UrbanPromise International identifies, trains and resources emerging leaders to initiate, develop and sustain Christian-based youth development organizations as they serve vulnerable children and teens in our world’s most under-resourced communities.
In 2009, the UrbanPromise School for Entrepreneurial Leadership(UPSEL) was created to fulfill this mission and has now trained over 120 Fellows—young men and women who have returned to their countries and communities to create 29 UrbanPromise affiliate ministries, serving thousands of young people through holistic programs focusing on social, emotional, academic and spiritual development. Below are the Fellows currently enrolled in UPSEL, working on a Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership/Non-profit Management, training in a local chapter of UrbanPromise and developing their post-Fellowship ministry organizations.
This year, we are excited to welcome fellows from Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia and Nigeria! We currently have 8 fellows engaged in their second year within our school of leadership and 5 who've just begun their journey with UPI.
As part of their fellowship experience, they form an international choir that performs in churches throughout the country. Interested in having the UPI fellows come to your church or event?
Click here to book or email Sandy Newhall!
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Dorothy Kamoto, Age 25 Malawi, Africa
Ms. Kamoto graduated from African Bible College in Malawi with a degree in Mass Communication and has now completed her Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University. Ms. Kamoto will be partnering with Lucy Nkwinika to launch a new UrbanPromise affiliate in June 2021 called Young & Empowered, focusing on literacy, feeding programs and youth development in Southern Malawi.
Giftie Umo, Age 30 Nigeria, Africa
Ms. Umo has an undergraduate degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of Calabar, Nigeria and recently completed her Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University. Ms. Umo has created a non-profit organization called the Leading Girl’s Network which is now an affiliate of UrbanPromise International. With over 10 years’ experience of working with girls and youth in Nigeria, her plan is to return home and continue providing mentorship and support through After-School programs, vocational skill training program and outreach to young mothers.
John Kathuri, Age 31 Kenya, Africa
Mr. Kathuri graduated with a degree in education from Kenyatta University and joined forces with UPSEL graduate, John Mureithi, to create YouthPromise Kenya—a youth organization seeking to bridge the digital divide by providing computer literacy training to impoverished youth and young adults in the city of Embu. As an UPSEL Fellow, Mr. Kathuri recently attained his Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University and is developing his fundraising and administrative skills to ensure the sustainability for YouthPromise, Kenya.
Lucy Nkwinika, Age 26 Malawi, Africa
Ms. Nkwinika graduated from the African Bible College in Malawi with a degree in Mass Communication and will receive her Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University in May 2021. After her UPSEL Fellowship she will initiate a new UrbanPromise International affiliate called Young and Empowered with Dorothy Kamoto in Southern Malawi. Young and Empowered will run after school programs, summer camps and will focus on literacy for children.
Edmond Sloh, Age 30 Liberia, Africa
Mr. Sloh served with UrbanPromise International affiliate Liberian ministry CELDI as the director of administration, prior to joining the UPSEL program. Holding a Business Administration under-graduate degree from the University of Liberia, he will also attain his Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University May, 2021. Mr Sloh’s vision is to help CELDI expand its outreach to Liberian youth through after school programs, summer camps and schools. Currently he is building long term funding sources for CELDI through expanding their Child Sponsorship Program.
Lester Nkhoma, Age 31 Malawi, Africa
Mr. Nkhoma graduated from the African Bible Collage with an under-graduate degree in Christian Education and will attain his Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University in May 2021. Upon returning to Malawi, Mr. Nkhoma will initiate a new affiliate ministry called Good Promise in an under-resourced, rural community called Nguluwe—located outside of the capital Lilongwe. Good Promise will create programs for children and teens focusing on academic, economic and leadership development.
Hamilton Banda, Age 25, Malawi
Mr
. Banda’s under-graduate degree is in Biblical Studies from the African Bible College in Malawi. Currently working on a Masters’ Degree in Organizational Development from Cairn University in Philadelphia, he will return to Malawi in 2022 to build on a ministry he started to children living on the streets of the capital, Lilongwe. Mr. Banda was the beneficiary of an UrbanPromise International affiliate ministry called, YouthCare Ministries. At the age of 8, Mr Banda was rescued from the streets and given shelter and education through a program called Safe Haven. His organization, called Life Coaching Ministry, will provide education, shelter, Christian formation and food for orphans.
Kelly Maxted, Age 34 London, England
Mrs. Maxted’s under-graduate degree is in Theology from the London School of Theology and is currently attaining her Masters’ Degree in Organizational Development from Cairn University, Philadelphia. Kelly and her husband, Luke Maxted, plan to start UrbanPromise London in June 2022. One in four children raised in London currently grow up in poverty. With a vision for long term youth development, as well as providing college preparation and workforce skills for 18-20 year old’s, UrbanPromise London will be a beacon of hope in London’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.
Gift Mkonkha, Age 26 Malawi, Africa
Mr Mkonkha holds an under-graduate degree in Christian Leadership and Business Administration from the African Bible College, Malawi and is currenting attaining a Masters’ Degree in Organizational Development from Cairn University, Philadelphia. Mr. Mkonkha is a beneficiary of UrbanPromise International affiliate YouthCare Ministries— participating as a camp leader, intern, acting accountant and high school teacher over a 14 year period. At the conclusion of his Fellowship, Mr. Mkonkha will return to YouthCare Ministry to serve in a senior leadership role and help the organization move towards financial sustainability.
Charity Kiviu, Age 31 Kenya, Africa
Ms. Kiviu holds an under-graduate degree from Kenyatta University, Kenya with a Bachelor of Science in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently attaining a Masters’ Degree in Organizational Development from Cairn University, Philadelphia. Prior to joining the UPSEL program, Ms. Kiviu served as a volunteer with YouthPromise, Kenya. Her vision is to return to YouthPromise in 2022 and initiate a vocational training program to help marginalized youth to gain necessary skills for employment and self-employment.
Luke Maxted, Age 32 London, England
Mr. Maxted attained his under-graduate and graduate degree in Theology from the London School of Theology. After graduating he worked as a Baptist pastor in London and served as a Children and Family Minister at a suburban Anglican Church. Luke is married to Kelly Maxted and they have two sons, Reuben (8) and Judah (5). As an UPSEL Fellow, Luke is planning and preparing to launch UrbanPromise London in 2022.
Klah Doteh, Age 40 Monrovia, Liberia
Mr. Doteh studied Theology at the Liberia School of Theology and is currently working on his Masters’ Degree in Organizational Development at Cairn University. Prior to entering the UPSEL program, Mr. Doteh used his musical talents to minister and disciple youth in Monrovia, collaborating with UrbanPromise International affiliate, CELDI Liberia, by conducting youth choirs and leadership training for high school youth. Upon returning to Liberia, Mr. Doteh will continue to collaborate with CELDI through creating mentorship, discipleship and music programs for disadvantaged youth.