Afful, Charity

Charity Afful is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.  

The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. 

Charity is a member of Bishop Lunge United Methodist English Church in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The church is related to the Central Congo Annual Conference. In Sunday school, Charity taught English language to the children. “Assisting with teaching children the word of God,” she said, “gave me a chance to know better and learn about God.” 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies and English and a master’s degree in Human Rights, Peace and Development at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe.  

“Systemic barriers,” Charity explained, “continue to cause socioeconomic issues for local communities, particularly in Africa. These gaps range from environmental concerns to homelessness, from social intolerance to abuses of human rights, from careless government oversight to deteriorating educational standards, from drug usage to gender-based violence and social inequities.” 

Lacking the capacity to address such issues, political systems exacerbate problems. 

“Communities are left to struggle with these challenges and the effects that come with it,” Charity said. “Those of us [who want] to contribute to the solution are constrained by our skill sets and lack the experience necessary.” 

Charity believes the Global Mission Fellows program holds the key as she broadens her knowledge of volunteering in her community. 

“The most effective technique to develop leadership skills,” she said, “is through volunteering. In many ways, it aids in career development.” 

Charity looks forward to learning and building critical, interchangeable work skills such as task management, leadership, collaboration, communication and organization, while establishing a connection with the community.  

“I will gain experience working as a team member in various settings and with various types of people,” she said. “I will enhance my talents and apply them to fill skill shortages in my team and the community. I’ll gain the knowledge I need to tackle similar problems in my own community and future career.” 

Charity is especially concerned about the many older adults, widows and other people who fight to survive. “African society, including the church, has not yet accepted women as partners on an equal footing,” she said. “As a result, many African women are left to struggle alone with their children. Most lack the necessary education and means of subsistence to maintain their families. The number of this group increases daily.  

“While society downplays its obligation, the church fills the gap by offering support and psychosocial support services. This is carried out by many factions.” 

Charity was inspired by her father, Innocent P. Afful, a Global Ministries missionary. He died April 17, 2023, at age 49. “I have seen missionaries put their faith and all in their work, and believing that God is using them to change the lives of the communities, they are serving,” she said. 

She welcomes the opportunity to join Global Mission Fellows. “I can bring transformation wherever I go,” Charity asserted.