As the Northeast continues its struggles in keeping our heads and hearts above water, inspiration comes from an unlikely place: the Horn of Africa, where countries are also faced with disastrous weather crises. In this case, the worst drought in 60 years has racked Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya – and others beyond – with severe famine.

In times when it seems we cannot see beyond the mud and the dust, there come gifts that lend rays of hope. Today we salute a young leader named Andrew Adansi Bonnah, an 11-year-old boy from Ghana, who has pledged to raise money for his fellow Africans affected by the famine.

Andrew began his campaign, Save Somali Children from Hunger, in the beginning of August. He has pledged to spend his summer school break raising funds to help alleviate the rising numbers of people hurt by hunger. After setting up a special bank account for donations at the headquarters of Ecobank Ghana in Accra, young Andrew has appeared as a guest on TV shows, radio programs, and even addressed representatives of the African Union, United Nations and other donor partners.

Andrew’s energetic determination is important, so important, in the specific: in generating money to buy food desperately needed by struggling victims, in African youth committed to a better future for everyone on the continent, in understanding the factors crucial to a healthy long-term development as well as those to a short-term solution.

For those of us so far removed (if not in heart, than by physical distance), Andrew Adansi Bonnah is an inspirational leader in the general. There are lessons to be learned in working within our community, no matter how small or large we consider our community to be. To be learned in implementing not only quick fixes for our causes, but developing strategic long-term plans by understanding the many layered facets. To be learned in that hope, not matter what our world may throw us – no matter how much rain, or how little – will rise and make the sun shine.