When I was 8 years old, I did something some may call unusual: I wrote a letter to the President of the United States. In the letter, I described the dangers of poaching, and its effects on animals, and urged him to take action. I was sure this would make an impact, as this letter became the first step in a long road of environmental activism. Spoiler alert: I never got a response.
Hi! I’m Orlyola Tantchou—climate activist, author, baker, and avid reader. Welcome to the parts of me you won’t find in pictures or bios.
Growing Up
Let’s start with a fun fact: I’m American, but I hail from Cameroon. My Cameroonian heritage is part of who I am—shaping my identity and sense of community. It is also the reason why I’m trilingual! While some kids might have felt shy bringing ethnic food to school lunches, I loved it, happily sharing beignets and other Cameroonian dishes with curious classmates. Food is one way I’ve always been able to celebrate my culture, no matter where I was.
Growing up, I didn’t exactly have a stationary childhood. We moved a lot, but each move became an adventure—a fresh start that gave me a positive outlook on life. When the judges handed me the 5th-grade spelling bee trophy, I felt like I was on top of the world. 10-year-old me felt a wave of joy as the winning word was “entrepreneur.” A word that had plagued me in the 4th-grade spelling bee, as I switched two letters. My trophy now serves as a symbol of resilience. A memory of a time when I didn’t let failure get me down but push me forward. Resiliency is now one of my core values that has propelled me to reach for the sky as though there is no limit.
Service, Climate Change Activism, and Writing
My three sisters and I have a love of service, and we know the importance of making a positive change in others’ lives. So, in 2018, I co-founded No Limit International with my sisters, a nonprofit dedicated to tackling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa.
During quarantine, I spent hours writing poems and stories—most of which ended up crumpled in my trash can. I convinced myself I wasn’t a “good enough” writer until I finally started writing about something I care about– climate change. Once I connected my passion for writing with my love for the planet, everything clicked. In high school, I decided it was important to spread my passion for climate change and writing. My book The Wildlife Warriors: Saving Their Habitats was born, and with it, the opportunity to make a difference and inspire kids to become wildlife warriors themselves. My goal is to take The Wildlife Warriors: Saving Their Habitats global, reaching students all over the world, and writing more books along the way.
More Fun Facts
● Three words to describe me: outgoing, creative, and determined.
● My favorite thing I’ve ever baked: salted caramel macarons.
● What languages do I speak? English, French, and Bangante.
● Secret talent: I’m double-jointed!
● My favorite candy: Twix.
● What instruments do I play: the piano and the guitar.
● Dream destination: Italy!
This is a little snippet of my life, and what I want to offer through my book. Thanks for reading a little about my journey so far—there’s a lot more to come!
