Leaders Transforming Their Community - Meet Ezechiel

Ezechiel longed to make life better for his village. Each day, he worked hard to make a difference through his soap-making business—but it just wasn’t enough. Dreaming of a brighter future was impossible when all they could think about was daily survival.

When Leather + Iron met him and asked what would help his community break free from survival mode, he knew clean water was the first step. By telling Ezechiel’s wish to our network of partners, The Living Water Project was able to a drill a well and his community was transformed! For the first time in generations, they could dream again.

After his village gained access to clean water, Ezechiel started coaching others in his village who wanted to make a difference too. Two of these new leaders were Lydia and Daniel. With hearts to transform the next generation, they searched for ways to influence the youth. They discovered that many kids longed to play basketball. When Ezechiel and these leaders brought a Leather + Iron basketball court to their rural village, it wasn’t just the children who were impacted. Through the construction process, a friendship was formed between two village officials who once refused to work together. Now, they are supporting Ezechiel, Lydia, Daniel, and others as they shape the next generation of leaders! All of this was possible because of the water well and basketball court they received.

At Leather + Iron, we believe that ordinary people can be the key to changing the next generation. We also know that it is vital to let locals to their regions be the conduit of this change. And through Ezechiel, we've seen it to be true! He went from living his life day-by-day to now being a key leader that is transforming his community, enabling hundreds of kids to live a better life. Ezechiel is someone these kids can look up to and say, "I believe we can change our future because we saw Ezechiel do it!"

If you’re passionate about breaking communities out of a cycle of survival mode, donating today is a great way to help. Your generosity will find more leaders like Ezechiel—click here to make your gift today!