CUTV News Radio spotlights author Colleen Cole

Porters Lake, Nova Scotia – In Swahili, the word “Umoja” means to build unity and harmony within families, communities, nations and the world. But the journey for umoja can also be an internal journey of discovering who you are, understanding your value, finding your purpose, and living with passion to experience peace and satisfaction.

Colleen Cole is an international speaker, humanitarian and the co-author of the upcoming book Umoja: A Journey from Success to Significance. The book recounts her first trip to Africa with International Needs, an Ontario-based Christian charity that works in 30 countries. Traveling 6,000 miles through five African countries in 32 days, Colleen and her teammates provided business counselling and capacity building to help these African communities build sustainable projects.

But what began as an African safari soon became a journey of transformation.

“Our role was to build “umoja,” that unity and togetherness, but the real Umoja happened within my own self,” recalls Colleen. “The trip showed me what I’m made of. It helped build my confidence and it showed me that humanitarian, developmental work is what I have a passion for.”

True to her vision of a life of adventure with purpose, Colleen will soon launch an Umoja Journey, crossing six continents to raise $1 million for women's projects in developing nations.

“When my husband died, I could not see a future,” says Colleen. “Now I have a whole new outlook. If I can do it other women can, too. It's about discovering how you can make an impact beyond your own life to transform lives and change communities.”

For more information on 2-15 Umoja Journey, visit http://umojajourney.com/