By Louisa Bojesen

I was first introduced to Concern Universal through Richard Harvey, former CEO of Aviva. He had come to the CNBC studios in London where we were interviewing him about his upcoming gap year and work in Africa.

My daily schedule couldn't be further from Africa. On a daily basis, I get up at 3:30am and work on-air as part of the early 3-hour breakfast show, SquawkBox.After this, I do live updates into other programming. I absolutely love what I do and am in the luxurious position of being able to speak to a whole range of experts throughout the day on topics that move, or are related to, the financial markets.

Richard Harvey's “story” – why he chose to exit the city for the benefit of doing volunteer work in Africa – inspired me to get involved. As it is, I am a firm believer in charity work, and it is also often by removing yourself from your own comfort zone that you not only learn a great deal about subjects you may not otherwise come across, but you also gain perspective on your own life.

The Ghana trip was a great opportunity to learn first-hand about a host of important issues and simultaneously communicate these through Richard Harvey by putting together a programme based on the trip for CNBC.

From a business perspective, we experienced the direct and devastating impact of climate change and food shortages. We learned about sustainable farming projects, visited areas affected by deforestation and lack of clean water, followed small communities working together on microfinance projects (such as shea butter production), and witnessed how “hidden” opportunities exist for the country (for example, through further use of the wild-growing jatropha tree as a biofuel source).

From a personal perspective, there is such a difference between hearing about things and actually seeing, feeling and experiencing them. I couldn't have asked for a better education on these topics than the one I received during the trip. And in my position, this is key. Knowledge in these areas is essential for a greater understanding of how the world works.

I was most impressed, however, by the people we encountered along the way. Life is not easy when you don’t have water and when entire communities depend on a harvest, which may or may not be successful. Yet, the determination by the local villagers to make improvements, regardless of the struggle in doing so, was inspiring and admirable.

The help that Concern Universal and Richard Harvey provide is very much a "hands-off’" approach, ensuring that local communities are in the driving seat, but simultaneously recognizing the importance of close cooperation between businesses and NGOs. The desired outcome is the same for both sides: sustainable change.

I am delighted that we managed to make this project happen. Everyone involved – whether giving skills, time, advice, or funds – is an equal part of this. To quote a saying I heard in Ghana, "If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito."

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