User:Samu0202/sandbox

Name: Kenneth Raydon Sharpe

Born: 27 January 1973

Spouse: Ludmila Sharpe

Children: Tatiana Sharpe

Residence: Harare Zimbabwe

Education: Peterhouse School, Marondera, Zimbabwe

Occupation: Investor

Early Childhood

Ken spent his childhood in the colonized country until he was forced to depart for neighboring South Africa during it’s violent civil war in 1978. He would later return to the landlocked Zimbabwe after it gained its independence in 1980. Upon his arrival back, seven year old Ken was catapulted into a new era of social change, cultural integration and uncertainty from a land he used to be familiar with.

Family

In 1988 at the age of fifteen, Ken travelled overseases and wouldn’t return to Africa for another two years. This is where he met the love of his life, Joanna; who was from the Ukraine (Soviet Union at the time). The couple were married in 1993 and three years later welcomed their only daughter, beautiful Tatiana, who today is - amongst many other talents - head of her own philanthropic organization, an African ballroom dancing champion, and “the youngest book writer in Zimbabwe” having written “The Lonely Tiger” – a children’s book.

Business In 1990, Ken established a confectionery and food distribution business. Over the last 20 years the business has ripened into the Holdings Company “West Group.” Some of the visions have been: West Food Distribution, West Beverages (bottling), West Agencies, Intercrop (Agri Inputs), West Sanitary Pads Manufacturing, West Oils (edible Oils), FellowGold Mining and West Properties and Augur Investments Ltd (Real Estate Development). From 2001 to 2003 Ken threw his hat into the beverage market in South Africa. Ken established one of the most effective mechanisms to compete with the Coca Cola Company. He created mini bottling units, which IFB sold as complete turnkey projects under a franchise scheme, which would use brands and other raw materials he created. In 2003, he sold his interests. Interests and Hobbies A private family man, Ken’s and Joanna have been married for 19 years, raising their daughter together but also sponsoring a foster son for the last three years – particularly in education. Kenneth Sharpe Zimbabwe family is his number one priority and main source of hope, inspiration, courage and love. After family, Ken’s other passions are traveling, cycling, theater, skiing, God and philanthropy, and simply relaxing with friends and family. He’s also discovered an immeasurable passion for simply being alive; having been given a second chance.

2007, Ken gets a second chance January 2007 would be another life altering year for the young businessman, but in a very different way. Whilst on a private family vacation to Whistler, Canada Ken survived a life threatening ski accident. As a result of the mishap, he suffered from the possibility of permanent brain damage and memory loss. According to doctors, his chance of recovery was only 2% and the outcome looked bleak. After surgery and many prayers from friends and family, Ken miraculously woke up after five days in a coma; ironically on his daughter’s 11th birthday (something she hoped and had faith that it would happen). But during what seemed like his hour of desperation, Ken had a spiritual encounter which altered his perception and perspective on life. He believes life is a precious gift from God’s and what we do with it is our gift to Him, and his purpose and mission going forward is to make real lasting and sustainable changes in his personal, family and business life. “Paying back” what’s been given to him, Ken actively participates in charitable and philanthropic activities in his country and all over the world. Ken has also interacted at a senior Government level in Zimbabwe in an attempt to try and contribute positively toward the socio/economic impact he has in his homeland by making a difference. His focus is to drive poverty alleviation, job creation and responsible transformational development through FDI (foreign direct investment) - hence his involvement in the World Economic Forum - where he represents the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) as the “Doing Business in Africa” and the “Family Philanthropy Network” Chair. He has been an active member of the Harare YPO Chapter since February 2005, serving as the Chapter Forum Chair, Education Chair and youngest Chapter Chairman in 2008. Ken has given presentations and speeches on these experiences and his resultant driving motivation is being enthralled throughout the world. Philanthrophy Kusimbisa Trust is all about uplifting the less fortunate in a way that’s "giving them a hand up, instead of a handout." The goal is sustainability.We’re all familiar with theold adage saying “…teach a man to fish, rather than give a man a fish...” but how can anyone become a fisherman when there’s no fish or pond to begin with? We believe the first step is to learn how to build the fish pond. With this concept in mind, the Trust wishes to identify community based projects driven by both youth and women while interacting with them as an added value partner. The Trust will provide initial finance capital to kick-start the projects and once they are making a profit it will distribute the funds to the beneficiaries; the underage and underprivileged indigenous Zimbabwean children/woman. The projects need to be practical and relevant to provide economic prosperity to the marginalized and disadvantaged récipients while bringing long-term development to communities. To accomplish this, we have identified a method and business model where: Projects are located to provide microfinance/small loans to women and children who ordinarily find it impossible to access working capital. These loans will assist them in their start-up of “small cottage industry” type businesses. The trust will partake in a maximum 50% profit business venture. These profits will be used to reinvest in similar projects allowing the financing model to grow and sustain itself. In addition, the profits will also be used by the Trust to make donations of food supplies and educational materials where situations are extremely dire and the beneficiaries are in a position of immediate need. It is the strategic intent of the founders to continue to protect, serve and add value to the capital of Kusimbisa Trust; ensuring the greatest impact is met for the community, and it’s projects. That every child and woman involved in this mission are the sole beneficiaries of what we’re trying to accomplish.