Empowering Change: My Journey from Angola to York—Tackling Climate Change, Empowering Women, and Advancing Sustainability Through Education and Innovation

Hello everyone,

My name is Sofonie Dala, and I’m truly excited to introduce myself to you. I’m a changemaker from Angola, where I have dedicated my life to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including education, poverty, human rights, gender equality, climate change and environmental sustainability. My work is deeply inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and I’m passionate about creating lasting change through education, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment.

In Angola, I founded a non-formal education hybrid platform that focuses on empowering out of school women and girls, providing them with tools and opportunities to develop personally and professionally. My platform emphasizes sustainability and social impact entrepreneurship, equipping women to address environmental issues and improve their livelihoods through eco-friendly solutions. I believe that by educating and supporting women, we can create a ripple effect that contributes to tackling global challenges like climate change.

I also work tirelessly to promote environmental awareness and solutions in my community, addressing key issues like biodiversity loss, food waste, climate change, global warming, plastic pollution, and sustainable living. My aim is to inspire a new generation of eco-conscious leaders.

One of the highlights of my journey has been receiving the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, which brought me here to the University of York, where I am pursuing my MSc in Environmental Sustainability, Education, and Communication. This opportunity has allowed me to deepen my understanding of sustainability issues and expand my efforts in addressing the global environmental crisis.

As a researcher and social media content creator, I use digital platforms to share educational content with communities that are unable to afford formal education. Through filmmaking, I bring attention to environmental issues and inspire action, particularly among young people.

To give you a lighter glimpse into life here at York, I’d love to share my blog post about Long Boi, our famous duck on campus! You can find the link to my blog https://sustainablelifestyle-angola.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-legacy-of-long-boi-analyzing.html and explore more of my work and projects.

https://youtu.be/4w4n0auq9UU

Also, if you'd like to follow my journey and not miss any of my upcoming videos on sustainability and other important topics, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@sofoniedala-youngtalents/videos. I’d love for you to join the conversation!

If you're interested in discussing sustainability, climate action, or content creation, feel free to connect with me. I’d be more than happy to share insights and collaborate with like-minded individuals.

Warm regards,
Sofonie Dala