Celebrating Jennahvy: A Global Storyteller & Creative Force Behind ReCoding Vietnam

Jennahvy in Fanispan, Vietnam

At ROSA, we believe that the heartbeat of change lies in the people who carry their stories with purpose and compassion. Few embody this spirit more than Jennahvy Nguyen, whose journey from a refugee camp in Malaysia to leading creative classrooms in Tanzania and Vietnam is nothing short of inspiring.

Born in a refugee camp in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Vietnamese parents, Jennahvy’s early years were defined by courage and resilience. Migrating to the United States at the age of eight with her single mother, she found home first in San Jose, California, and later in Fort Worth, Texas. She returned to California at 19, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Business (Marketing) at Cal State University, East Bay.

While her early education reflected the immigrant ethos of seeking stability, Jennahvy’s heart always beat to the rhythm of creativity. “I was always drawn to the arts—photography, storytelling, teaching,” she shared. In her twenties, she crafted a lifestyle centered around travel and purpose, setting out to visit 50 countries by the age of 30—a goal she triumphantly achieved at 32. Her travels took her to places like Nicaragua, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, where her explorations were rooted not only in discovery but in service.

Jennahvy posing with her cover story at the Canva Create 2025 Conference in Los Angeles, US

Jennahvy first connected with ReCoding Africa through a childhood best friend and in early 2024 she began her volunteer journey with ROSA as our Social Media Specialist.  Inspired by ROSA’s vision and mission, she joined the summer 2024 volunteer team as a digital journaling teacher in a high school in Tanzania, using Canva to help students share their stories visually. Just six months after her teaching debut in Africa, Jennahvy became the face of Canva at their Canva Create 2025 Conference in LA, a full-circle moment that illustrated the growing reach of her influence as an educator and creative.

But her experience wasn’t just about teaching. “I was also a constant student,” she said. “I was learning something new every single hour. The indescribable feeling I would get, wishing my family and friends could experience it with me, was a mix of joy, awe, and a deep sense of connection.”

Jennahvy credits the supportive environment created by the ReCoding Africa team, especially co-founders Mariarosy and Linda, for helping her thrive in her role. “They offered open space for brainstorming, feedback, and encouragement that gave us the confidence to teach from the heart.”

Jennahvy teaching at Ghomme Secondary School in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

As she pursues a multi-faceted career as a model, actress, event planner, consultant, and creative entrepreneur, Jennahvy continues to push boundaries—both for herself and for others. From being behind the lens to commanding attention in front of it, she sees the world as a canvas and her work as an invitation to see life through a more vibrant, human lens.

And her passion for education hasn’t faded. When she shared her dream of bringing ReCoding Africa to her ancestral homeland, Vietnam, ROSA Executive Director, Mariarosy Calleri, listened—and together, they are launching ReCoding Vietnam in Lang Son, continuing the legacy of creative empowerment across continents.

Thank you, Jennahvy, for everything you bring to ROSA and the global community we are building—one story, one student, one spark at a time.