Whenever someone launches a neophyte organization, I ask: what is your raison d'etre?

Why is the entity needed? How will you innovate? What problems will you solve?

I recently met Walinase Nyirongo, Founder of Forces Trust Zambia. His seed idea came from his service with British Forces in Afghanistan, seeing firsthand the resulting programs that veterans require.

There he realized his passion – for creating similar programs and support mechanisms in his home country of Zambia.

The fire in his belly continued to grow when he learned that in some Zambian neighborhoods near mines, upwards of 80% of youth are irreparably poisoned by lead.

The grim reality would give most people pause at the immensity of the project in front of them.

Instead, like many nonprofit pioneers, Walinase is leaning into the situation, focusing on one individual at a time, and keeping the vision that one day his work will reach a tipping point of creating permanent change in Zambia.

My hats off to nonprofit entrepreneurs such as Walinase. He's in year one of incorporation, but he’s already making headway one person at a time.

Photo credit: Forces Trust Zambia, WWII Veteran Widow