I Am African And I Can: Ibrahima Diallo

Education: The Hope that Guinea needs

At 26 years old, Ibrahima Diallo is not concerned about purchasing the most exotic, eye-catching, high-speed car available on the market. His concern is finding ways to open doors for the youth in Guinea, Conakry to have access to education.

"I feel that it is my responsibility to do something about it, and to make sure that others see what I see," expressed Diallo --President and Executive Director of Maryland-based 501c3 non-profit organization, Hope of Guinea (HOG)-- about his vision for promoting education in Guinea, Conakry.

HOG provides financial and moral support to underprivileged children in Guinea from elementary school to high (tuition coverage, tutoring and any necessities that'll help them excel). The organization has rewarded 12 children, thus far, with scholarships (60 percent of whom are girls). And, just how is the selection done? HOG seeks the "best." Students with high grades, but whose parents are not able to finance their education.

Diallo got involved with HOG when the organization was just founded in 2010, because he saw a way he could help stir it in the right direction while it was still anew. And he has.

Hope of Guinea's founder, Saloumba Cherif, admitted that when Diallo jumped on board, the Hope of Guinea ship took off, because of his professionalism, dedication, optimism and "strong character." Adding that, "when [Diallo] decides to do something, he'll do it to the end... he is someone everyone wishes to have on their team."

Who wouldn't want on their team someone with a stern character, who is full of life, passionate, easy-to-get-along-with and a mentality of putting others first?

Diallo's philosophy is very straightforward, "how can I go through you to impact others?" It is built upon the idea that helping one person can work like a ripple effect; if one person is touched and empowered, that person can do the same for others.

Diallo is very proud of his educational background. He holds two degrees from the University of Maryland (in Government and Politics, and Business) and in December 2013, completed his Masters in Information Technology at Georgetown University. At the moment, he is Manager of Accounts Receivable and Payable for "one of the biggest National Associations in the United States."

One of the things that HOG is most proud of is the public library the organization is currently building in Dixinn (in Conakry). And now, they are taking things up a notch by inaugurating a new venture, which brings the library to the people. How? Through the use of mobile libraries. With the 30, 563 French books that HOG received from "Books for Africa" through a partnership in November of 2013, HOG plans on decorating vans with these books and have the books delivered to several schools.

After the infamous virus, Ebola struck the Guinean populous in March, many have canceled their plans of visiting the country. That is not the case for Diallo. "Ebola or no Ebola," Diallo said that he is going to land in Guinea this month with full-force to inaugurate the recreation facility that his organization has been working to implement. It seems like not even a deadly virus can stop someone like Diallo, a man who is devoted to his mission despite complications that arise.

This leader, proponent of education wants to "bring about global change." He insists that by the time he is done doing all the things that he is passionate about and is no longer alive, he doesn't want people to say that he was the "richest guy," he wants people to say that he was someone who lived his life to the fullest while making a difference in the lives of others.

A Glimpse of Diallo's World:

"I am a stress-free person. I am always happy. What's there to be stressed out about? If there's a problem, go find a solution."-Diallo

Hope of Guinea's 2013 Gala

(L-R) Alpha Sylla (Director of Membership at Hope of Guinea), Diallo

Hope of Guinea's 12 scholarship recipients

Diallo photographed this photo during his trip to Guinea in 2012, because it reminds him of what reality is like for some. This is the photo he glares at everyday, because it pushes him to keep striving to make a difference.