My Time in Africa
With Kelechi Anuna
This October, I was privileged to visit some of our leaders who are investing in their communities through education, agriculture, and holistic formation.
One moment that truly captured this came at the New Dawn Educational Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Run by an incredible leader named Mrs. Irene and her daughter Tabitha, the school stands as a beacon of hope for children from nearby slums. What struck me most was how these students are encouraged not to be defined by where they come from, but to see their experiences as fuel — fuel to better themselves, their families, and their futures.
At New Dawn, education goes far beyond the classroom. The students are diving into STEM, computer science, languages, and sports, and you can see the pride in their eyes as they talk about what they’re learning. When I spoke with some of the older students preparing for their final exams, they shared dreams of going to university and creating opportunities for their families. In that moment, it became clear that what we’re investing in isn’t just a school - it’s a generation of leaders ready to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
That same spirit of transformation was alive in Uganda, where I met Geoffrey Ocan, the leader of Common Ground African Leadership. What stood out most about Geoffrey’s work is how something as tangible as coffee farming is reshaping the entire community’s future. Instead of viewing people as recipients of aid, Geoffrey and his team are equipping them to become entrepreneurs - to plant, grow, and sustain their own livelihoods.
Through acres of coffee fields, they’re cultivating more than crops; they’re cultivating dignity, ownership, and vision. Geoffrey’s approach goes beyond offering classes or short-term relief. He’s redefining what it means to help Africa by walking alongside people as they build businesses that will last for generations. His leadership challenges the old narratives - proving that the real key to transformation is found in local leadership and sustainable opportunity.
As I visited programs across Kenya and Uganda, from New Dawn’s classrooms in Nairobi to the coffee farms in Gulu and community initiatives in Adjumani, my understanding of what we’re truly investing in deepened. It’s not about building things people don’t need or offering temporary help. It’s about truly investing in lives and futures.
In Kenya, I saw how our support in education and sports is shaping the next generation with confidence and purpose. In Uganda, I met Jennifer, who works with children overcoming trauma, helping them heal and rediscover hope. Even in places like Olia Prison, I witnessed transformation reaching into every corner of the community. Each encounter reminded me that this work is about long-term, life-changing impact, the kind that ripples outward through generations.
That’s what it truly means to fuel Africa’s leaders. It’s not just about funding projects; it’s about empowering people with the vision and capacity to create lasting change. Your support makes that possible. Every gift you give becomes a catalyst — allowing local leaders to act now, meet urgent needs, and build something that will endure.
Because when we invest in people, we invest in progress. And when we choose to walk alongside Africa’s leaders, we help light the path toward a future filled with dignity, opportunity, and hope.
Everywhere I went, one theme stood out: commitment. The leaders I met are deeply dedicated to their communities - they understand the challenges, hopes, and dreams of their people because they live them every day. And from our African Leadership team’s side, that same commitment shows up in how we walk alongside them. We don’t just visit and leave; we invest time, resources, and partnership to help them shape a sustainable future. Together, we’re in it for the long haul - working side by side to transform communities from within.