Keep Your Dream Alive

I salute the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. for his visionary contribution to American society, and all the visionaries around the world. We all have a dream: to make the world a better place. We don't have to do it alone.
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January 21st we celebrated the vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for this nation. I have two boys, and we are expecting twin girls. I feel humbled that my children live in this great country, and will have the same opportunities as other children. Many people have worked hard and died so our children can enjoy the gifts of freedom and equality. I thank all the visionaries, known and unknown, who have given us an education system available to all, a democratically run government for and by the people, and an organization by which we can break the chains of poverty for those most in need. Today, I call all would-be visionaries to join me in making not only a greater country, but a better world.

One never knows where one will find a visionary leader. In November 2012, I had an opportunity to visit Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. The purpose of the trip was two-fold; to promote my book at the 14th World Book festival and to meet with my host in Malaysia, Mr. Seow, owner of Probase Manufacturing.

He launched the Probase Road System in 1998 and has dramatically transformed rural areas by actively making soil roads better with his sealing system. His personal mission is to make every muddy and dusty road in the world passable.

Mr. Seow read my book a year ago and said "I want to be a part of your vision, and do something for orphaned children in Uganda." He went on to visit both Nyaka and Kutamba schools in June 2012. While at the schools, Mr. Seow compared me to Argentinian architect César Pelli, the visionary who built the Petronas Towers in downtown Kuala Lampur. It took seven years of construction to erect the twin towers, and included the single largest and longest concrete pour in Malaysian history. In all, 470,000 cu ft. of concrete was continuously poured through a period of 54 hours for each tower. The concrete shell and basement required two years to complete, and up to 40 workers on site 24 hours per day.

When Mr. Seow recounted the story, I was humbled. The orphaned children in our Nyaka school system, and Uganda in general, needed a visionary who would do whatever it took to improve their lives. I just happened to be that man. But I did not make my journey alone. Like Martin Luther King, Jr., I was a man with a dream. Without every staff member, every volunteer, every student, and every granny associated with Nyaka Aids Orphans Project, none of our success would have been accomplished.

I salute the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. for his visionary contribution to American society, and all the visionaries around the world. We all have a dream: to make the world a better place. We don't have to do it alone. If you have the vision, others will follow. You only need to take the first step.

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