We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gloria Sakombi Walker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Gloria Sakombi , thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Yes, A Gesture of Love DRCongo serves an underserved community. Our mission focuses on providing education, leadership training, and essential resources to vulnerable populations, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where systemic challenges such as poverty, political instability, and lack of infrastructure have left many communities without access to quality education or opportunities for growth.

One story that highlights our work is from a visit to a refugee camp where children, displaced by conflict, lacked even basic schooling. In the camp, we met a young boy named Samuel who dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, with no school nearby and no access to learning materials, his dream seemed unattainable. Our organization stepped in to provide educational supplies and support for a makeshift learning space. Through this initiative, Samuel and dozens of other children began learning English, mathematics, and leadership skills.

This work matters deeply because education is a pathway out of poverty and a key to rebuilding communities. Without it, these children risk becoming part of a cycle of instability. By providing tools like computer classes, libraries, and leadership training, we empower them to dream bigger and make a tangible difference in their futures.

Our brand serves these communities by not only addressing immediate educational needs but also fostering long-term development through partnerships with local and international organizations. Every initiative we take represents a step toward equity, opportunity, and hope.

Gloria Sakombi , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the founder of A Gesture of Love, a Houston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities here in Houston, and particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). My passion for creating opportunities through education and leadership was inspired by witnessing the challenges faced by children and families in underserved regions. These experiences ignited my commitment to fostering change by addressing the barriers that prevent access to education, resources, and personal growth.
A Gesture of Love provides a range of services aimed at empowering communities. Our primary focus includes educational drives (such as back-to-school campaigns), leadership training, and implementing resources like libraries and computer classes in schools. We also collaborate with refugee camps to support displaced children and help them access education. Additionally, we are partnering with the military system to bring leadership and English education to military schools, ensuring that no community is left behind.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach—combining education, leadership development, and resource provision to create long-term solutions. We believe in building systems that enable individuals, especially children, to dream and achieve beyond their current circumstances. Whether it’s helping a young refugee discover their potential or introducing technology to schools with no prior access, we are committed to bridging the gap between what is and what could be.
I am most proud of the lives we have touched and the dreams we have helped ignite. Seeing a child light up when they hold their first book or learn their first English phrase keeps us going. I want people to know that A Gesture of Love is not just about charity—it’s about empowering communities to rewrite their stories and create sustainable change. We are here to remind them that their dreams are valid and achievable with the right support.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that illustrates the resilience of A Gesture of Love is from when we worked to establish a library in a remote school in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The school had no books and very limited resources. Our team faced numerous challenges, including difficult terrain, limited funding, and logistical delays. At one point, transportation of the materials was halted due to local unrest, and we worried the project might not succeed.
Rather than give up, we rallied support from local volunteers and international partners. We worked tirelessly to secure safe passage for the materials and collaborated with the community to rebuild the school space. Despite these obstacles, the library was completed, and seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they held their first books was a moment of triumph that underscored the importance of perseverance.
This journey taught us that resilience is about staying focused on the vision, even when the path seems uncertain. It’s not just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about finding solutions that bring people together and create lasting change. That experience reinforced our commitment to empowering communities, no matter how challenging the road ahead may be.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When our team discussed serving students internationally, we were going to ship school supplies to the schools, and entrust the campus staff to pass them out to students. We were not confident that all the school supplies were given to students, so we decided to personally make the International trip and personally handout the items to the students. This change has given our organization more exposure, authenticity and integrity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agestureoflove.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/agestureoflove?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glowalker01?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/YQRenfIThv8?si=jRYA9ciGw_yXh01G

Image Credits

Sephora Sakombi