We’re approaching the summer camp season at Camp Rising Sun! Your donation today will help us provide opportunities for experiential learning to the young people in our programs throughout this summer and beyond. By giving to LAJF and CRS, you partnering with our staff members, like Nzali, who are working to ensure our campers have unforgettable experiences while developing compassionate leadership skills. Learn more about Nzali’s approach to working with our campers and what she is looking forward to this summer.

Name: Nzali Nyangu

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Kitwe, Zambia

What do you hope campers will gain from their experience at Camp Rising Sun this summer?

I hope campers will be able to: 

• Interact with each other and learn as well as develop appreciation for different cultures  

• Learn, reflect, and take necessary action towards world problems

• Develop practical leadership abilities that will enable them to become compassionate and responsible leaders 

• Form lasting friendships as well as networks that will help them navigate this world

As a staff member, how do you view your role in facilitating the growth and learning processes for our campers?

I see my role as a priceless opportunity to facilitate and nurture the growth of young minds who will be able to address key issues the world is facing with the view of making this world a better place. Although CRS has been in existence for years, its mission is still relevant and I feel privileged to be part of a “movement” that will help develop compassionate and responsible leaders which is a rare combination in the world we live in.

What are you most excited for when thinking about this summer?

Apart from the opportunity to interact with individuals from different parts of the world and learning from their experience, I look forward to learning how I can help students back home develop similar ideologies, for this will help uplift a number of learners and increase their confidence, knowing that they can make a difference in this world despite their circumstances. There are a number of things I am looking forward to since this is my first time attending camp!

What does being a compassionate leader mean to you?

I view a compassionate leader as an individual who has the capacity to practice empathy — the ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes. This enables one to  connect to others and explore different perspectives before making a well-informed  decision. 

Additionally, a compassionate leader engages in introspection — examining how their  actions affect the world around them. This leads to thoughtful decisions that have a  lasting impact.  

Furthermore, such a leader is a team player. As a result of this one is able to communicate their ideas openly, but respectfully; embrace the participation of others, including those they may not agree with; accepting new ideas and perspectives.

Your support helps to fuel the transformative experiences that our campers will have this summer at Camp Rising Sun.