Christine Biyoga is originally from Burundi and is proud mother of 3 wonderful children. She is an early childhood educator and dedicated Portland Empowered Parent Ambassador. She speaks French, Swahili, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda and Lingala.
Christine Biyoga is originally from Burundi and is proud mother of 3 wonderful children. She is an early childhood educator and dedicated Portland Empowered Parent Ambassador. She speaks French, Swahili, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda and Lingala.
Spoken Languages: French, English, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda
Nolasque believes that Portland Empowered uses an essential approach for connecting schools and communities, face to face interaction, with an innovative tool for engagement- shared space café. This approach allows for positive discussions amongst different partners in education about how to improve the education system and increase chances for success of our young people. Nolasque believes that spreading awareness about education and related opportunities for children is the key to a bright future for our community and others all over the world. Nolasque has 3 children who attended Portland Schools.
Swathi joined the Portland Empowered team in 2023, and is primarily supporting Portland Empowered’s strategic visioning and planning process. Based out of the Catherine Cutler Institute at USM, Swathi manages and supports a range of initiatives, all working to create consistent and accessible pathways for young people to meaningfully participate in local and state-level decision making.
Swathi’s entry to youth-led advocacy and systems change was as a middle school science teacher. Swathi was inspired every day by the strength and conviction of her students’ voices as they proposed creative, compassionate solutions to the injustices surrounding them. From her students’ activism and her training in Kingian nonviolence, Swathi learned to believe fiercely in the power of collective action. She is so excited to work alongside young people who care about each other and about bettering Maine’s schools.
These days, Swathi is spending lots of time with her new baby. Together, they are exploring new hikes, singing and dancing, and lounging with their cats.