Converting Passions To Profits-ThinkAfrik

Co-founder of ThinkAfrik and member with students

A couple of weeks back, I had the privilege of being invited to be a part of a new age of critically thinking, new innovation-oriented, and empowering company heralded by two of the most amazing young men that I know. Thinkafrik is a fully owned Ghanaian company that seeks to promote subsidiary projects, educational outreach projects; which varies from scholarships awarded to needy but brilliant children (Unlike other scholarships, the Thinkafrik scholarship, when awarded can be retracted if the pupil/student does not keep up with his school work, and /or their grades fall. This is to make sure that, students and schools keep up and put their best foot forward at all times), provision of school learning materials to deserving, yet deprived schools, and mentally enhancing but FUN recess materials to schools, and community outreach projects which involves identifying and helping desolate communities and empowering them with basic and practical ways of improving their livelihood. However, Thinkafrik is not a Non-Governmental Organisation but rather an entrepreneurial business that seeks to create change within the continent, and enhance the lives of the African people, especially the youth.

members on an outreach program

ThinkAfrik

WHAT IS THEIR VISION?

Thinkafrik was borne from the need to help improve upon the state of mind of the African youth-ergo, stop depending on someone to help you and help yourself, turn your passions into profits, change your life using the resources that our beautiful motherland is blessed with.

WHAT IS THEIR MISSION?

 Founded by Dennis Kofi Borti and Emmanuel Godi, this company looks to empower young minds with the necessary  technical expertise and tools to finding innovative, alternative, and sustainable solutions to Africa’s challenging problems which will go on to hitherto improve the lives of the people. It also looks to providing alternative and renewable energy supplements for Africa’s energy deficiency gap by using the natural resources that is abound on this continent .i.e. wind turbines, solar energy and bio-gas. They also seek to create waste management projects to help reduce environmental issues that arise from incessantly disposing off plastic and human waste; case in point, the recent devastations caused by the floods that hit Accra on the 3^rd of June. Thinkafrik has technical and operations support for students in basic and high schools through outreach programs in the sciences (agricultural, engineering, computer, and aerospace dynamics), and the Thinkfarm program for tertiary institutions. They also seek to invest through partnerships in diverse markets and fields.

cross section of students from Kanvilii Presby School

ThinkAfrik at Bagabaga demonstration sch

THE LAUNCH IN TAMALE

After launching its first and second hubs in Accra, and Kumasi respectively, the Thinkafrik Tamale hub was unveiled. The launch was attended by some very prominent people in the metropolitan area. Here, the outline and organisational structure of the company was explained to the members. The whole purpose of creating a company like Thinkafrik was explained and the expectations from the people who are going to be a part of this experience were outlined. Executives were picked out and introduced to the people, and an agenda was set. As with the other hubs, the hub in Tamale is to identify challenges facing communities, and schools within the region, and seek out innovative ways and means to solve them. Over the weeks, the Thinkafrik team visited schools as a way of introducing the company to the public. They went ahead to present school learning materials such as books, stationary, footballs, school uniforms, T-shirts and many more and scholarships to deserving schools and students within the metropolis.

The schools included the Kanvilii Presby Experimental School, the Bagabaga Demonstration Primary school. They also visited a community in the Sagnarigu District, Kpene, to present some water storage facilities to its inhabitants. As with the other schools, some school learning materials, and uniforms, as well as footballs were given to the community school. An experiment was done to showcase how dirty water can be processed to become clean for drinking and free from germs and diseases. This was undertaken to educate the students in the community school and to enable them to try it at their homes and also teach their household how to keep clean drinking water. Here too, presentations of scholarships were provided the o the needy but brilliant students of the school.

 Members of ThinkAfrik at Kpene community to meet and introduce themselves to the community's chief and his people

 Co-founder of ThinkAfrik, Emmanuel Godi, making a presentation of water gallons to the assemblyman of Kpene community. Some members of ThinkAfrik in the back shot.

#jointhedream

 The team visited the community school to make some donations which included uniforms, books, pens and others.

Kofi Borti leading an experiment on the filteration of dirty water to clean water.

 Rafael and Rafiu showing the differences between dirty water before filtration and clean water after filtration.

 ThinkAfrik- converting passions into profits. #jointhedream #empoweringyoungminds #passionstoprofits #innovativeminds

To know more about ThinkAfrik follow them on

 Twitter @ThinkAfrik
Instagram @ThinkAfrik
Facebook facebook.com\thinkafrik

Inspirational Wednesday

How you doing this morning loves? Hope y'all are having a good a good week thus far.
Today's inspiration is about being happy. Regardless of the situation you find yourself, you have to be a happy person. Don't know where to start? I got you *in Cookie's voice*

Don't be afraid to show who you truly are, because as long as you are happy, no one's opinion really matters anymore.

To be happy, you need to accept where you are in life and making the most of everyday. It spares you tonnes of unwanted stress.

Decide what matters most to you; do it. Decide who matters most to you, spend time with them. Decide to be happy, be.

Don't say you are happy because everything is going fine, be happy because while everything is complicated, you are still doing fine.

The talent of being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have.

Be happy, so that when others look at you, they become happy too.

The best makeup is your smile, there is no beauty like the one that comes from inside of you.

Now and then, it's ok to pause in our pursuit of happiness, and just be happy.

Once you learn how to be happy, you will not tolerate being around people who make you feel anything less.

Smile, it's charity, and it looks good on you.

Have a wonderful week.

xo

Inspirational Wednesday

Hey loves!, it's another Wednesday, and the week seems to be flying past us like the wind, you probably are trying hard to keep up, aren't you? You may be losing hope too but don't worry I'm here to help ease the mid-week blues with these words of encouragement.

Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn't give you credit. Keep pushing, at the end of the day, you would not have to look to them to validate you, but you will be proud of your own self.

Don't be stressed cause you do not know the future; the best way to get to know your future is to create the future that you want.

The stress and struggle you are going through today, is making you strong for your tomorrow. So keep on keeping on.

Don't wait to regret something that you should have done now, in five years. Do something now that your five years future self will thank you for.

Don't sit on your back side and expect things to happen, get your butt up and go out there and make things happen for yourself; that way, you control what happens to you and your life.

Stay positive, stay fighting, stay brave, stay ambitious, stay focused, stay strong, and at the end of the road, you will stay stunttin'

Who is awesome? You, of course! Boost your self esteem every morning and your day will be brighter than a diamond.

They say when a door closes, another opens, but what if it doesn't open? Well, there is the window, climb through it. period.

If plan 'A' didn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters, keep running through them all till you get to where you are going.

At the end of the day, know that God will NEVER give you a burden you cannot handle, so look to Him ALWAYS.

And Smile, it is good for you, and of course, it is Charity. Keep smiling.
Love!

xo

Inspirational Wednesday

Hey loves, I know its been a while since you last heard from me, I had some issues to smooth out, but now that I'm back....I MISSED YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH!! I know my colleagues at work are jubilating cause I'm back to blogging which means less stress for them; I had to find something doing while I was away, and they were the nearest, so don't fault me too much. Lol. It's Wednesday, which has taken me by surprise, cause I feel the week just run past me; but it's good tho, and of course, it's a positive type of morning for me, so I'm going to be sharing it with y'all...

So, you know how the first thought you have in the mornings can have a trickle down effect on the rest of your day? Yeah, to have a good day, always try to have a positive thought in your head when you wake up, it can brighten your whole day, and make it more bearable.

Just because something isn't happening for you right now, doesn't mean that it will never happen. So be patient, for patience moves mountains.

Being positive doesn't mean you are ignoring the negative, being positive means you are overcoming the negative. Don't despair, be positive always.

If something bad happens, you have three choices; you can either let it define you, let it destroy you, are let it strengthen you.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they make the best out of everything.

Your mind is a very powerful tool, when you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change, for the best.

 Do the best you can, until you know better; then when you know better, do better.

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit. Period.

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times; if one only remembers to turn on the light.

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get the chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it'd be easy; but then again, it will be worth the while.

Repeat this to yourself every morning: 'I will embrace change, because as awkward as it feels, I know I'm being prepared for something bigger and better'. Change does come, albeit slow, most of the time.

And last, but of course not the least, smile; it makes everything easier, and know that God does not give you what you cannot shoulder, never. So be positive each time, regardless the situation.

Have a blessed week and weekends. Stay smiling and positive. Love

xo

Inspirational Wednesday

It's Wednesday loves, and I'm here with your weekly dose of inspirational messages to help us, both, make it through the remaining days of the week. Today is all about keeping your eyes on the prize. We all get that point in our lives, where we feel like our priorities are slipping, and we are losing sight of our goals, and ambition; and we need some pick-me up at some point. Well, I hope these quotes help you get through:

For one, we must know that obstacles are the things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goals, so there is no need to fear them, just tell yourself that they are a passing feeling that you will overcome, and keep it moving.

When you find your attention being diverted, and the panic starts to weave its way into your system, remind yourself that you are too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated. Shake it off, and get your butt to work :)

When that feeling off doom sets in, remember that bad situations build strong people, and trying times improves upon our tolerance. Don't let it crack you down; our forefathers didn't let the crack of the whip stop them for fighting for freedom, did they? 

How are you sure that you are on the right track, and that you are working towards achieving your goals? It is when you feel dizzy, out of breath, feel like vomiting, and can't remember your name.

Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something. You got a dream, you have to protect it. People are going to tell you, you can't do something just because they couldn't do it; don't let them distract you from your prize. You want something, go get it. Period.

One thing you have to remember though is, success doesn't happen overnight; you have to put in the work. You have to be okay about making mistakes, bad mistakes, but then again, you have to be able to pick yourself up from that and move forward, with your eyes still being on the prize. Even if you have to crawl towards the finishing line, crawl; just don't give up.

You know how we are sometimes in a hurry and want things to happen yesterday? Discipline yourself to want what you want the most (the end result), not what you want now, cause now may just be temporary.

Look forward with hope not backward with regret.

Stay focused on your destination, see every opportunity as golden, even if your path may seem stormy today, the sun will definitely shine on you tomorrow, because you never gave up.

One thing we have to keep in mind too is that, in between our goals is this thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed. Don't let your life slip by because you were to busy focusing on your goals; sometimes, stop and smell the flowers.

In all things though, you have to give thanks and be grateful for each and every thing that has happened and is happening to you, regardless the situation. Someone wishes to be in your position; so remember to be grateful.

And keep smiling, that is one thing we have been blessed with. It can brighten someone else's day, which will end up being a blessing for you too. And hey, it's charity too!

Hope you have a blessed rest-of-week, loves!!!

xo

Inspiration Wednesday

Hey loves! Its been a while I posted a Wednesday Inspirational piece; sorry about that, been so busy, really. But not to worry, I got you today. Today is about dealing with pain and still being hopeful at the same time. Pain is meant to be felt, and so is hope, do not stifle them, but rather embrace them fully and go through the emotions. Love

''When her pain is fresh and new, let her have it. Don’t try to take it away. Forgive yourself for not having that power. Grief and pain are like joy and peace; they are not things we should try to snatch from each other. They’re sacred. They are part of each person’s journey. All we can do is offer relief from this fear: I am all alone. That’s the one fear you can alleviate.”

“Consider that you radiate. At all times. Consider that what you’re feeling right now is rippling outward into a field of is-ness that anyone can dip their oar into. You are felt. You are heard. You are seen. If you were not here, the world would be different. Because of your presence, the universe is expanding.”

“She was having a hard time managing her feelings at this point, mostly because she hadn’t felt them in so long—they confused her… After you’ve been numbed for a while, disorientation is a natural reaction as you come back around. It’s like waking up from anesthesia and not knowing exactly where you are.”

“But what if we took it one step further and made an effort to actually transform our pain into something beautiful? What if we went full out and made an effort to transform other people’s pain into something beautiful?”

“Stop worrying about your identity and concern yourself with the people you care about, ideas that matter to you, beliefs you can stand by, tickets you can run on. Intelligent humans make those choices with their brain and hearts and they make them alone. The world does not deliver meaning to you. You have to make it meaningful… and decide what you want and need and must do. It’s a tough, unimaginably lonely and complicated way to be in the world. But that’s the deal: you have to live; you can’t live by slogans, dead ideas, clichés, or national flags. Finding an identity is easy. It’s the easy way out

“I learned a long time ago that life introduces young people to situations they are in no way prepared for, even good girls, lucky girls who want for nothing. Sometimes, when you least expect it, you become the girl in the woods. You lose your name because another one is forced on you. You think you are alone until you find books about girls like you. Salvation is certainly among the reasons I read. Reading and writing have always pulled me out of the darkest experiences in my life. Stories have given me a place in which to lose myself. They have allowed me to remember. They have allowed me to forget. They have allowed me to imagine different endings and better possible worlds.”

“And I felt like my heart had been so thoroughly and irreparably broken that there could be no real joy again, that at best there might eventually be a little contentment. Everyone wanted me to get help and rejoin life, pick up the pieces and move on, and I tried to, I wanted to, but I just had to lie in the mud with my arms wrapped around myself, eyes closed, grieving, until I didn’t have to anymore.”

 

“Hope is not about proving anything. It’s about choosing to believe this one thing; that love, is bigger than any grim, bleak shit anyone can throw at us.”

“Part of me loves and respects men so desperately, and part of me thinks they are so embarrassingly incompetent at life and in love. You have to teach them the very basics of emotional literacy. You have to teach them how to be there for you, and part of me feels tender toward them and gentle, and part of me is so afraid of them, afraid of any more violation.”

 

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”

“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”

“How far have you walked for men who’ve never held your feet in their laps? How often have you bartered with bone, only to sell yourself short? Why do you find the unavailable so alluring? Where did it begin? What went wrong? And who made you feel so worthless? If they wanted you, wouldn’t they have chosen you? All this time, you were begging for love silently, thinking they couldn’t hear you, but they smelt it on you, you must have known that they could taste the desperate on your skin? And what about the others that would do anything for you, why did you make them love you until you could not stand it? How are you both of these women, both flighty and needful? Where did you learn this, to want what does not want you? Where did you learn this, to leave those that want to stay?”

Don't let the pain shroud you, let the hope for tomorrow be brighter than your fear of today. And keep smiling. It lessens so many more burdens than you can imagine.

Keep smiling, love

xo