The Paradox of Life

Over the last six months I've had the pleasure of getting to know President of Leader Development Group, David Bernard-Stevens.  In brief, David specialises in empowerment and self-leadership work, finding himself starting in Kenya.

Here is some of David's story:

Women for Justice in Africa (WOJA) is a Kenya-based non-government organization formed to promote women rights through education and training, capacity building for community women rights practitioners, strategic litigation, lobbying and advocacy.  Disability rights are mainstreamed in all programs.

WOJA were perplexed as far too many women who were working in the areas of abuse, rights, health etc. were returning to "the way things were before".  This was found to be true with most of the training held by NGOs, foundations, and organizations observed over time.

I cannot explain it except to say that I received a "calling" from the Universe or God and  woke up one day knowing that I was supposed to go to Kenya. I called WOJA, advised them I was coming and we set the dates for the training. When I was asked where I had found the money I told them simply that I hadn't but that I was coming, and that the rest would somehow work itself out. It did, as people from around the world heard of what I was going to do, and the money came in small bits via the internet.

The initial training I created was a life changer for both the women from Kibera and me. I then knew this was what I was supposed to do - go out into the world and take what I knew, and give it for "free" to those who did not have the ability or means to attend such training. I went back to Nebraska (my state in the USA), sold what little I had, earned enough to survive on my own for 2 years with no income, and began to build a leadership program from scratch that would serve the poor in a way that would give them the means, the tools, and the belief that they had it within themselves to create their future, their job or dream.

Funding such an endeavor was a challenge. The traditional way of going to foundations, businesses, and organizations for funds seemed to be a dead end as money was too little - with so many fighting each other for it. AND, there seemed to be no piece of essential or core leadership training within the programs of the "donor groups" that would create the reality of sustainability once the money and/or organization left...the same issue that WOJA had experienced earlier. There had to be a way to tap into enough income that could be used for the leadership program, with few strings and with deeper pockets. There just had to be a way.

So a new business model was created. In partnership with WOJA, we decided that I would simply approach businesses and organizations - NOT for donations or support for our program, but to offer to make them better...to build within their organization the type of environment and leadership that would not only sustain their efforts into the future, but establish a holistic leadership environment that would create results that other felt to be impossible. We would make them better, and in return the money we were paid would be plowed into two leadership programs: one for women continuing the purpose and vision of WOJA, and my own vision of taking the program out into the world.

I took a leap of faith. I leaped knowing what I was meant to attempt to do and into a void where there were no guarantees of success. It has been the most challenging thing I have ever attempted to do, but I can also tell you that it has been the happiest and meaningful time of my life.

I have been in Kenya now for most of 24 months and the seeds planted over these past few months are beginning to bear fruit. It is an exciting time filled with much work, hope, and meaning. There are no guarantees of course, but I am doing what I am supposed to do. I am where I am supposed to be and my life, and those that I am able to touch and impact, has meaning and purpose. And for me, that is all I could ever hope for in my life... doing what I KNOW I have always needed to do and to have an impact in the world helping people be all they were created to be. Life is hard right now, but it is so very very good at the same time. A paradox perhaps, but such is the nature of life and the universe.

[Here is a 5 minute documentary on the program, which was aired on a world news program called 'The African Journal'.  It was produced by A24 Media.]