Hey there! I'm Sarah Castor-Johnson, the US Country Director for Malembe Rise - a role that has truly been one of the greatest privileges of my life. While I've been in this position for the past five years, my journey with this incredible initiative spans over a decade as one of its funders and supporters.

With a Master's in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, I've had the opportunity to witness firsthand the remarkable ingenuity, inherent skills, and sheer beauty that exists within the communities we serve in Congo. It's been incredibly humbling and inspiring to work alongside our amazing team and students in Congo, seeing young minds reimagine their futures and the future of their communities by recognizing and utilizing the assets around them.

I truly believe that curiosity and imagination are at the heart of driving social change. And there's nothing more rewarding than watching students tap into that mindset, daring to dream bigger and bolder for themselves and their community. It's what keeps me going and continually reminds me of the transformative power of this work.