While we head toward the second cycle of Together for a new Africa Project, we move with a lot of gratitude and happiness as we look at and receive stories such as the one of Angel Elizabeth Nalumansi, participant of the pilot project from Uganda. She is a graduate from Makerere University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree of arts in social sciences with a special focus in international relations and gender studies and looking to continue with her education
” In 2019 after my first phase of the T4NA leadership I was propelled to start my volunteering journey with the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation to ensure good health and well being for the children battling with cancer. Since then to date, we have helped more than 100 children survive medication abandonment and also get basic day to day needs. This was extremely helpful after the lockdowns that were enforced because of Covid 19 which left many parents with insufficient funds to sustain their families
Inability to access medical services is painful to witness and sometimes experience, so the ability to help someone survive this is extremely fulfilling. The Uganda Child Cancer Foundation has till date played a very significant role in ensuring proper health care for the children battling with cancer. I shall forever be glad to the team for letting me join them on the cause.”Utters Angel when talking about her experience with Together for a new Africa.
She affirms that Together for a new Africa has shaped her understanding of the word leadership and what it stands for :”T4NA brought me to the understanding that I don’t have to be a president or political officer to be a leader and so currently I’m leading a team of individuals that support street survivors with soft skills such as arts and crafts & leadership skills and mentoring; this is to help with poverty eradication in our society. Poverty is tough to witness and sometimes experience, so as individuals we have to play our part to curb it.
In addition to this, the qualities of a leader were shared with us during the T4NA training and this has greatly influenced my conduct amongst my peers. A true leader gives an example to those around him through his actions. For example, it is not typical of a leader to dispose of rubbish without considering its effect on the environment.”
When the pandemic Covid_19 broke and destabilized the world and everyone’s life, Angel discovered a sad reality that she could not turn her back on. “The Covid_19 period was associated with lots of domestic violence and gender inequality which has affected many women till date so it is important to encourage and empower them in any way we can. I am a writer and T4NA has given me a platform to share with its readers about gender equality and also empower women out there.”
For Angel,the last four years with T4NA have been a journey of self discovery and mindfulness on the role an individual can play in changing for the better the society. “ Together For a New Africa leadership training really played a significant role in shaping me into the person I am today. I shall forever remain indebted to carry on this knowledge and the skills acquired to others in the spirit of Ubuntu.”
She also said that the exposure she got from T4NA helped her build her network. At the moment she has picked interest in the crisis affecting the continent of Africa: “with my research I have discovered Google in Africa, UN Women, Facebook etc have shared goals and interest in communities and upskilling citizens; this I look forward to being part of”.
Wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing it with us