Are you an Obstacomer?

We are all ObstaComers!

Please support the ObstaComer® scholarship program by clicking here to purchase my book via an online bookstore.

Recent Updates on ObstaComer Scholarship Recipients

ObstaComer Scholarship Awarded to Lister Sakala

This was the best Christmas present to have received the news that we had raised enough funds to sponsor one more Zambian orphan; removing her from public school and enrolling her into private school in hopes of giving her access to quality education. I couldn’t wait to contact Zambia and when I did, Lister’s response was just as emotional as mine with the exciting news on Christmas Day 2022. Lister Sakala, the fourth recipient of the ObstaComer® Scholarship for Zambian orphans passed entrance exams required for 10th grade admission into Malundu Private School in Kafue, Zambia. She reported to class beginning January 16, 2023. Lister had dropped out of school before she was brought to New Beginnings Children's Village in Zambia. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up. To God be all the glory for opening the hearts of many generous donors that made this possible.

Obstacomer Mentorship Program

The Inception of CPI Conversation with Alease Newman

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Growing Personal Life Skills Presentation By Dr. Ann Wallace

Ms. Newman, CEO of a Child's Promise International (CPI), shared with ObstaComer mentees, CPI students and supporters reasons for creating CPI. Besides having a passion for helping struggling and vulnerable youth with life challenges, a second passion is international travel. The combination gave her first-hand experience and knowledge of youth in various countries that were struggling only to survive. Global travels allowed for witnessing various needless sufferings of vulnerable youth in challenging environments where hardships were so severe, simple daily living was questionable. She agonized deeply over the struggles of families and young children, as hearing about such circumstances or seeing from afar did not come close to actual reality of being in their environment. She often returned from travels with a dire feeling of helplessness, until deciding to create a nonprofit in hopes of somehow making some small difference in the lives of youth we could identify to support. She also shared with supporters management of a nonprofit; to include, recruitment of volunteers, utilization of donated funds, and advice to students for staying on an educational pathway leading to identifying career choices that best fit their talents.

Her advice to CPI students and ObstaComer mentees was that they keep God first, stay in school and not allow their personal or community challengers to distract from focusing on studies. She recommended students identify early what they enjoy doing that could be developed into a career and leverage their mentors to assist with transitioning or channeling skills they already posses into life skills that can potentially create future opportunities leading to better quality of life and success.

I am so grateful to God for placing Ms. Newman into my life. Over the years as our friendship and working relationship through CPI has evolved, she has been like a mother as well as a mentor. I have and continue to glean from her many years of experience with managing an International Nonprofit Organization with established working agreements and relationships in Ghana and Zambia to help educate students and orphans. I will forever be grateful for her mentorship over the years as a CPI volunteer, as well as continuing to embrace our relationship as part of the CPI family.

Growing Personal Life Skills Presentation By Dr. Ann Wallace

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Growing Personal Life Skills Presentation By Dr. Ann Wallace

A heart-felt thank you to Dr. Wallace for her time and diligence to the call to inspire young minds, and Mrs. Islar from C&G Global Connections Travel for organizing the event. I believe Dr. Wallace's wisdom and her list of life-transforming personal life skills will be instrumental in aspiring our students to greater heights.

Dr. Wallace shared a total of 12 personal life skills she believes are essential for all students to succeed in life at home, work, church and other critical aspects of life. Dr. Wallace went on to emphasize that the recommended list of skills is not an exhaustive list, but can be used as a starting point for navigating life's challenges.

Dr. Wallace noted that she attained higher education during her adult life while simultaneously juggling motherhood, and being a wife with a full-time job. Her advice to students is that they pursue their education while they are young with less responsibilities.

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

I am very thankful to Shenita Y. White for participating in the ObstaComer Mentorship program speaker series on June 6, 2021, to share with CPI students/ObstaComer mentees, the importance of building communication skills during their early years. Gleaning from her many years of professional experience in the Insurance Industry managing risk, and her vast experience in Information Technology, she shared with students the importance of listening, and also what she deems is of great importance of the four communication types: verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual.

Shenita also touched on a key aspect of building communications skills that is crucial for every student, on how she emerged from a timid youth and overcame the ability to effectively communicate well both verbally and in writing, years later in her adult life.

Conversing with her on such an important topic was a delight, and a breath of fresh air. I am grateful she took time out of her busy schedule to impart her wisdom and knowledge to CPI students/ObstaComer mentees.

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

CPI volunteer, Isabella shared with students the importance verbal, written, visual and nonverbal communication. She shared examples of nonverbal challenges she is often faced with from her toddler who is not yet able to use verbal communication. Interesting to note that while she was giving an example of her home-builder contractor who was shaking his right leg while communicating with her, which indicated to her that he might have been tired; Ironically, during the zoom recording, I was also fatigued and was unintentionally displaying similar nonverbal cues. I decided not to edit out my nonverbal cues so they can be used as a learning opportunity for ObstaComer mentees/ students. My hope is is to assess if students will be able to point out nonverbal cues observed as a challenge exercise.

Isabella also recommended to students how drama/acting classes can help with overcoming timidness.

Isabella has served as CPI's Integrated Communications and Web Design Manager since 2017. She is an asset to CPI and it has been wonderful serving with her over the years.

Setting Educational Goals Conversation with Cleopatra Islar

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Basic Financial Management Skills Conversation with Kristen and John

The ObstaComer Mentorship Program speaker series was recently restructured without student audience, to accommodate lack of internet availability in both Zambia and Ghana. I will be conducting short videos periodically throughout the year on various topics that students can view at their leisure, and provide feedback via google forms.
The second speaker series was conducted on March 13, 2021 with Mrs. Islar from C&G Global Connections Travel.I am thankful to her for participating in this program, and providing inspiring advice and lessons on "setting educational goals" that students will greatly benefit from.

Basic Financial Management Skills Conversation with Kristen and John

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Basic Financial Management Skills Conversation with Kristen and John

CPI volunteers Kristen and John shared with ObstaComer mentees important financial management tips that they believe should be taught to children as early as possible. They emphasized the importance of controlling spending habits for all ages which they deem is beneficial during all stages of life.

They shared that learning how to control spending is vital to strengthening ones financial management skills which will be valuable for ObstaComer mentees/ CPI students during their adults years. Spending control enables students to save money and tap into other investments such as real estate and buying stocks. Other topics/concepts discussed that students can further research included compound interest and opportunity cost.

John has been serving as CPI's Grants Research manager, and Kristen as the Funds Development manager for a number of years. They have both been and continue to be be valuable assets to CPI. I am extremely grateful for their dedication to the ObstaComer Mentorship program.

OBSTACOMER PROGRAM INITIATIVES & AUTHOR INTERVIEW VIDEOS

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Key Takeaways)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Key Takeaways)

Key Takeaways: The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw, co-author of two best selling books, "Transfromed" and "Successonomics". Mr. N'Daw not only shared with the students how to set goals using the "S.M.A.R.T" concept, but also encouraged the students by sharing his "ObstaComer" journey on how he migrated to the United States from Senegal via France, after much adversity during his youth, and ended up attaining an ivy league education against all odds.

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Highlights)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Key Takeaways)

The ObstaComer Mentorship Program kicked off to an awesome start on November 21, 2020 with participants from the United States, Zambia, France, England and Barbados.

A heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Macodou N'Daw of iMac Realty, LLC on delivering an inspiring and imperative message on "Mindset for Success" to ObstaComer scholarship recipients and other students at New Children's Village in Zambia. His inspiring message was was not only fitting for kicking off the ObstaComer Mentorship Program, but proved to be beneficial to the extended audience in attendance.

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

A huge thank you to Mrs. Cleopatra Islar of C&G Global Travel Connections.

It was a joy to coordinate with Mrs. Islar to facilitate the first professional speaker series, and looking forward to more thought-provoking and inspiring future speaker series such as the one delivered by Mr. N'Daw.

ObstaComer Mentorship Program Kickoff

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The narrative of my book project has continued to unfold in ways I did not anticipate. Since the book launched in July 2020, several initiatives have been established including the ObstaComer Mentorship and Scholarship programs. I am excited to see what God will do next!

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Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

As of March 2021, Georgina and her sister Prudence have successfully transitioned from public school to their new private academic institution at Malundu Secondary School in Kafue, Zambia.

A big and heartfelt thank you to everyone that has supported ObstaComer Scholarship fundraising efforts for Zambian orphans and marginalized children by purchasing my book "An Obstacomer's Journey Through Foresight and Hindsight" or by donating on GoFundMe. God bless you for your continued support and generosity.

The ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

The ObstaComer scholarship program was established in August 2020 in honor of my late parents, Mathew and Jean Mulenga. The program aims to support orphans, marginalized children and youth. Click below to learn more, and here for additional information available on a Child's Promise International (CPI) website.

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Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Thank you to everyone that has supported the ObstaComer Scholarship program by either purchasing my book or donating on GoFundMe. Your generosity will go a long way in helping Georgina and many others in the future to obtain quality education.

Learn More

New Author Interview with Cleopatra Islar - Part I

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Book Interview

"An Obstacomer's Journey Through Foresight and Hindsight: Persevering Through Life’s Unrelenting Trials"

My heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Islar for inviting me to interview, and to all participants that joined the zoom session from the United States, South Africa, Portugal and England.

New Author Interview with Cleopatra Islar - Part II

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

New Author Interview with Cleopatra Islar - Part II

Book Interview

"An Obstacomer's Journey Through Foresight and Hindsight: Persevering Through Life’s Unrelenting Trials"

Thank you to Global Readers Café members and all participants that offered great advice and words of encouragement .

Are you an Obstacomer?

We are all ObstaComers!

Recent Updates on ObstaComer Scholarship Recipients

ObstaComer Scholarship Awarded to Lister Sakala

ObstaComer Scholarship Recipient Prudence, Passed Grade 9 Exams

ObstaComer Scholarship Awarded to Cynthia Banda

ObstaComer Scholarship Recipient Georgina Passed Grade 9 Exams

Obstacomer Mentorship Program

The Inception of CPI Conversation with Alease Newman

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Growing Personal Life Skills Presentation By Dr. Ann Wallace

Growing Personal Life Skills Presentation By Dr. Ann Wallace

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Growing Personal Life Skills Presentation By Dr. Ann Wallace

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Shenita Y. White

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Setting Educational Goals Conversation with Cleopatra Islar

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Basic Financial Management Skills Conversation with Kristen and John

Basic Financial Management Skills Conversation with Kristen and John

Building Communication Skills Conversation with Isabella Ingelman-Sundberg

Basic Financial Management Skills Conversation with Kristen and John

OBSTACOMER PROGRAM INITIATIVES & AUTHOR INTERVIEW VIDEOS

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Key Takeaways)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Key Takeaways)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Highlights)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Key Takeaways)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

ObstaComer Mentorship Program Kickoff

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

The Mindset for Success Conversation with Macodou N'Daw (Full Video)

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

The ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

Successful Transition From Public to Private Education

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

New Author Interview with Cleopatra Islar - Part I

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

New Author Interview with Cleopatra Islar - Part II

Meet Georgina, The First Recipient of the ObstaComer Scholarship Program

New Author Interview with Cleopatra Islar - Part II

CPI Social Media Sites & Obstacomer Youtube channel