What Does “Paying it Forward” Mean for us at Asante Africa?
The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on ~ Julia Alvarez
Paying it forward at Ngina Children’s Home with well needed supplies, Kenya
A single act of kindness can set off a domino effect triggering a wave of compassion that touches lives across the globe, one person at a time. Indeed, kindness is not meant to be repaid; it is meant to be Paid Forward and in different ways.
The phrase, “Pay it Forward,” became popular after the 2000 movie of the same name, where a young boy’s school assignment started a chain reaction of kindness that far exceeded his initial gesture.
At Asante Africa Foundation, paying-it-forward goes beyond kindness. It is a movement of putting one’s skills to work for the greater good, sharing knowledge and talent to uplift others, and creating a positive impact in one’s community. Paying it forward amplifies individual, or group actions to benefit a much larger community.
Our Youth-Centered model has been instrumental in enforcing the Pay-it-Forward philosophy. Built on the Learn-Do-Teach methodology, research has demonstrated this approach raises retention rates to 90%, far surpassing the 30% retention rate of traditional learning methods. By teaching others, our beneficiaries tend to reinforce their own understanding, making it a highly effective way to embed knowledge and promote a culture of paying it forward. Many of our students have researched challenges in their communities and come up with innovative solutions.
For Monicah, a young Kenyan woman and alumnus of Asante Africa, paying it forward has ripples long into the future. Alongside fellow alumni, she founded the Naitawang Youth Empowerment group, dedicated to inspiring the next generation. In February 2024, Monicah and her team shared their knowledge and experiences with the students of Ole Mugur Primary School in Kenya. Through mentorship and guidance, they empowered the young minds to dream big and envision a brighter future.
The team also visited Olchorro High School, where they planted trees and donated sanitary towels to the female students.
At Asante Africa, Pay-it-Forward is one of the working principles we hold in high esteem. Through this approach, we embody this spirit of selflessness and community. By empowering individuals through education, mentorship, and community development projects, we are investing skills, talents and knowledge for a positive future throughout East Africa. Our Pay-it-Forward initiatives have already reached more than 270,000 lives and we’re still counting!
In June 2024, Monicah and the Naitawang Youth Empowerment group replicated their mentorship and empowerment session, this time at Nturumeti Secondary School. With a focus on addressing the pressing issue of early school dropouts, they engaged with students and stakeholders to explore solutions and encourage students to stay in school. Read more about their visit to the school here.
The ripple effect of kindness is what Asante Africa is all about, and our success is a testament to the power of paying it forward. By investing in individuals like Monicah, we create a trend of positive change that continues to grow and spread, inspiring others to Pay-it-Forward and make a difference in the lives of those around them.
WRITTEN BY: Halisatu Aziz
