Sparks of Hope: Building Congo's Future Leaders
A Doctor's Discovery: How the Club of Leaders Transformed One Family's Educational Journey
When Dr. Zachary first walked through the doors of the Club of Leaders with microscopes in hand, he had no idea he was taking the first step in a journey that would transform his family's future. As a respected local physician, he had been invited as a guest speaker to teach the students about germs and hygiene—a simple community outreach activity that would soon evolve into something much more profound.
The children's eyes lit up as they took turns peering through the microscopes. Their curiosity was insatiable and their questions thoughtful. It was clear this wasn't just a standard classroom—there was something special happening at the Club of Leaders.
That initial visit sparked a curiosity in Dr. Zachary as well. He accepted an invitation to join a community focus group discussing the Club's impact. Listening to parents and community members share stories of transformation, he found himself becoming an advocate, encouraging neighbors and colleagues to witness the Club's work firsthand.
The approach was unlike anything typically seen in the local educational system. The students weren't just memorizing facts—they were applying knowledge to real community challenges, developing leadership skills, and growing in confidence with each project they undertook.
The relationship between Dr. Zachary and the Club of Leaders continued to deepen. Soon, he was opening the doors of his clinic to student-led health awareness campaigns, offering them a professional platform to practice their communication skills while addressing real health concerns in the community. From designing informative posters to organizing discussion sessions with clinic visitors, the young leaders blossomed under his supportive presence.
Dr. Zachary became a familiar face at Club activities, joining field trips focused on proper ash disposal methods and attending Community Learning Circles where intergenerational knowledge sharing created powerful moments of connection and understanding.
What began as professional curiosity eventually led to a significant family decision. Impressed by the holistic development he witnessed in Club members, Dr. Zachary and his wife made the choice to transfer their three children to Hebrone School specifically to participate in the Club of Leaders program.
As a medical professional trained to recognize effective interventions, Dr. Zachary saw in the Club of Leaders an approach that addressed many challenges facing young people—lack of confidence, limited practical skills, and disconnection from community. This was an opportunity he wanted for his own children.
Today, his children are active Club members, developing the same leadership skills, community awareness, and self-confidence that first impressed their father.
Dr. Zachary has become one of the Club's most vocal champions in the community. When he looks at the young leaders emerging from this Club, he sees the community's future in good hands—and now, his children will be among them.
His journey—from curious guest speaker to passionate advocate and parent—exemplifies the ripple effect the Club of Leaders continues to create throughout the community, one transformed family at a time.
Meet Board Director, Jonett Williams: Championing Educational Excellence Across Digital and Traditional Learning
Bringing over two decades of diverse educational expertise, Jonett Williams joins the Malembe Rise board with a passion for transforming young lives through quality education.
As the Middle School Assistant Academic Administrator at Indiana Digital Learning, Jonett creates innovative support systems that help students thrive in digital environments. Her comprehensive educational journey spans multiple settings—from molding young minds as an English teacher at Indiana Digital Learning, Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, and Bishop Chatard High School, to driving institutional growth in marketing and advancement roles.
Jonett's unique experience working with students from preschool through high school brings invaluable perspective to Malembe Rise's Club of Leaders program. Her educational foundation combines a Bachelor's degree in English Education from Indiana University Bloomington with a Master's in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University—academic credentials that reflect her commitment to educational excellence and student engagement.
When not advancing educational initiatives, Jonett enjoys Midwest family life with her husband and three children. As the newest member of the Malembe Rise Board, she brings fresh energy and ideas to support the organization's mission of empowering youth through education.
Nick Reich: Building a Better World Through Leadership and Connection
With a mission to leave the world better than he found it, Nick Reich brings over two decades of expertise in innovation, strategy, and cross-sector collaboration to the Malembe Rise board.
As Executive Director at Pack Away Hunger and the visionary behind River + Green and CoLab, Nick bridges the worlds of social impact and organizational development. His unique approach combines his credentials as a Certified Holistic Coach and Associate Credentialed Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation to transform how leaders create change.
Nick specializes in partnering with startup founders and organizations to develop strategy and manage changewhile helping individuals grow into more conscious, impactful leaders who make meaningful differences in their companies and communities.
His impressive career includes serving as President & COO at Hummingbird Humanity, where he helped organizations create human-centered workplace cultures through diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Prior to that, Nick led a Global Health organization with operations across Ecuador, Nigeria, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala, extending his impact to more than a dozen countries worldwide. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to launch Social Insight, a consulting firm focused on social innovation, philanthropy, and impact investing.
A proud father of two boys, Nick remains deeply committed to community service as Past President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and former Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6560. His academic credentials include post-graduate certifications in Executive Nonprofit Leadership and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University, complemented by a Diploma in Social Innovation from the University for Peace in Costa Rica.
Nick's contributions have earned recognition as an Indy's Best & Brightest finalist in the Education/Nonprofit sector and as a finalist for the International Center of Indiana's Global Impressions Award for his worldwide impact.
"During my time on the board with Malembe Rise, I’ve been fortunate to visit our work in DRC and see first hand the impact that we are making. While it’s sometimes difficult to understand the importance of supporting youth in the Congo and its impact and relevance to us in Central Indiana, the truth is we are all connected and the work we do there matters, to Congolese and to Hoosiers alike. I serve on the board of Malembe Rise because I care deeply about what’s going on around the world and the ways that we can make a difference locally and globally. us reach more compassionate."
---Nick Reich
From Our Hearts to Yours: A Message of Gratitude
As conflict continues to cast shadows across eastern Congo, your unwavering support provides hope. We are profoundly grateful for your generosity, which does more than fund programs—it nurtures dreams, cultivates leadership, and plants seeds of change that will flourish for generations.
While eastern Congo faces unimaginable hardship, you help us create sanctuaries where young people discover their potential. These young leaders represent Congo's greatest hope—a generation equipped with the skills to rebuild, the compassion to heal, and the vision to guide their communities toward peace.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Your partnership makes transformation possible, and your impact is felt daily in the confident smiles of students who now see themselves as changemakers. Your support isn't just appreciated—it's essential to everything we do.
With deepest gratitude,
The DRC and US Malembe Rise team
