Growing ROOTS

Cedric Nwafor (above) ’18 connects with children in Liberia, one of the countries where ROOTS Africa—a student-led organization that he founded—fights poverty and hunger while promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable agriculture.

On a trip earlier this year, Nwafor and other students from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources teamed up with the Liberia International Christian College (LICC) in Ganta, Liberia, to develop ways to help improve farming and agricultural practices in the country.

“You have to listen first—only then can you really have an impact,” said Nwafor, who came to the U.S. from Cameroon. “For communities that are struggling, one size does not fit all. But we came in as equals to students at LICC and put in the months of prep work with weekly meetings and constant communication to build the most impactful program based on the actual needs and problems facing the community.”