Belinda Akongo, Ubuntu ChangeMaker, Ghana
"I have to continue these projects until I die. I have to do them anytime, anywhere, all the time."
Meet Belinda Akongo, 31 year-old Ghanaian ChangeMaker. I met Belinda, who goes by Eli, through Antoinette
of International. Eli lives in Accra, the capital, with her 3-month old daughter Ariana and husband.She is a volunteer with Ubuntu International (read more about the Spirit of Ubuntu documentary here), an employee of Vision Fund Ghana (a subsidiary of Vision Fund in partnership with the international nonprofit World Vision), and an active giver and doer in her community.
It is Eli’s individual acts of compassion and giving in the spirit of Ubuntu that we highlight together here.
Ubuntu-{oǒ’boǒntoō|}is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It is often described as reminding us that ‘I am, because you are” or ‘I am, because WE are”. In a philosophical sense it promotes the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity”. From Ubuntu International.
Belinda’s Backstory - The Makings of an Individual ChangeMaker
Eli comes from a family of three children; she has two brothers. She was raised in a Christian background and attended all years of primary and secondary schooling. After school, life became difficult. Coming from a poor home her options were limited.
In Ghana, all students have to provide one year of national service after secondary school. She was posted to an electro-processing commission but didn’t have the money to afford rent close by to her service assignment. She had to live instead in Nima, one of the most impoverished neighborhoods surrounding Accra, Ghana (Nima is located five miles from the center of Accra).
Discovering Urantia and Antoinette Rootsdawtah
Eli first met Antoinette of Ubuntu through Antoinette’s Urantia reading group. The Urantia book teaches that we should not discriminate, but should love all people no matter what.
Eli loves reading and attending positive programs. While surfing the internet one day in 2018, Eli saw there was a free Urantia conference at Africa Regents Hotel in Accra, hosted by Antoinette Rootsdawtah and her husband, Pato Baton, who are both Urantia teachers.
After attending the program, Eli met Antoinette and they hit it off. Eli started asking questions about Urantia, eager for answers. Antoinette was curious about Eli too. Eli explained where she lived and the inhumane living conditions in Nima. Antoinette wanted to visit Nima; the two decided to go to Nima together to deliver essentials to an orphanage. When Antoinette left Ghana to return to California, they continued to stay in contact.
Belinda believes “where I stay currently does not determine my future.”
Antoinette saw that in me. She wanted to coach me and encourage me to be a creative. She has become my mentor and like a mother to me.
Synchronicity - Eli’s Life-Changing Moment
Eli told me about an inflection point in her life, the moment when through synchronicity, her life changed.
One day, something very strange happened to me. I think this is a story even Antoinette does not know. I was in the house one day; I was praying while on my bed, asking where can I get money to buy food? Right then Antoinette called and asked me, “what would you like to do in life?” I answered, “I would like to continue my education, but I need financial help to do that.” I wanted to get a degree at the University. I screenshotted my admission letter and fee requirement and sent it to Antoinette. Right after that Antoinette sent me money to pay for the fees.
Just like that, I started school in 2019. Every semester, Antoinette supported my education. I kept thinking “I want to make them proud so I need to work hard to finish school.”
In 2022 I finished and graduated in second class. First class is for the top students. Second class is very good. My degree is in Business Administration, Management option.
Antoinette and Eli have since become good friends.
She is my coach. She has not only been good to me but has extended daily love to my family. I feel like we have a mother-daughter relationship.
Eli works for Vision Fund Ghana, a subsidiary of Vision Fund and affiliate of World Vision, which provides microfinance training and assistance primarily to women microentrepreneurs. Eli works in the administration department, procuring items for the organization. She has been there for 6 years, working there before and all throughout her schooling.
An Ubuntu ChangeMaker
Eli Joined the
International movement that Antoinette and Pato started following the release of their documentary, the Spirit of Ubuntu, which is currently showing and winning awards at Film Festivals worldwide. Eli says that the Ubuntu philosophy speaks deeply to her:The Ubuntu spirit connects all people. It’s about doing good with and to people, connecting and helping them achieve what they would love to achieve in their lives. I've been embarking on a lot of projects because of the inspiration of Ubuntu.
In fact, Eli has been choosing one project per year to make a difference in the spirit of Ubuntu.
Supporting Hospital Patient Mary Dede
Eli’s first Ubuntu-inspired project was at a hospital. Eli’s aunt, who had been suffering from breast cancer, was staying at the hospital. Eli could could see there was a woman crying and wailing; she was hungry. Eli asked her aunt about this woman. Her aunt told her the woman’s name is Mary Dede and that noone visits her and she has no help.
In the spirit of Ubuntu, I was taught we need to help others. So I went to her, took her name, age, and the problem. And, said that even though I don't have money personally, I will help her come out of this situation. I designed a flyer and spread it around, putting it out on social media to organize a fundraiser.
Eli was successful! Not only was she able to pay Mary’s bills, she also raised enough money to provide Mary with money to set up a business.
“Ubuntu is talking about reaching out to others, and smile. It’s about giving love and feeling loved. I thought how about I do something like that every year.” - Eli
Supporting an Accra Orphanage
Eli’s second project was with an orphanage in Accra. This was only her second time visiting an orphanage. The conditions were very appalling for the children. She was able to fundraise from friends and well-wishers to buy clothes, water and essentials and delivered all of the items to the orphanage.
Last year (2023), Eli was pregnant and wasn't able to do a project. But she is working on one now.
Supporting School Fees for Orphans
There is a school in need of furniture and books and toiletries. They had reached out to Eli for support. She told them she needed a few months to organize herself which included doing a site visit to the school. Once she verified they did need help, she also also decided to raise funds for five orphans ages three to five, whose school fees were unpaid. Eli developed another fundraising flyer and spread it through groups on Whats App and FaceBook and is currently paying the school fees for the children and raising money for the school.
Eli is practicing Ubuntu as an individual
The highest amount of funds she has raised since committing herself to community service was for the orphanage. She raised $320 in funds, all from donors in Ghana and one from India.
"I have to continue these projects until I die. I have to do them anytime, anywhere, all the time.”
Of course, committing herself and her time to the service of others while being a new mother and a wage earner is not easy.
One of my challenges I'm facing - aside from financial, when you are doing a lot of projects together at the same time there are a lot of challenges balancing all of your other responsibilities. I have family, work, and other responsibilities in addition to the projects. So it’s best to work on one project at a time.
Honoring the Ubuntu Spirit: Ubuntu Sash
Eli, as a volunteer with Ubuntu International, has developed an idea to honor people who are living their life in the spirit of Ubuntu. She designed an Ubuntu honorary sash that would be presented to individuals to wear around their neck. After developing a prototype, she partnered with a local weaver to produce sashes for both Antoinette and Ubuntu. Antoinette and Eli have plans to partner on the Ubuntu sash going forward, producing more sashes to honor others who are living a life in service in alignment with the philosophy of Ubuntu: “I Am Because We Are.”
Eli’s ChangeMaker: Antoinette Rootsdawtah
Eli chose as her ChangeMaker Antoinette
of International.
Where in the World is Eli?
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