When Ruddy and I started working together, she had her doubts-mainly about the distance. She’s in Douala, Cameroon, and honestly wondered if virtual mentorship could really work. Wouldn’t face-to-face be better?
But here’s what we both discovered: distance isn’t the barrier we think it is. Connection is what matters.
We went back to the drawing board together-redid her entire business plan, reworked the financials, sharpened her pitch. It wasn’t easy, but Ruddy showed up ready to learn. And when her project got approved? That moment made everything worth it.
What gets me most is how she now presents her business with such clarity-especially its impact in the green sector. She found her voice, her confidence, and honestly, watching that shift happen through the TEF program was beautiful.
To anyone hesitating about mentorship: don’t let fear or distance hold you back. Sometimes the right guidance comes from the most unexpected places.
Believe in yourself and take that step forward.
Ruddy, I’m so proud of you. Keep going, keep growing. We’re all behind you. RUDDY TAKERE, CAMEROON
When Annabel and I started working together, she was in that all-too-familiar place-brilliant business idea, but tangled up in the “how do I actually make this clear?”
But here’s the thing about mentorship: it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about creating space for someone to find theirs.
We worked through her business plan together, sharpened her pitch, got her documents ready. And honestly? Watching her go from “this feels overwhelming” to confidently owning her vision— that’s the part that stays with you.But here’s what we both discovered: distance isn’t the barrier we think it is. Connection is what matters.
We went back to the drawing board together-redid her entire business plan, reworked the financials, sharpened her pitch. It wasn’t easy, but Ruddy showed up ready to learn. And when her project got approved? That moment made everything worth it.
What gets me most is how she now presents her business with such clarity-especially its impact in the green sector. She found her voice, her confidence, and honestly, watching that shift happen through the TEF program was beautiful.
To anyone hesitating about mentorship: don’t let fear or distance hold you back. Sometimes the right guidance comes from the most unexpected places.
Believe in yourself and take that step forward.
Ruddy, I’m so proud of you. Keep going, keep growing. We’re all behind you. ANNABEL MALATA, MALAWI
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