C3 Leadership | Jim Machuku

How our ministry started
Eswatini grapples with an alarming HIV prevalence rate of around 25.9%, the highest globally, significantly impacting its population of 1.26 million, especially those aged 15 to 49. This public health crisis is exacerbated by extreme poverty and various pandemics, which have particularly affected the youth. Young people also face challenges such as violence in schools and the pervasive influence of gang culture, promoting an environment of fear and instability. The situation is further complicated by unequal access to quality education and ongoing social injustices, which diminish accountability among the youth. Mental health issues also impede their ability to cultivate vital personal skills for self-improvement.

In response to these urgent challenges, the C3 Leadership Initiative was established to empower young individuals to harness their greatest asset: themselves. In December 2021, we launched our first Lead Summer Camp, engaging 25 youths, and we continue to focus on transforming behavioral attitudes through soft leadership skills and spiritual growth inspired by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

Our favorite ministry stories
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully launched our first Summer Lead Camp. Despite our faces being concealed by masks, the eyes of the young participants spoke volumes. In those eyes, we saw a mix of hopelessness, pain, and fear, but by the camp’s conclusion, they shone with hope, ambition, and a desire for change, envisioning a brighter future for Eswatini. This experience ignited a remarkable determination within us to prioritize the nurturing of the next generation in Eswatini.

How the ministry partnership with the cause has helped us
Our collaboration with The Cause has proven to be a remarkable alignment for us, serving as both a response to our administrative aspirations and a strategic alliance that has refined our organization’s vision and mission. Through this partnership, we have gained invaluable training, encouragement, and support that we might not have accessed otherwise. It’s hard to imagine where we would be today without this meaningful connection. The Cause has provided a global platform for our mission, and the grant we received has significantly enhanced our ability to make a greater impact in our community in a shorter timeframe.

How our global Ally has helped to grow our ministry
Our global ally has provided not only personal encouragement but has also helped to enhance
our vision through collaborative prayer, creative and intentional resource mobilization. This
strategic support enables us to concentrate on our ministry on the ground, confident that someone
is helping to connect our vision with the critical resources necessary for making a significant
impact in our community.

Learn more about how to support C3 Leadership on their Partner Page here: https://thecause.org/partners/c3-leadership-initiative/

 

Elizabeth Friend
Elizabeth Friend
Elizabeth has worked in the nonprofit field for 7 years. She loves to travel, share stories, and challenge herself through outdoor adventure.