Flashback to 2010, a time when local business leaders and community chiefs in East Africa realized how education had to be more than just numbers and letters.
To create a more impactful and 21st century relevant generation, we had to produce graduates that were nothing less than the most dynamic of change agents. To put forth new ideas, they’d have to have the confidence to be heard. To be effective after moving out of the classroom, they’d have to have the skills to make their ideas work. It would be an attempt at giving the hopeful and resilient youth tools to succeed in the real world. And more important, it would be handing them access to the keys they needed so that they could find their own way.
By looking at the big picture, Asante Africa Foundation designed its Leadership and Entrepreneurship Incubator (LEI) Program in a way that participants could continue on to create sustainable change by paying it forward. Since then, we have educated over 700 young people directly who in turn have educated over 100,000 additional young people and community members through at least 37 leadership clubs, 22 businesses, 5 community organizations, and 1 Kenyan Youth Life Skills radio program. All of this is credited to LEI alumni that stand as proof that we have the right formula.
While the challenge of putting together the resources LEI needs in Africa remains constant, there have been great opportunities of working alongside groups that dream the same dream. Social Capital Foundation, based in Europe, has recognized LEI’s unique strength of partnering with local professionals, companies, and universities and its emphasis on sustainable results. SCF Director, Laura DeVere, shares that our being interconnected is one of the reasons why we all have a stake in what happens in Africa. And because ”SCF has witnessed many first hand examples of the power of relatively modest investments in providing opportunities for families and entire communities,” they have pledged — for the 3rd year running — a 1:1 match program of up to $20,000 in support of LEI until August 31 of this year.
Every dollar you give comes to us doubled. It means that successfully raising $20,000 by August 31 is $40,000 that goes to doubling the number of youth who benefit from the training, the afterschool clubs, the social ventures started, and doubling the number of resilient skilled and talented future leaders standing tall.
“Each of the youth educated in our program is closely supported as they leave our program having the skills and ability to impact hundreds of additional lives. So for every dollar donated, hundreds, maybe even thousands of lives are made better.”
–Erna Grasz, CEO
You have contributed $9,000 to date. And we claim that your generosity will help us achieve the remaining $11,000 goal because every child deserves the opportunity to be the best they can be, regardless of where they are born and the humble beginnings they come from.
Gandhi once said “Be the change you want to see in this world.”
Start today.
