African man brings message of passion, purpose

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Staff Writer

Isaac Djangmah’s passion is his faith, and it’s that passion that brought him on a visit to Ottawa all the way from Ghana, Africa.

“I’ll share something that I think can help people gain a sense of mission, a sense of purpose, a sense of hope, so that they will be able to strive forward to whatever dreams they’re aspiring for in life,” he said.

Djangmah spoke to children Thursday morning at Ottawa Middle School and plans to speak at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Washburn Towers, 526 S. Main St., and at an area church Sunday.

Old friends

Djangmah’s connection to Ottawa is through JoAnne Fluke, an Ottawa resident who met Djangmah in 2003 when she traveled to Ghana to distribute wheelchairs with Joni and Friends Ministry.

“He actually became my interpreter while I was over there, and we became friends,” Fluke said. “Years later, my dad and I went back to Ghana and Isaac helped build a house with us. We’ve kept in contact ever since.”

Fluke has caudal regression syndrome, a birth defect involving such malformations as the absence of the sacral, lumbar and sometimes lower thoracic vertebrae. In her case, Fluke’s spine ends at her waist.

To help others with similar disabilities, Fluke spends her time bringing people together and inspiring them to go help others.

Helping others

Fluke’s trip to Ghana was part of the Wheels for the World effort — an effort Djangmah spends time volunteering with.

“They send old wheelchairs to prisons in the United States,” Fluke, a former Ms. Wheelchair Kansas, said. “The prisons refurbish them and send them to Third World countries.”

Fluke’s efforts didn’t end in Ghana. She was able to establish her own ministry, “Reaching Up, Reaching Out,” which is designed to motivate others to reach their fullest self-esteem through spiritual growth and then encourage those people to reach out to others.

One of the ministry’s activities is Saturday Night Light, which is what Djangmah will speak at this weekend. The event usually is every third Saturday of the month at Washburn Towers.

Far from home

So far, Djangmah is enjoying his stay in Ottawa. While it’s not his first trip to the country, it is his first stay in Kansas.

“Most people I’ve met have been very nice and very welcoming,” he said. “It seems like a nice place. It’s not very loud like big towns.”

Although he’s only in town until Wednesday, Djangmah has a packed schedule with appearances in the community and sightseeing to do.

After his speech Saturday night, Djangmah will speak at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cherry Street Wesleyan Church, 933 N. Cherry St.

“I want to live a life of integrity and bring hope to my generation,” he said. “That is what I strive for, and that is my motivation — to bring a sense of hope and purpose to my generation across the globe.”

Herald staff writer Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.