An Interview With Johan Sifa

Johan first learned about Changemakers through Cultivating Communities, a non-profit youth based organization with various programs. She was a part of their summer program where she grew plants and in the fall cooked and delivered the plants they harvested and prepared for homeless and elderly folks. Her former boss at Cultivating Communities informed her about the Changemakers Gathering event and encouraged her to apply. Her first Gathering was in 2018 and she was a part of the planning team. 

Johan enjoyed her first Gathering, she got to sleep on bunk beds with other participants and meet people from different arrears of Maine, she formed a deeper connection with individuals. The Gathering was her first time in an intergenerational space. When divided into age groups it was an eye-opening and inspiring experience, she was a high-schooler at the time so witnessing how high schoolers come together and think outside of the box was unique.

In many of the spaces Johan was a part of, adults usually took the lead and she loved the way Chanegmakers allow young people to have a voice. Although there were many older people Johan still felt heard during Changemakers meetings. She knew everyone cared about what she had to say and was never rushed, she felt welcomed. When she was speaking it was as if she had a spotlight on her the entire time. When Johan wants Changemakers to have more opportunities for youth who want to learn more about the organization. People who are connecting and are aware about the issues are the ones that continue to stay involved. Johan had friends that were interested in joining the network but had zero knowledge, holding events like a brief history of the organization and teaching issues that are most important in the organization to allow newcomers to dip their toes into social impact would benefit many youth that want to get involved but don’t know where to start. 

Johan is currently a junior at Champlain College studying international business. She hoped to get her masters and start a career where she is able to put everything she learned in school and at Changemakers into practice. She is also interested in working closely with children. The importance of working with and educating children while they are young will leave an impact and transform them into Changemakers. 

Her specialty in Changemakers was food justice. She grew up in a community where food brought everyone together. She knows how important it is to get fed. Changemakers enabled her to think consciously, like recycling her water bottle when she is done with it, not to be wasteful and to always think about the environment.

Changemakers has shown Johan different parts of her personality she wasn’t aware of, like compassion and caring about the environment. It allowed Johan to step outside of her shy personality and put herself out there. As well as improve her leadership and presenting skills. 

Johan envisions Changemakers to continue growing and in the next five years be known across the globe and be run by young people who know what they are fighting for. 

-Interview conducted by Idey Abdi