Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Oct 2014 – OKongo Samson

A few years ago, during our trip to Ghana with a team from the USA, while training local leaders about empowerment and how they could holistically transform their lives and community from inside out by integrating their spiritual and physical needs, we met a young man who become a blessing to us and his community as well.

As we emphasizing the importance of participating and taking ownership of the change in their heart and the life they live in their community a young man, Zakari Abdi, came to me and Scott, who was part of the team, and shared his heart and passion with us and the initiative he has been considering. He found U4A’s approach and strategies appealing and enabling. He liked how these approached would help him to be responsible and accountable. He felt invested in his community and he shared his need of a small financial gift to start a micro – business. The business was a Saloon shop that would help support his family, of which none were employed, and allow him to give back to the community as his effort multiplied.

 

Later that same day Scott and I discussed Zakari’s request and his passion in leadership among his people. In partnership with our local leaders we helped buy him a piece of equipment worth $45. We later gave him a loan for $39 for his saloon business.

Today after 4 yrs, Zakari’s business has grown and he now owns the building where he operates his business. He has hired and trained 4 people, from his community, to work in the business. His family and community are benefiting from this small business. Zakari has been able to train other people in his community, using U4A’s approach and strategies, thus multiplying the knowledge he received to others in his community. He now stands as a witness for community transformation as his business and faith are growing. He uses this platform as an example to others, that they too can have transformed lives and positively impact their communities.

Zakari is helping lead his community with the empowerment strategies he learned. Others are seeing that they too can empower themselves to accomplish their dreams by turning from constant dependence on outside resources and uniting together. This type of leadership is changing lives, spiritually and physically, and influencing positive change within communities.

Zakari and his wife of two years are currently caring for 3 orphans from the community at their home providing safe shelter, food and education. When people in the community are empowered they will sponsor their own within the community. I was personally blessed when Zakari and his family hosted me at their home for 5 days during short mission trip last year.

Unite 4 Africa is about empowering people and their community to transform themselves in both spiritual and physical ways. Would you please consider partnering with us as we continue to make a difference in the lives of people in communities throughout Africa, who in turn then bless their communities?

Thank you and may God bless you mightily

Okongo Samson.