What Sankofa Means to Us: Reclaiming the Past to Rise into Destiny
The Akan word Sankofa reminds us that healing, education, and empowerment start by honoring where we come from. Here's how it shapes our programs.
By Dr. Lakeysha Mattis h.c.
A word that carries a movement
Sankofa is an Akan word from Ghana that means "go back and get it." It teaches that we cannot move forward with clarity unless we recover the wisdom, stories, and strengths our ancestors left behind.
At Oasis of Hope International, Sankofa is more than a name for our blog — it's the lens through which we design every program.
Why we chose it
We serve families who have been told to forget where they came from in order to succeed. We reject that lie. Real transformation happens when identity, faith, and history are integrated with education and opportunity.
What you'll read here
Expect stories from the field, practical resources for parents and youth, and honest reflections on housing stability, wellness, and economic empowerment. Every post ties back to our five pillars of impact.