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HomeAchievers'Belmont and Beyond' Program Kicks Off with Raise the Roof Founder

‘Belmont and Beyond’ Program Kicks Off with Raise the Roof Founder

David SsebulimeThe Belmont and Beyond Kickoff event Monday offered an inspirational program and speaker, David Ssebulime, a native of Uganda and the ninth of 14 children. Ssebulime’s childhood was deeply shaped by Sunday school and playing drums in his father’s church. When his father passed away, he was taken to a village orphanage, and at the age of 9, he joined the African Children’s Choir and toured Europe and North America. Feeling called to service and Christian ministry, Ssebulime dedicated his life to the many African orphaned and at-risk children. He is the founder and development director of Raise the Roof, Inc., a non-profit organization whose goal is to establish, outfit and resource permanent village schools that will educate and nurture leaders to shape Africa and the world.

During Monday’s event, Ssebulime encouraged students to ask themselves three questions: Which path do I take and where is my heart?; Is this something I really care about, and I’m passionate about?; and Is it big enough that I can invite others to help me? A graduate of Vanderbilt University Divinity School, he currently serves as director of missions and outreach at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Monday’s program was sponsored by the Office of Career and Professional Development and the Belmont and Beyond Advisory Board in conjunction with the campus theme, “Living in a Global Community.”

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