What is intentionality? As the Holy Book says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Intentionality, then, is the clarity behind your actions and the reality of your desired outcomes. It’s about having a clear purpose and being fully committed to achieving it.
Many times in life, we find ourselves acting without intentional thought or purpose. It takes a keen and aware mind — a “woke” mind — to understand the thin line between being intentional and merely going through the motions. Many believe they understand intentionality, yet they often fail to grasp it fully.
In my recent experiences as a 36-year-old entrepreneur in a developing nation like Kenya, I’ve come to appreciate that intentionality, at its best, is unique and requires a mind that is both aware and experienced. The systemic issues in Kenya, especially those that hinder the success of the livestock value chain, make our mission of using data and finance even more challenging. Yet, it’s in these challenges that the true meaning of intentionality is revealed.
The Woke Mind: A Key to Intentionality
So, what is a “woke” mind? In my understanding, a woke mind is one that has been educated through experience. It’s not necessarily about formal education but about learning through the trials of both success and failure. This type of mind is capable of processing complex situations and devising solutions in the most unique and innovative ways.
Take, for instance, our current challenge at Imfuyo , using data and finance to address food security, specifically milk production, as well as financial inclusion and impact. The obstacles we face are profound, involving factors such as governance, advocacy, infrastructure, and even human goodwill.
Success Stories at Imfuyo
At Imfuyo, as witnessed by successful case studies on our blog , we have found ourselves very successful in the area of intentionality. We have intentionally used data and finance to drive goat milk production, promoting financial literacy and injecting financial solutions such as livestock insurance and credit to drive FFI (food security, financial inclusion, and impact). We have farmers earning as high as $20 per week due to our intentional efforts. You can read more about that here:
The Reality of Intentionality
Intentionality, in my view, is about understanding how to work with what is real, what is available, and what is functional in real-time. It’s about avoiding the trap of daydreaming and instead focusing on practical solutions that can address the significant issues of food security, financial inclusion, and impact — what we call FFI at Imfuyo.
Intentionality requires us to recognize the gap between what is possible and what is impossible, and to consider the timing of reality and the future based on past experiences. By using data and finance wisely, we can navigate the complexities of our mission, not just in Kenya but in other nations as well.
Living for the moments that make the best stories 🤞🏿. This is the personal understanding of impact and intentionality as far as Imfuyo and Bernard Njathi, the Founder and CEO, is concerned.