🔎 Episode Summary

In this episode, Jamie and David sit down with Thomas Keown, founder of Many Hopes, a survivor-led nonprofit working across Africa and Latin America to rescue children from abuse and exploitation. The organisation supports them into adulthood as leaders and change-makers.

Thomas shares an extraordinary personal journey. He discusses how he grew up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, worked on delivering the Good Friday Agreement and shares how those early experiences with conflict, injustice and reconciliation shaped his view of leadership, patience and long-term change.

From a chance encounter with a Kenyan journalist in Mombasa to an accidental meeting that sparked the creation of Many Hopes, this conversation traces how purpose often emerges without a master plan.

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to build an organisation slowly, ethically and sustainably, resisting pressure to scale fast, learning from painful mistakes and keeping identity separate from mission to avoid burnout. This episode is a powerful reflection on leadership, trust, and why investing deeply in a few can eventually transform the many.

Hosts: Jamie Dundas and David Brown - Good Space

Guest: Thomas Keown - Founder of Many Hopes

🧠 Key Takeaways

From Northern Ireland to Global Justice:

Thomas’ upbringing during the Troubles taught him that pain can either perpetuate conflict or inspire a different way forward, a lesson that now underpins Many Hopes’ survivor-led model.

Accidental Beginnings, Enduring Purpose:

Many Hopes didn’t start with a grand vision or strategy deck. It began with people asking a simple question: “Is there something I can do?” Purpose emerged through action, not planning.

Rescue Is Only the Beginning:

Many Hopes doesn’t just remove children from harm, it commits to walking with them for years, equipping survivors with education, stability and character so they can one day help others.

Scaling Slowly to Scale Well:

The organisation spent its first decade working in one country, refining its model before expanding. Trust in local, survivor-led partners is both its greatest strength and greatest risk.

Leadership, Identity & Burnout:

Thomas reflects candidly on mistakes: hiring missteps, moving too fast, and tying his personal identity too closely to the organisation.

🛠️ Tools, Models & Ideas Explored

Survivor-led change as a long-term development model

Slow growth as a strategy for excellence and trust

Deep investment in people over rapid expansion

Monthly giving as a foundation for sustainable impact

💡 Best Quote “History takes a long time to happen overnight.”

🔗 Connect With Many Hopes

🌐 Website: https://manyhopes.org

🎥 Watch The Rising film: https://youtu.be/-g-mrZsrga4

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