Aya Project
Meet the People Behind AYA
Carrie Lyn Kangah, MS, RN, MSNE
Co-Founder & President
Director of Community Engagement
Registered Nurse • Educator • Humanitarian • Team Leader
Carrie Kangah is the co-founder and president of AYA Project, where she is dedicated to building meaningful relationships and creating opportunities alongside communities in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
For more than 25 years, Carrie has served as a registered nurse, educator, and healthcare leader. Her experience in emergency nursing, nursing education, leadership, and global health has shaped her belief that lasting change begins with compassion, respect, and genuine human connection.
What began as a visit to her husband Yao's homeland soon became a lifelong journey. Through the people, culture, and communities of Côte d'Ivoire, Carrie discovered a second home and a calling to help build bridges between cultures through service, education, and friendship.
Today, she leads AYA Project's community engagement, volunteer experiences, fundraising initiatives, and international service teams. Her passion is helping others discover the beauty, resilience, and heart of Côte d'Ivoire while working alongside local communities to create opportunities that inspire lasting change.
Carrie believes that service is not a one-way act of giving, but an opportunity to learn, grow, and be transformed by the relationships we build along the way.
"I believe the greatest impact isn't measured by what we give, but by the relationships we build, the lessons we learn, and the lives we change—including our own."
Contact
📧 ayaprojectcares@gmail.com
📧 carriekangah4@gmail.com
📞 (315) 297-6645
Yao Jules Kangah
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Director of Community Partnerships
Youth Leadership & Peace Initiative Coordinator
Yao Kangah was born and raised in Côte d'Ivoire, where he developed a deep appreciation for family, community, and the values that continue to guide his life today.
As co-founder of AYA Project, Yao's greatest joy is welcoming others to his homeland and sharing the people, traditions, and experiences that shaped him. Through every journey, he hopes visitors discover the true heart of Côte d'Ivoire—not through headlines or stereotypes, but through genuine friendships, vibrant communities, and unforgettable experiences.
A lifelong athlete and leader, Yao proudly represented Côte d'Ivoire in international karate competitions. His passion for sports has inspired AYA Project's youth leadership initiatives, including the annual Peace Soccer Tournament, where sports become a way to encourage teamwork, unity, healthy living, and peace among young people.
Yao believes that lasting change begins with relationships. Whether sharing a meal with neighbors, introducing visitors to local traditions, or working alongside community leaders, he is committed to building bridges between cultures and creating opportunities that strengthen communities on both sides of the ocean.
His greatest hope is that everyone who visits Côte d'Ivoire leaves with a deeper understanding of its people, its beauty, and the incredible spirit that makes it feel like home.
"Home is not just where I was born. It is the people who continue to welcome me—and now welcome others—with open hearts."
Contact
Jenifer Bouchard, RN
Co-Founder & Secretary
Director of Humanitarian Programs
Skin & Wound Care Coordinator
Jenifer Bouchard has been part of AYA Project since its very beginning, helping shape the organization through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving others.
A registered nurse with specialized experience in skin and wound care, Jenifer has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of those in her care. Her passion for humanitarian service began during her first international mission trip, an experience that profoundly changed her perspective and strengthened her desire to make a meaningful difference.
Since then, Jenifer has traveled internationally to share her knowledge, providing education on basic wound care, infection prevention, and health promotion while working alongside local communities with respect and compassion.
As Secretary of AYA Project, Jenifer plays an essential role in guiding the organization, coordinating humanitarian initiatives, and supporting the volunteers and community partnerships that make AYA's mission possible.
For Jenifer, service is about more than providing care—it's about building trust, sharing knowledge, and creating relationships that continue long after the journey ends.
"One act of kindness may seem small, but when it is shared with compassion, it has the power to change lives—including our own."