At work: Kenneth is always ready to assist those around him
As we mark Humanitarian Day in the upcoming month, we celebrate the dedicated staff who serve our communities every day, often going above and beyond their call of duty
ForAfrika’s Leadership Award for 2023 went to Kenneth Abala, from Uganda, for his exceptional leadership qualities. He was recognised as an above-and-beyond servant leader who has contributed to outstanding success for this country’s programmes.
When Kenneth joined ForAfrika in 2020, he was deployed to work in the Rhino refugee settlement. At that time, there were neither motorcycles nor vehicles to support the field team and Kenneth, with his other colleagues, covered an estimated journey of 10 kilometres every day on foot to provide services to farmer groups.
This meant carrying heavy farm implements on his head to ensure that people received what they needed to survive.
Kenneth is motivated to assist others because as a child he was internally displaced himself and he experienced the kindness of others.
“We could receive food items and other essential goods from the World Food Programme or the Red Cross Society. Our parents received training on how to establish a kitchen garden around our small house in the camp. I witnessed how kind and considerate the humanitarian workers were. This prompted me to always want to work in the humanitarian field so that I can support any person of concern the way we were supported,” he says.
He is currently working in Karamoja, one of the most insecure and volatile regions in the country, where he has been able to make inroads for our programmes and bond with leaders in the region.
“I want to use my skills and knowledge to solve problems and make the community where I work a better place. My dream is to continue evolving and improving to better serve humanity through the application of technology and collaboration,” Kenneth says.
“Kenneth can simply be defined as a true leader, he is dependable, compassionate, and disciplined. But, what makes him truly great is his commitment and consistency. He never removes his foot from the accelerator once he starts the journey,” says acting Country Director Allan Tingu.
