🎙️ In this powerful episode of the Landmark Difference Makers Podcast, we speak with Wendy Huffman, founder of Let’s Make the Difference, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved communities around the world. Through transformational education, community development, and grassroots leadership, Wendy and her team are creating lasting change—especially in refugee camps across Africa.
A Legacy of Love and Purpose
Let’s Make the Difference was born out of loss and love. After her husband Bill passed away while mentoring teachers in Africa, Wendy made a promise to carry on his mission. That promise became a movement. Starting with sponsoring Landmark Forum participation for teachers and refugee leaders, the organization has since expanded into a multi-country, multi-program initiative aimed at peacebuilding, education, and economic empowerment.
From Forum Seats to Community Impact
Wendy began by funding access to Landmark’s programs for those in communities with little opportunity—eventually supporting over 160 individuals through the Forum, Advanced Course, and Introduction Leaders Program. While these programs helped participants transform their lives internally, Wendy quickly realized they also needed support with food, jobs, and security.
This led to community-driven initiatives like:
- Peace & Conflict Resolution Campaigns (with over 1,500 participants and measurable reductions in violence)
- Tree-planting projects to restore deforested communities
- Women’s health and empowerment programs, including family planning education and reproductive health tools
- Vocational skills training, such as a refugee-led bakery producing 200 loaves of bread daily (with potential to scale to 2,000)
Listening, Not Leading
Wendy credits the real success of Let’s Make the Difference to listening—letting local leaders define what their communities need and then standing behind them with support and resources. From sponsoring 80 women in Daniel Komunga’s African Women’s Leadership Program to funding youth development and permaculture training, every step has been led by those on the ground.
A Heartfelt Connection
Despite the distance, Wendy describes the participants as her extended family. Many refer to her as “Mom,” a role she initially hesitated to accept until she realized how deeply these relationships had become part of her life’s purpose. “I’m committed to being the space where others can be heard and see their own brightness,” she shares.
What’s Next?
Wendy is now focusing on:
- Expanding the Peace Campaign to additional refugee camps
- Launching a grant-funded initiative to produce 2,000 loaves of bread daily for food-insecure communities
- Bringing women’s reproductive education to new regions
- Growing youth leadership, health, and sustainability programs through schools
She’s also calling for corporate sponsors, angel donors, volunteers, and collaborators to join the movement.
✨ Want to hear Wendy’s full story? Listen to the episode now and discover what becomes possible when one person says yes to purpose and listens for what’s needed.
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