I have said it before and I am saying it again, spending time Tanzanians should be marked as a relaxation tool. Well, every time I sit and engage with them, I always come out super relaxed, with a positive attitude and some uswahili calmness.
James Leonard is a young African leader who loves his country and swears that he will be part and parcel of building it as a young leader. He is currently serving as the Tanzanian national team leader for AU Club Tanzania that has a vision of facilitating the AU agenda 2063.
James also works for the UN program in Tanzania which deals with vegetable research. He confessed that he must have some Kenyan Kikuyu blood in him because his entrepreneurial spirit has been growing and poking him since childhood.
He is the CEO of Peace foundation, a social enterprise that aims at promoting peace and resolving conflict for different countries in Africa.
James is extremely passionate about children and education. He owns the Leondson primary schools in Tanzania. Through the schools, hundreds of African children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been transformed.
We have kids from different backgrounds. Some are orphans while some are from very poor backgrounds. I work hard and spend most of my earnings to support these children and my team. We are currently looking for support in transportation, food and mattresses for the children as well as volunteers.
When he got selected to YALI, he was super charged and grateful because the program has been customized to transform hundreds of young lives.
YALI is a lifetime opportunity. The standards are high. I learnt to align my vision with that of my country and Africa as a continent. Meeting and connecting with other young leaders from different countries was an honor. It was mind blowing because I would never have known that young Africans are doing life changing projects and are transforming millions of lives. I have been honored to attend many international programs and this particular experience took the cup. Young Africans, what do you have in your hands? Where do you live? What is the need? How can you offer a solution for your community? Get out of the worker mentality and start thinking big. Think Africa as a continent. Allow your dreams and vision to shock you. Please disrupt the status quo.
James has a vision of schooling thousands of children through Leondson Schools. He is looking to expand the schools in different parts of Tanzania and to other African countries.
His biggest dream is to see peace prevail in all African countries through the Peace Foundation and to encourage Pan-Africanism and Ubuntu among Africans.
James enjoys traveling and a good ‘ole traditional meal shared with friends while discussing politics. Keep soaring James and making Africa great again.
