I believe in an African continent free of foreign aid dependency, one able to develop sustainable societal, political and economic stability from within. In alignment with the ideas and principles of the #ShiftThePower Movement, I promote the work of local NGOs in Sub-Saharan Africa who are working towards these goals independently, without Western influence.Numerous academics have provided proof of the negative consequences caused by the wave of aid coming to Africa from the West, particularly since Live Aid. Since 1970, more than 2.3 trillion US dollars have been spent on so-called aid projects. International aid organizations are still trying to improve the living conditions of African communities, but despite all efforts, over the last 50 years poverty has increased in most Sub-Saharan African countries.I want to call out for a greater focus on the strength of local communities and the chances to create sustainable solutions by using Indigenous knowledge. I would like to connect with like-minded organizations, activists and all those who share the vision of letting local initiatives take the lead.In my dissertation which is based on an ethnographic study spanning four years I analyzed the sustainable changes caused by a local NGO in Sierra Leone. It demonstrated the need to have a deep understanding of the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial situation of the respective country, as well as cultural and religious knowledge to be able to achieve sustainable development. A focus lies in the need to strengthen the role of women.Besides my work for PfefferminzGreen I am a proud member of the supervisory board of MAKE-A-WISH GERMANY, a meaningful charity that fulfills live-changing wishes for seriously ill children and in this way strengthens their medical treatment tremendously.