In August 2017, I had joined a startup mentoring program with a group of founders and mentors in Berlin, despite being sceptical about it. I had been busy building the Dream Village project in Zongo Macheri in the Oti Region of Ghana, and I didn't like the idea of startup mentoring and pitching, as I believed it was used to extort ideas and get funding from big corporations. But my wife convinced me to give it a try. After a rigorous application process, we were invited to Accra to start the mentoring process. The first phase of the mentoring was boring and seemed irrelevant to me. I had been running charities and social interventions for over ten years, and I thought the ideas and mentoring didn't apply to my setup. Despite my lack of interest, we proceeded to the second phase of mentoring in Berlin. I was sick with malaria, stress, and possible homesickness, but I had the will to get it done and go home. My mentor could see my potential, but I couldn't articulate it in a business sense.
I felt like I was in the wrong crowd. However, a moment of Zen changed everything. I was in the dining room with many startup founders when two guys walked in, and the energy of the room went to the roof. They were the Dreamers, Katzi, and Herman, who greeted everyone with hugs, kisses, and laughter. Suddenly everyone was human again, no one was trying to get something, and people just lit up. It was as if for the first time, I was present in my body, and I felt alive.
The Dreamers gave me the energy to survive the entire mentoring session, and I realized that we didn't need too much to make others happy; we just needed to be human. When I returned to Ghana, I didn't know if I had gained anything from the mentoring, but at least I knew two men could light up a room! Phase three of the mentoring started a few months after in Ghana, and all I could think of was meeting the Dreamers again. They came to visit my Dream Village, even though it was in the middle of nowhere, and we shared the most amazing moments, talking about nonexistent dreams that weren't yet built. They believed in me and promised to come back and see it again. The Dreamers didn't come with any business plans, no "successful" business stories, no pitching of their ROI, not even a job description. They only asked, "What is your dream?" I knew what my dream was, and I am glad someone finally asked. The Dreamers taught me to believe in myself and to embrace my dreams. They showed me that it's not just about business plans and ROI, but about being human and connecting with others. I am grateful to have met them, and I will always remember the moment of Zen they brought into my life.
..and my dreams felt real and achievable. The energy and encouragement they brought with them gave me the motivation to keep going and keep pushing for my dreams, even in the face of challenges. Since then, I have kept in touch with the Dreamers, and they have continued to support me and my work in various ways. They have introduced me to potential partners and collaborators, and even helped me secure funding for some of my projects.
Through my experience with the Dreamers, I have come to understand the power of human connection and positivity. They showed me that we don't need to be focused solely on business and profit to achieve success. We can be successful by helping others and creating positive change in the world. Now, I am proud to say that my Dream Village project has grown and expanded, and has helped empower countless individuals in my community. And I know that I wouldn't be where I am today without the support and encouragement of the Dreamers. In conclusion, my journey with the Dreamers has taught me that success is not just about business plans and profits, but about connecting with others and creating positive change in the world. I am grateful for their support, and for the lessons they have taught me along the way.
