At the 2008 LSPIRG Global Citizenship Conference, FOA founder TK Mawuli Azaglo is inspired by Lieutenant-General Romèo Dallaire’s (Force Commander United Nations Mission in Rwanda) keynote at Wilfrid Laurier University on his experience in Rwanda during the genocide. Upon hearing Dallaire’s answer to what he thought the future of Africa was, “the future of Africa lies in the hands of children and youth who take leadership responsibilities for the issues they see around them”, TK responded to Mr. Dallaire, “I am the future of Africa and I will do everything to make a difference in the continent”. TK recalls feeling stunned as the auditorium erupted into a standing ovation. He found his voice and a significant boost in his self-confidence when he realized the impact his response had on the audience.  Mr. Dallaire said to him “you said something really powerful today and I look forward to hearing what you will do”. This experience changed TK’s life and set him on a journey to discover the world and his role within it.

During the summer of 2018, TK worked at Tamynn Foods, a cookie factory in Cambridge ON. To ease the boredom of standing and watching his machine for 12 hours, TK spent his time writing his dreams for Future of Africa on tissue papers. Consumed by his dreams and ideas he often lost track of his machine and got in trouble for frequent fire outbreaks in his oven and cream spillage on his machine. TK met John, a colleague and fellow Golden Hawk working next to him.  TK shared his story and plans to start Future of Africa as a campus club to educate students on the misconceptions and stereotypes they had about Africa. Inspired by TK’s story, John committed to mobilizing signatures to start the club. TK and John became very good friends who would travel to Uganda and Ghana on Service-Learning Experiences. 

Following TK’s response to Romèo Dallaire, the Cord Weekly interviewed him to share his story and experiences at Laurier. TK shared his dreams to give back to his home community, work for an NGO: building schools, hospitals and community centers in Africa.  This feature served as a catalyst and a platform to share his vision for starting a campus club which would later evolve into what FOA is today.

On October 27, 2008 Future of Africa was officially approved and recognized as a campus club by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students Union. FOA organized documentary screenings and invited guest speakers to educate students on the misconceptions and stereotypes they had about Africa. FOA hosted several campaigns to create awareness about on-going development issues. FOA was a very active club with over 100 students participating in events and meetings.

FOA Laurier wins Wilfrid Laurier University Student Union’s (WLUSU) Best New Club of the year at the Campus Club’s End of Year Banquet held at the Turret.. This award recognizes the contribution of a new club to campus life and student engagement. This award motivated FOA to do more to leave a meaningful impact at Laurier and the broader Waterloo community.

FOA started the Journey for Change program to expose students to different cultures and realities in an African country. In 2009 we embarked on our first service-learning experience for ten weeks to Uganda with seven students from Wilfrid Laurier University. On this trip, FOA partners with Peace for All International to build a computer lab, chicken coop and run sports programs for children in Arua, Uganda. FOA pulled out of Uganda after all our projects failed. We did not understand the needs of the people we sought to serve in Arua.

FOA Laurier wins Wilfrid Laurier University Student Union’s (WLUSU) Most Active Club of the year at the Campus Club’s End of Year Banquet held at the Turret. This award was in recognition of FOA’s contribution to campus life and student engagement. FOA hosted documentary screenings,  a Peace Festival and fundraising events in preparation towards our Journey for Change to Ghana.

FOA Laurier receives a nomination for YMCA Peace Medallion at the YMCA’s of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. This award recognizes the achievements of individuals or groups who – without any special resources  – demonstrate in their lives and activities the values expressed by PEACE (participation, empathy, advocacy, community, empowerment) and serve as models of what all of us are capable of achieving if we choose.

FOA visited Smile Child Academy in TK’s hometown of Lolito. This school was founded by Nunya Dogbe and Shine Amedonoo of blessed memory, to provide children in the village with good foundations before basic school. The school struggled to maintain facilities and expand its capacity to meet the growing interest in the school.  FOA decided to support school renovations and expand the capacity of this school. We are still working to improve the quality of education young people receive in rural communities.

Following FOA’s success at Wilfrid Laurier University, John inspired his childhood friend Amber Pinsonneault to start a new club at the University of Windsor. FOA Windsor organized events to create awareness and educate students on the misconceptions many had about Africa.

We shared FOA’s work with hundreds of young people at Count Me In Conference, formerly World Youth Conference. The response Future of Africa received fueled FOA’s dream to invest in young people in Africa.

Future of Africa embarks on its first service-learning trip to Ghana with seven students from Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada. On this trip, the volunteers worked with the community to renovate five classrooms for children at Smile Child Academy, Lolito.

TK shared his dream of building community centers for leadership development in Africa with his friend Popy Dimoulas-Graham of Charity Republic. Popy introduced TK to Jeff Horst who had participated in a service trip to Ecuador to build a community center. Jeff shared his experience and introduced TK to Jeremy Horne, who took Jeff on his trip to Ecuador. TK got to know about Jeremy’s passion for investing in young leaders and became his mentee. TK deepened his commitment to service and social-justice under Jeremy’s mentorship.

As an International Student Recruiter for Wilfrid Laurier University, TK shared the highlight of his education, founding Future of Africa with young people across the world. After several conversations with young people across the continent he was convinced  leadership development is critical to raising a new generation of young people to lead social change in their communities.

FOA hosts eight Canadian students on its service-learning program for six weeks. On this trip FOA builds a library with the Lolito community for students at Smile Child Academy. The visiting students also participated in various activities to learn about local cultures.

TK visits his friend Nikki who lived and worked with community members in Sto. Domingo to rebuild their community school. Nikki also helped the community build a youth center and a  technical workshop to teach skills and invest in the development of young people. TK and Nikki shared similar passions and personal values of service, compassion and justice. Nikki and TK became very good friends and supported each others dreams. Nikki and TK got married and currently live in Ghana together. They spend most of their time investing in the development of young people.

FOA hosts five Canadian students on its service-learning program for six weeks. On this trip FOA builds an additional classroom with the Lolito community for students at Smile Child Academy.

TK resigned from his second job as Global Engagement Coordinator at Wilfrid Laurier University to move back to Ghana. He planned to spend more time understanding local issues and working on his plans for leadership development and Smile Child Academy in Lolito.

 FOA hosts six Canadians and one Ghanaian on its service-learning program for two weeks. On this trip students build bathroom facilities for Smile Child Academy. They also participate in various activities to encourage critical self-reflection and leadership development.

 On an early morning TK noticed a young boy sleeping on the floor by Marina Mall in Accra. Kweku, 14 years, had been living in the streets for 4 months after being thrown out by his guardians. Bismark was taken to the Department of Social Welfare but was found back in the streets after a week. This experience would inspire FOA’s Good Neighbors Program.

FOA hosts the Lewis family from the United States of America for two weeks. On this trip the Lewis family sponsor and contribute to building two classrooms and bring desks for 100 students to support the growth of Smile Child Academy.

FOA expands its focus to include investing in children and youth living in the streets of Accra. FOA provides pathways to education and personal wellbeing.  FOA spends time with these children every week to understand their realities and invest in their God-given potential.

FOA incorporates university students into its work with children and youth living on the streets of Accra. Students help in the growth and development of Lead-2-Serve Africa Programs,  StreetSmart, Mi Dunu, and Street Art.

FOA wins 2016 Ubora Community Engagement Award at the annual Ashesi University Student Council awards ceremony.