OmniTRAX/Broe Quest Series
Charlotte Kudadirgwa
Charlotte Kudadirgwa has been studying International Development Studies at The University of Winnipeg and has just completed her three-year degree although she plans to further her education. Charlotte is a student from Zimbabwe and has been living in Canada since January of 2002.
She has a strong interest in community development and her first volunteer work was with the Canadian Red Cross working with the Youth Mine Action Awareness Program, which involved doing presentations in Winnipeg’s high schools on the dangers of producing and using landmines.
Charlotte got involved in the campaigns and elections for Maryanne Mahychuck in 2003 where she learnt a lot about the provincial political system. Working with a female politician encouraged her to work on issues affecting women particularly immigrant women.
In 2004, Charlotte did her practicum with the International African Child Relief and then worked for the organization upon completing her practicum. The work involved dealing with African immigrants practicing female genital mutilation and it was at this point that she began to develop an interest for community development.
Soon after this, Charlotte began a radio show called the Zion Train with Eugene Ansu of Ghana, with whom she will be presenting. They produce, direct, and host the show that airs every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on CKUW 95.9 fm. The purpose of the show is to discuss African issues that affect its people within the continent and abroad and serves as the platform for African youth to tell their own story. This show has been airing for a year now and has been receiving good reviews from students and the community as a whole.
Charlotte is currently on a contract with the Global College and is working on a project on the Canadian Diaspora Communities. She will be giving a presentation with Eugene Ansu today on their perspectives of war in Africa as youths who come from non-war affected countries.