From Brazil to Africa: A Radical Reimagining of Purpose | Ft. Rafael Rodrigues Ep. 068 [Part 1]

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What happens when success doesn’t feel like success?

In this powerful episode, we meet Rafael, a Brazilian changemaker who walked away from a traditional path to pursue humanitarian work in Africa. Raised in the harsh realities of São Paulo—where seeing violence was part of daily life—Rafael followed society's rules until a moment of deep reckoning at age 25.

Inspired by author Paulo Coelho, Rafael left behind everything familiar and traveled to Malawi, where his passion project Playing for Africa was born—literally from music played in local bars. As he connected with communities and asked the simple question, “How can we help?” Rafael’s journey turned into a movement: building under-five clinics, establishing sustainable farms, and sponsoring education for young women.

But Rafael's mission isn’t rooted in charity—it's grounded in Okondwa, the Malawian word for joy. He offers a refreshing lens on humanitarian work, choosing to highlight the beauty, dignity, and strength of the people he works with rather than focusing on poverty and need.

Whether you're feeling stuck in your own definition of success or curious about how one person can drive change, Rafael’s story is a testament to courage, purpose, and the power of listening.

🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Rafael’s upbringing in São Paulo and early trauma
• The moment he walked away from a “successful” life
• How Playing for Africa started with a guitar and a dream
• Building health clinics with no initial funding
• The meaning of Okondwa and why joy matters in storytelling
• Rethinking success and finding purpose through service

Follow the host and the podcast on Social Media channels below:

• My Thick Accent on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mythickaccent/
• My Thick Accent on Threads - https://www.threads.net/@mythickaccent?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• MyThickAccent.com - https://www.mythickaccent.com/
• Gurasis's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamgurasis/
• Gurasis's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamgurasis/

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To contact Rafael:

• Rafael's LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-rodrigues-online?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B3GPdX3QhTFGp2mAvF1gd2A%3D%3D
• Rafael's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rafa_drodrigues/
• Rafael's Company's Website | https://isolutionsfactory.com/
• TEDx at Bogota, Columbia | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxZL1UzYldo

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