This is for people who want to start initiatives, NGOs and movements but have no money and have no idea where to start. I am giving you advice thats worked for my team and I here in Africa so I hope it helps.

When you Google how to start an NGO it will give you the steps but very unrealistic advice. It tells you to register your NGO, with which money???? It will tell you to apply for grants, make a website, get an office and hire a team. You have $0.00 who is going to pay for this?

So you have this brilliant initiative, your plan could save so many lives if you got funded but you don't know where to start. You have no connections, you are Jon Snow, you know nothing. My advice is write down your initiative, make a simple word document or download a template.

You might not have all the information for the template but it will help you understand what you are trying to do and if you are ready for it. Activism isn't an easy job, it will drain you and leave you feeling like shit. It'll break and build you so be very sure it's what U want

You have to pick a specific cause you plan to start with. Is it period poverty or hunger? Stick to it and expand from there. Don't overwhelm and disappoint yourself by starting with everything. Its okay to start small, think smart and see the bigger picture.

Find a team passionate about your cause, people willing to work just as hard for it. Normally I would advise you start with friends because they will go above and beyond to ensure this work is done. And don't just get any friend on your team, get those with expertise you need.

You need a firehouse with proposals, someone with connections, you need a social media guru, a brilliant marketer, a finance person, a graphics designer, a lawyer, and someone great with people. You need these things the most and if you have IT/Software Engineer, you're good.

Google will tell you to start applying for proposals now but what Google won't inform you is that most grants are given to NGOs already doing the work. People don't want to give money to "ideas" they want to invest in programs that they know are working and can vouch for.

Here is what you do, find the cheapest way to start your initiative. A social media page/group. Volunteering at orphanages & community schools. Donating clothes & shoes. Free tutoring or anything that won't cost you much. You need to invest in yr idea, be it with transport money

Your clothes or your knowledge. That way people see that it's an idea worth investing in. Most places & orphanages are so open with working volunteers, go for it. Another important thing is your social media, I can not stress this enough, guys use all your social media.

You donated clothes? Tweet about it. You were tutoring and volunteering talk about it. You are not showing off, you are documenting your work and showing people there is need for all of us to help. Before people work with you, they want to see what you've done.

Social media is the best form of advertising you will ever get and trust me, if you have no money your initiative will fail without it. 99% of our donations @SistahSistahFo1 come from social media. People see our work, they know who we are, who we help and why. You need that.

Network + Network + Collaborate

Join groups, attend other people's events and partner with different NGOs. NGO circles all have the hook up you need: someone looking to donate, someone looking to hire your team or someone willing to volunteer. Don't be a loner & unsupportive.

Now Grants: a great proposal will get you noticed and in the door. I've written horrible ones, some great ones and I've reviewed quite a number and been part of teams that vote on proposals. You can have a brilliant idea but a poorly written proposal will make you lose the grant

Make sure you write them well and apply for as many as possible. You might not get them but you will get your writing practice in. Also prepare for disappointment and don't take it personally when people never come through. It happens a lot. People promise to donate, volunteer

Hire you and never do. Only believe people when they do it. Also don't make promises you can't fulfill. Be creative, have heart, work hard and always talk about your work. Become your movement and don't be afraid to take every opportunity. Just believe in your work.