I’ve often referred to the Service Spotlight series that we run on The Smile Project blog as one of the most eye-opening parts of my work. No matter where I am in the world, I have the incredible gift of being connected to changemakers around the globe.
This week’s Spotlight is no exception. Mohamed Alusine Koroma is the CEO and Founder of Aksel’s Charity Foundation in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I am so excited to share his story with you all today.
Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a “Happiness is.”
Mohamed: Happiness Is our priority.
Liz: Tell me about your organization.
Mohamed: Aksel’s Charity Foundation (ACF) is a Non-Governmental Organization founded in September 2019. It came into existence to support orphans, widows, and children with disabilities in various communities within Sierra Leone. It is our belief that charity is our priority. And we will strive for excellence through evaluation and continuous improvement. It was against this backdrop that ACF was formed.
Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?
Mohamed: Our driving force is to give relief to the unprivileged orphans, widows, and children with disabilities who has been deprived of their fundamental human rights, whereas, to have access to high standard of living, opportunity and right for a positive future that allows empowerment and development today and forever. A small charity has a big impact and a safe place where the aforementioned people are being offered solutions to their problems.
Liz: What does service mean to you?
Mohamed: In life, nothing can satisfy and please your soul as much as helping others. Not only helping the needy will make a difference in their life, it would have a lot of benefits for you as well.
Liz: How can people get involved or follow your work?
Mohamed: If you would like to get involved, donate, sponsor, and partner, then you are also in the right place. We welcome your desire to help and be part of the family. You can email me (akselcharityfoundation@gmail.com) or follow us on Instagram (@akselcharityfoundation) or Facebook. You can also donate to the GoFundMe here.
Liz: Do you have a last piece of advice to leave us with?
Mohamed: Giving a helping hand to a needy one is not only a responsibility, but it’s also an act of humanity that we show towards others. We can make a difference in their lives even with a little – it doesn’t demand that much, just a little of what we have and a little of our time.
We can change their lives and give them goodwill and happiness, by showing them hospitality and love. We can care for what they need and we can give them this even with just a smile and a good deed.
Being poor doesn’t make them a different people or unwanted, it’s just a life course that they faced. So I say that we should help everyone, no matter what colour, race, or religion they have. This is the industry I have sacrificed a lot to pursue till my death in shaa Allah. It's an opportunity for us all.
