A Chat With Our New Ambassador: Lukwesa Morin
At The Literate Earth Project (LEP ) we are always looking to cultivate new relationships. In a practical sense, partnerships and collaborations allow us to offer an even better product and streamline our processes. But we also respect partnership as a principle itself—we believe there is inherent value to connecting with and offering support for others who share our vision. Today we spoke with our new ambassador, Lukwesa Morin, on this very subject. We’re pleased to announce she will be working with LEP to advocate for literacy and help us gain the exposure we need to carry out our mission.
Lukwesa, we’re thrilled to have you on board at LEP. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and what you’re working on now.
I recently completed a Masters in Public Policy and Public Administration from Johns Hopkins University. I’m a Project Manager for Department of Defense Health Agency and am currently working on a healthcare initiative mandated through the Obama administration. As Miss African Union 2019, I had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia for the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and the government of the African Union in February of last year. The experience taught me the value of advocating for positive change and the ways in which networking and advocacy run hand in hand.
What circumstances or events inspired your career in public policy, and what humanitarian areas are you committed to advocating for?
Numerous experiences throughout my life have molded me into who I am today and informed what I wish to achieve in my career. Having worked in the past as a consultant for World Bank and United Nations World Food Program, I experienced first hand the surreal experiences of those in third world countries such as Lesotho. I became all too familiar with the abject poverty, illiteracy, and devastating disaster effects that many African countries contend with and became inspired to do something about it. Whether it be alleviation of hunger or increasing the prospects of education for both girls and boys, men and women—I feel deeply that something has to be done. Policy is at the backbone of a lot of development initiatives and can be instrumental in changing not only the rules and regulations of societies, but also the quality of life for disadvantaged populations who deserve a self-actualized existence.
You mention illiteracy as a humanitarian concern—why is literacy so important as a global cause, and why is it important to you?
Literacy is very dear to my cause because I believe that through raising levels of awareness and knowledge sharing, we are not only driven to act but to act with power. Learning to read and write legibly improves our ability to impact change economically, socially, and politically. It is my hope that by empowering disadvantaged populations through raising literacy, they may feel empowered within themselves to act on the change they wish to see. Having grown up with access to these luxuries, I felt a critical responsibility to pay it forward and also empower those seeking the same goal.
How did you come across LEP and what about it seemed compelling?
I was introduced to LEP through a friend who co-founded the company. Upon reviewing their notable accomplishments and objectives, I was delighted to know that their goals aligned with mine. I believe LEP has a vast deal of potential and I’m proud to be partnered with a mission that is not only promising but has a proven track record of empowering African countries with literacy. It’s apparent to me that this organization has its heart and goals in the right place and continues to move forward in a way that is inspiring and noteworthy.
Like any nonprofit, LEP can carry out its mission only as far as it gains exposure and funding—how will you serve as an ambassador for LEP and is there anything in particular you're looking forward to?
As an ambassador for LEP I aspire to introduce this organization to viable client partnerships so that the mission can be enhanced and brought to bigger heights. As a team, the strength increases in numbers—particularly when partnered with those who share the same divine passion to make this world a better place. I look forward to seeing exponential growth at LEP, and new conduits for teaching children within disadvantaged populations how to read and write. I look forward to seeking more exposure for LEP so that potential donors and thought leaders can contribute to the cause of literacy for decades to come.