Q&A about Konnekt World, mobilizing mentors for young Africans

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Hi friends,

As part of my birthday celebration this year, I am working with Ghanaian non-profit, KonneKt World, to mobilize 100 people in my network to volunteer their time to mentor.

The organization is spearheaded by Phyllis Kuenyehia, a seasoned executive with a decade and a half experience in investment banking and technology in the US. I outlined my full motivations and purpose with this birthday drive here.

This Q&A with Konnekt addresses the questions one may have about joining my campaign as a mentor. Please return to the birthday campaign page and sign up if you find these responses aligned with your interest and capabilities at this time. Again, thank you so much for you interest and support.

KonneKt World Q & A

1: What are the areas in which mentees need help and support? What are their age groups and locations?

  • Education: This plays a major role in our quest to achieve our set goals and dreams. Attaining ones dreams in life, sometimes doesn’t come on a silver platter; it takes excess learning and courage to break down boundaries to reign in your chosen field. Education gives us a knowledge of the world around us and changes it into something better. It develops in us a perspective of looking at life. Education is very important but have you for once, asked yourself, how many unemployed graduates we have currently in our country as a whole? To be educated means, having had a good training; being knowledgeable and refined in judgment. So here at KonneKt World Gh, we offer a global professional mentoring and coaching platform with personalized programs that support your emotional, academic, and professional wellbeing. KonneKt is unique because we adopt a holistic view of the individual.

    “ Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcom

    “An investment in knowledge pays best Interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

  • Career: How can one be successful in life? Is it by hard work and determination? Well, I think every successful person we see out there, has his/her own story to tell the world. The struggles and challenges they faced on their journey to be successful. Most of the great men we see out there, were once “nobody”. So then you ask yourself, how were they able to make it to the Apex. How did it all happen? Sometimes, we need career expert or people who are abreast with the knowledge concerning what we aspire to be or seek to do, to serve as a guide or a go-to-source on our path. From skills development to advice on working in a changing environment, your KonneKt mentor will answer your questions, review your background and objectives, share practical strategies for success, and follow up to discuss milestones and results. "Failure doesn't mean you are a failure it just means you haven't succeeded yet." - Robert H. Schuller.

    “When you engage in a work that taps your talent and fuels your passion-that rises out in a great need in the world that you feel drawn by conscience to meet-therein lies your voice, your calling, your soul’s code”. - Stephen Covey.

  • Relationships: Relationships are imperative for many reasons such as increasing our emotional well being, creating stability. We all need someone to lean on in times of difficulties and challenges that life presents. Whatever it is you are facing, there is always someone who went through similar problems/challenges and overcame with Faith, Hardwork and Optimism. At KonneKt, we are eager and we promise to offer you professional guidance and be a pillar/shoulder to lean on. We promise to be at your beck and call whenever you need us.

    “Nothing reinforces Professional relationship more than enjoying success with someone” – Harold Ramis.

    “We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encourages instead of Critics” – Joyce Meyer

  • Emotions: Going through difficulties in life is a sure thing; No one is exempted. Here at Konnekt, We listen to your most difficult challenges and fears, then we work with you to develop custom, effective strategies—ones that can turn those challenges into tools that yield extraordinary results in any area of your life.

    “Emotion is more powerful than reason. Emotion is the driving force behind thinking and reasoning. Emotional intelligence increases the mind’s ability to make positive, brilliant decisions.” – Dr T.P Chia

  • Networking: This is where most people fall short. Some people desire to run whatever business they are engaged in without networking. Developing a well-established network plays a vital role our daily lives. The calmest way to grow your network is to build on the relationships with people you know; family, friends, classmates, colleagues and acquaintance's. This might increase the possibility of you excelling in your chosen field.

    “Your network is your net worth”. - Porter Gale.

    “Networking is not about collecting Contacts, It’s about planting relations” – Misha.at

Age group is 20 years to 35 years.

Location : 80% of mentees are located in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The 20% are in other cities of the country.

2: How committed are the mentee to this programme?

The mentees are committed 1000 percent because they are hungry for the opportunity in order to grow and bring value to themselves and their communities. They genuinely believe in the vision for our initiative. All it takes is to walk them through the necessary steps to enable them achieve their objectives.

3: How will they prefer to communicate?

They will prefer to communicate through Email, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Zoom.

4: How will the mentoring relationship fit in their studies, lifestyle, home or work pattern?

That is determined when the mentee and the mentor KonneKt, talk, get to know each other and then have a plan around each other’s schedule. Both parties will work with mutually convenient schedules. We can make that happen when the time approaches or the need be.

5: Will the Mentee take a primary responsibility for arranging meetings and setting the agenda?

Yes, they will take full responsibility of setting meetings and the agenda subject to mentor approval.

6: Are the mentees clear on what help a mentor can and cannot offer them?

Mentees are clear on the role and responsibilities of a Mentor and Mentee. This is emphasized at every stage of the relationship to avoid any ambiguity. Our Mentor-and-Mentee-working relationship is strong. We don’t impose on them, we do as they say. We create a conducive environment that makes them feel at home.

Do sign up to mentor here