The Power of Community (Part 1): Konseye Members Reflect on a Year of Impact

Hello Friends,

It is officially the last month of 2024! If you’re like me you’re probably wondering how quickly the year disappeared! Hopefully once the shock wears off you can account for where you’ve been, any highlights of the year, and what you are most grateful for.  As we wrap up 2024 one of the highlights for Konseye: The Mentorship Network and what we’re most grateful for is our powerful community! Konseye has really become a global community of changemakers with the shared belief in the power of mentorship and support. With a thriving network of over 300 members, we've had the privilege of connecting with many through inspiring group mentoring sessions and witnessing incredible peer-to-peer support in our community forum. This year has truly been a blessing!

This December, we’re delighted to dedicate our #MondayMusings to celebrating the power of community by highlighting some of our members as they share their 2024 year in review. We’ve invited them to reflect on the following questions:

• Tell us about any exciting projects you’ve worked on or are working on this year?

•  What’s been your highlight of 2024?

•  Why is mentoring important to you?

•  What’s your personal slogan you live by?

We start with Oumar and Raveena!

Let’s get into it!

Meet Oumar Saleh (Chad)

Entrepreneur

Exciting Projects:

This year, I’ve been fully focused on developing Hand in Hand Farm, an initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable agriculture in Chad. We’ve integrated renewable energy solutions like solar power and are working to create opportunities for women and youth in our community.

Highlight of 2024:

The highlight of my year was being selected to attend the Pan African Youth Forum in Algeria. The event brought together over 1,000 young African leaders from across the continent. It was a truly inspiring experience to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and collaborate on innovative solutions for the future.

Why Mentoring Matters:

Mentoring has been transformative for me. It is about more than guidance; it’s about empowering others to unlock their potential. I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible mentors and I am committed to passing that on, especially to youth and women in my region.

Personal Slogan:

“Empower communities, grow sustainably.”

Meet Raveena Med (India)

Founder of Arise, an organization dedicated to supporting people living with disabilities, environmental activist, and Konseye volunteer

Exciting Projects:

I work in four key areas:

1. Faith Engagement on Climate Action and Peace

2. Animal welfare / justice

3. Empowering People with Disabilities and at last

4. Youth Empowerment

   
   

I started my journey as an Environmental activist, especially concentrating on Animal trafficking to come this far representing my country at the United Nations Conference as Delegate. Working with several international organizations on a volunteer basis has also helped me to develop my skills.

Highlight of 2024:

A highlight of 2024 that I would like to mention is getting into Commonwealth Youth Group as that was something I aimed for.

Why Mentoring Matters:

Mentors are voices that can lead you when you are left in a complicated state. we may never be an expert in some areas, in that case it’s definitely mentors who are going to make you an expert.

Personal Slogan:

“Keep trying everything - one way or the other you will find a way.”

I believe that when you don’t try you lose out more than the person who has tried, failed and learned something out of it, and would try something better to accomplish their goals. So keep trying everything until you accomplish it. It’s a short journey so cherish it with the best moments making a greater impact. 

In reading their reflections, I’m struck by the power of purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and just how transformative mentorship can be in creating meaningful change. Oumar’s work through Hand in Hand Farm is a brilliant example of innovation and heart coming together to address food insecurity in Chad. By integrating renewable energy and creating opportunities for women and youth, he’s proving how impactful sustainable agriculture can be. His highlight of attending the Pan African Youth Forum this year shows the value of connecting with other changemakers across the continent to share ideas and build solutions together (peer-to-peer support!).

Raveena’s journey is equally inspiring. From her work as an environmental activist to founding Arise and taking on issues like climate action, disability empowerment, and youth advocacy, she’s making waves in so many areas that matter. Representing India at the United Nations Conference and joining the Commonwealth Youth Group this year are huge milestones, achieved through her unwavering determination and vision for change.

Both Oumar and Raveena remind us how powerful mentorship really is. For Oumar, it’s about passing on what he’s learned to empower others. For Raveena, it’s about how mentors can guide you when you’re stuck. Their personal mottos “empower communities, grow sustainably” and “keep trying everything” capture the spirit of persistence and purpose!

Oumar and Raveena, thank you for sharing your stories. You’ve reminded us all what it means to lead with passion and to believe in the impact of community, no matter how big or small.

Friends - share your views on what you’ve read, reach out and connect with them, and join Konseye - a global community dedicated to personal and professional growth.

Remember: With The Right Network, Anything Is Possible.™

Have a great week!

Adejoké

Team Konseye