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Our PURPOSE

Our mission is to provide friendly support and menstrual resources to girls affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through penpal connections and care packages. Through youth-led efforts we aim to raise awareness about the environment of the conflict as well as empowering Congolese girls.

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War Crimes In THe DEmocratic Republic of The COngo

According to the United Nations, over 1 MILLION women have been raped due to armed conflict in the DRC and 52% of women have been survivors of domestic violence.

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Collaborating with Organizations and Schools in DRC

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Meet the Team

  • GUINEVERE WOLSKI

    PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

    Guinevere Wolski is a junior at Brooklyn Technical High School in the Law and Society major. She founded the Urafiki Initiative in September of 2025 and now directs all strategy, partnerships, and management of the nonprofit. Guinevere’s passion for social justice and advocacy stems from her active participation as a youth researcher for the Localized History Project as well as competing on her schools debate team. 

    She strongly believes in youth-led change and utilizing her skills to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is deeply committed to empower girls in the Congo and uplift their stories through penpal connections!

  • KAYLEE PERSAD

    CO-LOGISTICS MANAGER

    Kaylee Persad is a junior at Brooklyn Technical High School in the Finance major. She is currently the co-logistics manager of The Urafiki Initiative and handles all financial affairs and fiscal matters. Kaylee's passion for social change and civil rights stems from her active participation as a youth demonstrator at Spotlight Dance Factory as well as competing on her school's public forum debate team. 

    She is a strong advocate for youth-led change and uses her financial skills to raise awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is deeply committed to empowering girls in the Congo, amplifying their stories through pen pal connections, as well spreading awareness on the humanitarian crisis that's been happening in Congo for almost 20 years. 

  • KIRA LI

    CO-LOGISTICS MANAGER

    Kira Li is a junior at Brooklyn Technical High School in the Chemical major. She is a co-logistics manager of The Urafiki Initiative, handling fundraising and penpal logistics. 

    She learned about the situation in Congo from the Urafiki Initiative because of its lack of media coverage in the mainstream. With the Urafiki Initiative, she hopes to empower girls in the Congo by connecting them with girls from New York City.

  • SOPHIA YOU

    HEAD OF TECH

    Sophia You is a junior at Brooklyn Technical High School in the Architecture major. She is currently the Head of Tech of The Urafiki Initiative managing, building, and designing the website and social medias. Sophia finds this organization as a building block for social change which is her main focus. Her efforts are also found in working as a facilitator at The New York Hall of Science and as a volunteer at Sean Casey Animal Rescue.

    In connection with her concern and advocation for social and political change, her role in The Urafiki Initiative is an active usage of advocation via social media posts, website updates and creation. Sophia is deeply empowered to make connections and allow girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to reach girls in New York City.