Connecting Across Tribal Lines: Leading with Love

When Dreams Take Flight | Overcoming Tribalism in Africa

Inevitably, we all face setbacks and trials at some point. Often, they come and go throughout our lives, it’s just part of the territory. For many living in East Africa, those trials come in the form of social barriers reinforced through years of tribal lines and religious and political division. Depending on what group you are born into, you could be destined for a life of hard work and little purpose. These trials aren’t short-lived. It’s ingrained in the culture.

At least that’s how it used to be before Saki, a student at the Leadership Academy of South Sudan (LASS), learned to lead with love.

Now, there’s a new generation of dreamers being equipped to take action and empower transformation across East Africa. These brave young men and women are loving others with a zeal so strong it cuts across tribal affiliations and religious groups. Their devotion to do good and serve others looks unusual to everyone around them.

How can they wholeheartedly serve others who have been holding them back? How can they push so hard for what seem to be unrealistic dreams?

Underdogs from unlikely villages are exactly who God tends to use most. After all, Jesus was one, living on earth as a humble Nazarene:

“Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.
‘Come and see,’ said Philip.”

 John 1:44-46 (NIV)

Come and See: Saki’s Dream of a Unified World

In Saki’s community, the future seemed bleak for the coming generations. Looking back, his own mother never had the chance to attend school. It was hard enough providing for life’s essentials, but Saki had a dream:

“Before I was accepted at 4africa’s Leadership Academy of South Sudan (LASS), I had a dream in life. However, to achieve success, you needed to be a certain tribe. But I had a dream to bring change, even though I felt inferior.

 When I started at LASS, I knew I could be a person who brings change—and who might change a country. A seed was planted, and I needed to figure out how to follow through with it. At LASS, I learned to lead people with love. The country needs me, and it is not all about tribalism anymore. It is our collective responsibility.

I love business. Because it is in my blood, I honed a lot of skills from our business classes [at LASS]. I started small by applying those to my family’s cake business. But my biggest dream is to own a company and employ more people. I want to be a leader.

 As a business owner, I’ll have a leadership platform to change the attitude about tribal affiliations. I feel it is a responsibility God has given to me—there are very many hopeless people [in my region]. For instance, many of my close friends have endured the same conditions—some even worse than mine. So, if I can lead and bring in a business [to our community], they can learn about Christ and find real hope. I will tell them how God has a design [and purpose] for them. My responsibility as a leader is important so I can do these things.”

The Waiting Period: Finding Purpose through Pain

God has a way of working through pain and hardship. Before Saki was accepted at LASS, he went through a long waiting period filled with doubt – and grueling labor. He watched as his friends were accepted into college prep programs. Despite his prayers, his call didn’t come.

 “It was very hard, and I almost gave up. I kept looking for opportunities. I joined manual labor on the street making chapatti to earn a living. That was my life. I prayed every day for something to happen. But again, my friends got calls and I didn’t. I thought, ‘Oh, I am already gone.’ I felt my dream was perishing. Here, manual labor is not considered good. I was doubting God’s existence, although I continued to pray. And then…I was called! I knew then that God is there. I felt so amazing! I was able to attend LASS, and I now am a very, very, different person.”

Sure enough, his time working on the streets was not wasted. Rather than striving for personal gain, Saki is determined to use his firsthand experience, new entrepreneurial skills, and a budding business platform to reach others. He is one of the many catalysts of hope we have the honor of supporting through LASS.

Now that his mom and sister have successfully taken over the cake business, Saki is focusing on construction opportunities, specifically natural disaster relief and long-term prevention:

“I’d like to start a construction business, practicing leadership in the business. People are suffering—there’s flooding in the Upper Nile. Because the buildings were weak, the flooding caused a lot of damage. Disaster can be life threatening, especially for those who already have so little. I feel if we can build stronger structures and somewhat control the flooding, it will be better for all. I want to serve others in this capacity.”

Conquering Tribalism through Authentic Relationships

At 4africa, we invest in Leadership. For our students at the Leadership Academy of South Sudan, it is never about personal advancement, but about how they can use their education to serve others. Our students strive to conquer tribalism one relationship at a time. They are eager to learn skills they can take back to their communities, and help their families THRIVE!

We believe that sustainable change means equipping people like Saki today for the future. Through LASS, young men and women are empowered to help their communities and countries thrive spiritually, socially, and economically for generations to come.

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