Globally, 700 million people live below the poverty line–surviving on less than $2 per day. In Africa as a whole, 4 in 10 people live in poverty and in Congo, at least 7 in 10 people live below the poverty line. So, what are we going to do about it? In this episode, hear what one young leader and the organization he founded is doing to make a lasting difference through identifying and empowering local leaders in some of the world’s most impoverished communities. The Lobiko Initiative is an organization committed to creating a world where every child has a safe place to call home, where every family has access to quality healthcare, wherever every individual has opportunities for meaningful employment, and where every community has access to basic resources to thrive. What You’ll Learn Globally, 700 million people live below the poverty line–surviving on less than $2 per day. In Africa as a whole, 4 in 10 people live in poverty and in Congo, at least 7 in 10 people live below the poverty line. The Lobiko Initiative is an organization committed to creating a world where every child has a safe place to call home, where every family has access to quality healthcare, wherever every individual has opportunities for meaningful employment, and where every community has access to basic resources to thrive. The best way to create lasting change in communities is to equip those intimately familiar with the pressing needs to lead the way. How local leaders can be supported and empowered to craft solutions. Guest’s Bio As the founder and Executive Director of the Lobiko Initiative, Wilita Sanguma's career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of people furthest from opportunity. His story began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where his childhood was overshadowed by one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II. The harrowing experience of fleeing his homeland amidst chaos and violence instilled in him a profound understanding of the complexity of injustice and the importance of peace. This early exposure to conflict and his subsequent journey to safety laid the foundation for his later pursuits in political science at Fresno State University and a master's in International Studies at the University of San Francisco, where he specialized in peace and conflict resolution. Wilita's professional path reflects these early experiences and is marked by significant milestones. His personal trials have deeply influenced his work, especially his commitment to marginalized communities both in the U.S. and globally. His experiences of navigating systemic injustices and overcoming obstacles have fueled his passion for holistic education and youth development, reflected in his active participation on numerous nonprofit boards.