Thriving Through Trials

Watching the conversation last week between Donald Trump, his Vice President, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, I couldn’t help but reflect on the unequal power dynamics between those who give and those who receive. The world often expects recipients of aid to remain silent, humble to the point of invisibility. A donor’s generosity is rarely questioned, but the dignity of the recipient often is.

I have been fortunate in my journey working with funders who see me as a partner, not a subordinate. The donors who support Inua Advocacy and There is Hope Malawi have never used their contributions as leverage to diminish my worth. They understand that my need for financial resources does not make me weak or inferior. Instead, they recognize it as an opportunity to participate in something greater than themselves: God’s mission to make the world a better place.

But this hasn’t always been the case. When There is Hope was still just a vision, some of the very people who had been supporting me including helping me access an educational scholarship, expressed a strong desire for my new charity to operate under their leadership. However, their approach and focus did not align with the mission of There is Hope, and I knew I had to stand firm. The moment I said no, I was instantly seen as ungrateful.

In that moment, I had to choose: compromise my vision for security or hold onto my dignity and risk everything. I chose the latter. It was a painful and lonely road, but one I have never regretted.

Over time, God brought people into my life who saw my strength, not my need. They understood that I was not defined by what I lacked, but by what I had to give.

If you are in a position of need, remember this: humility does not mean surrendering your dignity to powerful bullies. True supporters will respect you, and if someone walks away because you reminded them of our shared humanity, that is not a loss, it is liberation.