Earlier this year, AfricaXChange brought together African actors and representatives from international organizations, to reflect on the future of development in Africa. Hosted by three US-based foundations with roots in Africa, the event aimed to spotlight locally-led approaches, share innovative models and encourage bold action.

The experience was energizing and offered plenty to reflect on, but it also surfaced a familiar tension. At times, we found ourselves questioning the gap between the ambition of the conversations and the lived realities of grassroots leaders.

The “we” here is Rachel Smith VP of Programs at GlobalGiving, and Luke Jakoywa Founder of Sheepcare Community Centre in Kenya.

“It was a great opportunity, but I did feel there weren’t many grassroots leaders like me in the room,” Luke said.

This article shares Luke’s story and the reflections he and Rachel brought back from the conference, offering a chance for us all to ask together:

How might we shape spaces where those already leading change in their communities (though often unseen) are not just included, but centered?

What We Mean By ‘Grassroots’

The term “locally-led” is gaining welcome traction in development and philanthropy spaces. But even within that, there are important distinctions particularly when it comes to how close organizations are to the communities they serve.

Luke’s organization, Sheepcare Community Centre, is what many would call truly grassroots: deeply rooted in local context and shaped by community priorities. Yet organizations like his are not often visible and still overlooked in high-level conversations.

They might not speak the dominant language of development or have the systems in place to navigate complex funding processes, and they rarely get a seat at high-level meetings. Yet they are often the first to respond, the most trusted by their communities and the most consistent presence in times of need—which is exactly why GlobalGiving works to bridge funding gaps for community-based organizations like Sheepcare Community Centre.

Luke’s Story: A Leader Rooted In Community

Luke grew up in rural Kenya, raised by a single mother and supported by Catholic missions to pursue his education. After working as a computer consultant for the Kenyan government, he was building a house in Nairobi when he encountered a group of children living in the nearby slums. Moved by their situation and drawing on his own experience of being helped as a child, he paused the construction project and began caring for the children.

That decision marked the start of Sheepcare Community Centre. What began as a small initiative has grown into a thriving community development vehicle whose main goal is community transformation through the provision of quality education, health care, agriculture, water and sanitation, currently serving more than 700 children across two sites, supported by a staff of 49.