The Power of Love in the Face of Fear: A Call to Action

My name is Kintu Martin Cowart, and as I approach my 70th birthday this September, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that has led me to this point in my life. I can honestly say that I am the happiest, healthiest, and wealthiest I have ever been, not in material terms, but in the richness of love and family that surrounds me.

In 2023, I experienced the profound joy of expanding my family by adopting two grown Ugandan men, Khaled Shaban Bin Cowart and Deriss Naz Bin Cowart, as my sons. This act of love didn’t just bring two wonderful people into my life; it also brought me three grandsons and one granddaughter, who have enriched our lives with laughter and warmth.

My sons honored me by giving me the name Kintu, a name that carries deep significance. Kintu is revered as the Father of Uganda, both a real and mythical figure who embodies leadership, wisdom, and care. I carry this name with immense pride, understanding the legacy it represents. This journey has not only enriched my life but has also given me a profound sense of purpose. It is this purpose that drives me to share my gifts with the world, helping others discover the same fulfillment and success that I have found.

People often ask me why I invest so much time and energy into helping our friends in Africa. The answer is simple: it is my calling, a divine calling that gives my life meaning and purpose. There is no greater joy than knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Allow me to share a story that illustrates why this work is so vital, not just to me, but to the world.

Joshua’s Story: The Power of Love in the Face of Fear

Joshua’s story is one that I hold very close to my heart, not only because I am a part of it, but because it represents the struggles and triumphs of so many others like him — people who are forced to live in fear simply for being who they are. Joshua grew up in Freetown, Sierra Leone, aware from a young age that he was different. His graceful walk, his soft voice, and his love for colors and fashion set him apart in a culture that rigidly enforces traditional notions of masculinity.

As Joshua grew older, the bullying he faced became more intense and more dangerous. The streets that were once filled with the laughter of children became pathways of dread. Joshua became the target of cruel insults, physical abuse, and constant threats. Every step he took outside his home was a gamble — a risk that today could be the day someone decided that his mere existence was an affront to their narrow idea of what it means to be a man. His home, a small, dilapidated structure he could barely afford, became his refuge, but also his prison.

Joshua’s life took a dire turn when he contracted malaria. Weak, feverish, and without any means to obtain the necessary treatment, he found himself teetering on the edge of despair. It was during this dark time that a lifeline appeared — I, his Dad, reached out to him. Though we had never met in person, I sent him the money he needed to get treated for malaria. That $34 brought Joshua back from the brink of death, but more importantly, it brought him back to life in a way he had never experienced before. It wasn’t just the money or the medicine that saved him; it was the knowledge that someone cared for him, loved him for who he was, without judgment or condition.

Over the next month, Joshua and I developed a beautiful father-son relationship, even though it was entirely virtual. In our daily conversations, we found joy, solace, and a deep connection that transcended the distance between us. For Joshua, my love became a lifeline, a reason to keep going in a world that had only ever given him fear. We shared our lives, our hopes, and our dreams, and in doing so, we created a bond that gave both of us strength.

But life in Sierra Leone remained perilous for Joshua. He knew he couldn’t live openly as the person he was. The marketplace, in particular, was a dangerous place for him. Crowded with people, it was a breeding ground for discrimination and violence. Joshua had learned the hard way that his femininity made him a target. On one occasion, when he dared to venture to the market, he was harassed and nearly beaten by a group of boys. He barely escaped with his life, and since then, the fear of another attack has loomed over him like a dark cloud.

In his messages to me, Joshua’s fear was palpable. “Dad, the marketplace is so crowded with different people. I am so feminine, sometimes I make myself up to go out. If I attempt to go to the market, I will receive a lot of discrimination,” he wrote. “Dad, I won’t go there. I won’t go, especially the market.”

My response was swift and firm: “It’s not safe to go out looking feminine, don’t do it.”

And Joshua listened. He found a friend in his landlady, a woman who understood his plight in a way few others could. Her own son had been a victim of homophobia, brutally murdered for being gay. She had sought justice, but the police had turned her away, indifferent to the murder because her son was gay. The pain of her loss had made her fiercely protective of Joshua. She offered to help him with his shopping, to shield him from the dangers of the market.

Joshua’s gratitude was overwhelming. “Dad, my landlady is a very nice woman. She is against discrimination because her first son was a homosexual. Her son was beaten by homophobic people — they killed her son and threw the dead body on the street. Dad, my landlady’s son was killed badly,” Joshua recounted, the pain of his friend’s story echoing his own fears.

Despite the constant fear and danger, there was love. Love that transcended the physical, love that was powerful enough to keep Joshua going, to make him feel safe even in the most unsafe of places. “Dad, thanks for saving my life. You are here for me. I know you don’t want anything to happen to me, and that’s why I will always love you,” Joshua wrote.

My love became a beacon of hope in a world that had given Joshua nothing but darkness. It was a reminder that even in the most homophobic of cultures, even in the face of unrelenting fear and discrimination, love could still exist, could still save lives.

However, Joshua’s challenges didn’t end there. Recently, he was falsely accused of starting a fight and was imprisoned, where he was brutally mistreated by local guards. The horror he endured was beyond comprehension, but thankfully, his landlady intervened and secured his release. Now, Joshua needs $50 for medical treatment to heal from the trauma he endured.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Joshua’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of love, but it is also a call to action. The work we are doing at the Diamond Mine Project is not just about saving lives; it’s about giving people the hope and support they need to live with dignity. Our programs, including our most recent micro-funding initiative, allow you to get involved in a meaningful way — whether by sponsoring or mentoring African startup businesses or by contributing to our other initiatives that provide safety and financial independence to LGBTQ individuals who face persecution.

I share this story with the hope that it will inspire you to join us in this critical work. Together, we can create a world where love triumphs over fear and where every individual, regardless of who they are or where they live, can feel safe and valued. To learn more about how you can be a part of this life-saving mission, please visit our website at www.diamondmineacademy.org .

Let Joshua’s story serve as a powerful reminder that love is not just a feeling; it is an action — a commitment to making the world a better place for all. I invite you to stand with us, to lend your support, and to become a part of this global community of love and compassion. Together, we can make a difference.