“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive”
– Harold Whitman
I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world, but I didn’t know how.
One day I was talking to a friend who told me about a gentleman who was building a school in Uganda for 800 students and needed funding. The Garden of Knowledge (GOK) Nursery and Primary Day and Boarding Schools, Gulu, Uganda, East Africa were founded by Komakech Charles to pay forward to his community, for the education he received through the goodwill of a New York Rotary club and other well-wishers from the USA. GOK opened in 2015 with only 70 students, mostly from disadvantaged families.
I was very impressed with Mr. Charles’ work and I was delighted to find that it doesn’t take much money to build in Africa. I took on the project and was able to help the school get permits to open and house 800 students. I quickly realized that I had friends around the world who also wanted to help by contributing money and supplies to the school.
The mission of GOK is to promote a brighter future by building knowledge to the young generation. I aim to focus on education-based projects because I have seen first-hand how education transforms lives. This is something I believe to my core and I am currently creating a foundation to further this belief (more details to come soon!). This is what makes me come alive.
The building of GOK is about passion, compassion and love. It is a love story.
If you want to make a difference in the world, but don’t know how, I offer these words: Look at your skills and interests and go from there. Start with yourself, improve yourself and do the things you love, learn the value of change, accomplishment and happiness, then go and offer that to others. Wish for others what you wish for yourself, give them what has been given to you.
People have such big hearts. I’m falling in love with humanity.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
