Our Team
YmaGrace Koomson
I, YmaGrace, am passionate about transforming the lives of African’s suffering financially worldwide. As the Founder of Africa Hopes In Christ, we sponsor and mentor young, African men and women entering the business arena. I pride myself as being an experienced net-worker, connecting Africans for the purpose of building a strong, united black race within Africa our motherland. And we are aware that without Christ as our counselor, we labor in vain.
Why I Do What I Do
I was raised in Sierra Leone and I come from a family of historical figures. My great granddad was mayor of Freetown Sierra Leone, in the nineteenth century, and my uncle was head of state in the 1960s. I discovered that my uncle gave the country its first profitable year, resisting the temptation of bribery, that usually leads to economic ruin for most African countries. This instilled confidence in me, Then at the age of 12 I was told that we hailed from freed slaves. This information jolted my confidence but also embolden me, producing a lifelong passion to improve the lot of Africans and fight racism, poverty and disunity among us.
Education
I attended the prestigious Annie Walsh Memorial School and acquired a BSc in Economics at Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone famous for giving Freetown, Sierra Leone the nickname "Athens of West Africa" due to its many notable graduates.
Work Experience
My employed career spanned from 1987 to 1999 in the finance, accountancy field Then from 2000 to 2015 as a self employed bookkeeper/ accountant.
In 2015 I realised that my dream to empower Africans was stagnant and i had to take a leap of faith and start Africa Hopes In Christ, a mission giving to me in 1972 at the age of 12. From that date onwards 28th February 2015, I have never looked back and Africa Hopes In Christ has exponentially grown to supporting many students, businesses, churches and charities led by the Lord Jesus Christ himself, using me and several divine helpers as His willing instrument.
Featured Interview
Regional Leadership
Mr. Rowland Stevens
West Africa Area Representative
Rowland Mounda Steven respected, family man married to Lulu Stevens and has several children. And a respected member of the United Methodist Church Located in Mopaileh village Moyamba & Freetown Sierra Leone West Africa.
Education
Early Education in Moyamba District, Southern Province Sierra Leone West Africa Tertiary Education Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone West Africa gaining a BScs Economics PostcGraduate Education a MBA at St Clements University, Australia
Work Experience
Teacher at St Michael's Moyamba, Annie Walsh Memorial School Freetown, Howard Manicipal Secondary School, Shenge, Moyamba Internal Auditor at the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board Finance and Administrative Assistant at UN ( Food and Agriculture) Head of Moyamba Team at the Peace Building, Care International after Sierra Leone civil war Also employed at . .Development Agency, National Commission in Social Action in both Moyamba Southern District and Koinadogu, Northern District .Mechanical Service Unit of Sierra Leone Roads Authority as Internal Auditor .Sierra Leone Association of Non Governmental Organisations as Programme Manager . Monitoring Evaluation Specialist at Bumbuna Hydro Electric Project .Executive Director of a community based organisation called Integrated Development Initiative .Member of Board of Directors of Audit Service Sierra Leone .Chairman of Internal Audit Committee of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education
Mrs Jenipher Kaswarra
East Africa Area Representative
Mrs Jenipher Kaswarra born in Misenyi village in Western Uganda. Now lives 6 miles outside Kampala on Airport Road. She is married to Jon with 5 children. And a committed born again Christian and elder of the Yesu Akwagala church in Kampala, Uganda
Education
Kayebambe High school at Fort Portal city, West Uganda Makere University in Kampala, Uganda achieving a BEd degree
Work Experience
1st professional position : Ambassors of Hope orphanage, children from 3 -11 years. An USA Christian organisation as Head Teacher From 1988 to 1991 From 1991 to 1998 Various Teaching and Head Teacher Roles in Uganda Personal primary school Mnsis school at Seguku, ( near Kampala) Uganda Children Aged: 3 to 11 Position: Owner/Principal From 1998 to Present
As an African I treasure the spirit of nationalism and Pan Africanism, instilling the spirit of Africanism in all the children in our care. We gratefully received, books and stationery especially the book " How to unlock your genius using Black history by David Simon" via his Simon Education SEADS program, introduced to us by Africa Hopes In Christ.
Oliver H. Bandawe
Southern Africa Area Representative
Education
Oliver is a family man, a Christian based in Zimbabwe. Oliver is a seasoned Humanitarian and Development Professional with over twenty-one (21) years of progressive experience in project and programme management within the humanitarian and development sector.
Education
He holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree in Psychology, a Diploma in Business Entrepreneurship, and a Diploma in Mental Health. He further possesses professional certifications in: Certificate in Cash Transfer Programming – Level 1 Advanced Level (Level 2) in Cash Transfer Programming Training of Trainers (ToT) in Cash Transfer Programming (Vouchers, Electronic Transfers, and Cash Grants) in Humanitarian Response Compliance, Safety and Security Project Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Caring for Vulnerable Children
Work Experience
Oliver has extensive expertise in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Programming, resilience building, humanitarian emergency response, food aid and social protection assistance, education programming, and youth and women empowerment initiatives. He has successfully managed complex, multi-layered donor-funded projects, including research initiatives and knowledge management hub programmes, ensuring compliance, accountability, and measurable impact. Climate Change Initiatives and Advocacy Oliver is actively engaged in climate-responsive programming and community-based adaptation initiatives aimed at strengthening vulnerable communities against the increasing effects of climate change. His work integrates climate risk analysis into humanitarian and development programming to ensure that interventions are sustainable and forward- looking. He has contributed to initiatives that: Promote climate-smart livelihoods and income diversification strategies for vulnerable households. Strengthen community resilience frameworks, enhancing adaptive and absorptive capacities against droughts, floods, and other climate-induced shocks. Integrate social protection mechanisms such as cash and voucher assistance to buffer climate-related economic shocks. Support youth and women-led climate action initiatives, encouraging participation in environmental stewardship and green entrepreneurship. Advocate for locally led adaptation approaches, ensuring communities are central in climate solution design and implementation. Promote early warning systems awareness, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and anticipatory action strategies. Oliver strongly believes that climate justice is inseparable from social justice. He advocates for equitable access to resources, inclusive climate financing, and policies that prioritize marginalized populations who disproportionately bear the burden of climate change. He promotes partnerships between humanitarian actors, government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and local communities to build sustainable, climate-resilient development systems. His passion lies in building innovative and technology-driven solutions that address social and climate challenges, ensuring that communities are not only resilient but also empowered to thrive despite environmental uncertainties. Oliver is committed to mentoring and developing future leaders who value collaborative partnerships in development, embrace innovation, and leverage emerging technologies for sustainable impact. He advocates for social justice, human rights, and inclusive development models that leave no one behind. Through strategic leadership, policy advocacy, and community-centered programming, he continues to contribute meaningfully to humanitarian response, sustainable development, and climate resilience building
