From Poverty to Slavery, to a Vision for Vibrant Communities

From poverty in Cameroon to slavery in Qatar, and several near-death experiences, Bertrand Fonsa is no stranger to hardship. With a deep passion to make a difference in the world so that no one has to experience poverty the way he has, Bertrand is now leading his life to become a speaker, coach, and entrepreneur with a message of hope and a passion to end poverty and build vibrant communities.

My confidence level has tripled.

After attending The Global Leadership Summit for the first time in 2022, he has been reinvigorated with courage to press on and make a difference with the calling God placed on his heart. “My confidence level has tripled,” said Bertrand. “I’m more eager to read powerful books, invest more resources and time in my worth and value, build a network of like-minded people, and continue to chase my dreams. Since attending the Summit, I’m feeding my mind and making myself resourceful so that I can offer more services to humanity. I’m revisiting my goals more often, setting tangible plans, projecting my vision five years from now, and gaining clarity on where to go from here.”

With newfound courage, Bertrand looks back on his life and recognizes how despite the pain and hardship he has faced, God can use it to change lives in the future. He realizes that even being alive now is a testament to the fact that God is at work in his life. “Exactly how I happen to be alive today remains a mystery still to be unfolded,” said Bertrand. “From the very onset of my first tragedy—a fire that killed two of my siblings and deformed and left my kid sister and I at the mercy of death and scars—I’ve realized that life is meant to be lived by the living and battles are meant to be won by the survivors. People I have never met have surfaced from nowhere for my rescue, which if you asked me why, I would categorically say, God has always been with me all through my struggles, right up to this moment. I have always had the conviction to see God in every beautiful soul that comes across my path every blessed day.”

Poverty cuts off so many opportunities in life which I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

Back in Cameroon where Bertrand grew up in a peasant community, he would ask his parents about other parts of the world. After watching TV for the first time, he was blown away by how other people lived so differently—like a fairytale. “I have always hated poverty and our living conditions,” Bertrand shared. “Poverty cuts off so many opportunities in life which I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.”

“Everything about my being is not ordinary,” Bertrand continued. “What God has assigned me to accomplish on earth could be part of the reason why I was born in a peasant community under very impoverished living conditions. This has motivated me with the drive to stand up for God, my community, and the rest of the world. I watched my parents and siblings, especially my mom, suffer under deplorable living conditions. Then out of poverty, I was trafficked and sold as a slave in Qatar, where I was beaten and spat on. I’ve been abandoned in the desert, left for dead, innocently jailed, maimed in Congo, and deported several times in my struggle for survival, even struggling in the U.S., yet I have survived. Above all, I’m standing up for my vision to protect my wife and children, and desire that no one go through what I have gone through.”

My motives and vision for a better future have served as a huge drive to me while I was a slave.

Bertrand’s greatest conviction is to support and build powerful and sustainable communities and leaders around the globe, especially in developing countries. “My motives and vision for a better future have served as a huge drive to me while I was a slave, beaten, jailed, intimidated, deported, neglected, criticized, injured, denied, and abandoned. Yet, I was steadfast and trusted God through it all. I knew if I was broken, many people would suffer and perish. I believe my survival can impact the survival of many nations and generations yet to be born. I feel I have a responsibility to humanity to serve them before I die. My drive is bigger than the sum of my failures and trials. I have been turned down several times seeking avenues to develop my book projects, getting avenues to develop and launch my projects, seeking support and training, resources and many other opportunities, yet I have never thought of backing down even for a second.”

Through resources like The Global Leadership Summit, Bertrand’s main focus today is to invest in himself to prepare for the mission God has bestowed upon him. “I am seeking every avenue I can to learn new skills, engage in more meaningful relationships, and get resources to support God’s visions through me in building and creating vibrant communities through different areas including agriculture, health, education, pharmaceuticals, transportation, food processing, and economic viability.”

I have a responsibility to humanity.

“My favorite part about the Summit is sharing it with my community and network,” Bertrand shares. “I encourage anyone to come learn new skills and connect with like-minded people. It is transformational!”

Join Bertrand and others at The Global Leadership Summit and discover how God may want to encourage YOU on your journey. Learn more at GlobalLeadership.org/Summit.