Welcome to the Goldworth Foundation
About the Founder, Tom Goldworth (Biotechnologist & Juris Doctor)
Hi, my name is Tom, founder of the Goldworth Foundation. When I was a child, I dreamt of a world that would be free from abject poverty. Despite the misery around me, I harboured an inextinguishable yearning to one day make a difference to the world around me. I was determined to live a life driven by purpose and substance but I wasn't quite sure what that would look like.
During my humble beginnings as a young boy, I was inspired by my parents, Sahr (father) and Sia (mother) Thomas, who, against all odds, embraced politics after studiously growing a small business as pharmacist and midwife, respectively.
The flames were kindled at a young age, watching my parents build an outstanding legacy out of nothing. Thus, at the tender age of 7, I had witnessed the resilience, tenacity and never say die attitude of my parents who, as early professionals, decided to marry young and embark on their own business, initially to grow wealth, and eventually, to provide employment and save lives.
But as they served their communities, they realised they had no choice but to participate in political life and lead change from within. Their self-belief was vindicated and my father was overwhelmingly voted the representative of his constituency, by his party members.
That decision predicated a season of immense transformation in the community and beyond, that ended abruptly due to a senseless civil war. However, it lit inside of me an inimitable desire to emulate my parents predicated on a new found purpose and resolve to lift communities out of abject poverty. As a boy, I was surrounded by abject poverty and I dreaded the real possibility of vanishing in the chaotic whirlwind without fulfilling my purpose, my dream, to leave an imprint on the tapestry we call our world. This purpose has translated into the vision I enunciate below.
I vividly remember my peers walking long distances to fetch water, early in the morning. When I eventually stayed with my uncle in Freetown, I too fetched water for adult's daily consumption. We had little avenue to play and most of the fields were unsuitable for kids to use as playgrounds.
My childhood desire spurred me on to study science with a major in biotechnology, thinking I could effect wholesale change as a medical doctor. However, I discovered my true calling in law, social justice, policy and philanthropy. Therefore, I pursued law and practised as a solicitor for 5 years, in Australia. In 2005, I was invited by the then Premier Peter Beattie and I contributed towards the development of the first Queensland Multicultural Policy. In 2009, I established Australia's largest multicultural youth mentoring program and I was recognised for this achievement by Minister Grace Grace, in 2016, as an outstanding Queenslander who made a significant contribution to the State and the people of Queensland.
Together, we can be the change we long to see around us!
Our founder's parents were his number one heroes because they demonstrated the tenets of discipline, integrity, stewardship, and the dignity of risk in the pursuit of reasonable aspirations.
Sahr and Sia Thomas both live in Australia after rearing 7 children and now contributing to the upbringing of 8 grandchildren.
Our Projects
We are embarking on multi-million dollar investments into communities:
1. Clean Water to Communities Projects to reach 20 million people in Africa alone
2. Trades Development and Skilling Project to train 100, 000 trained professionals in each country, such as qualified electricians, plumbers, builders, boiler makers, surveyors, tilers, agri farmers, irrigators and motor mechanics.
3. Medical Infrastructure and Practical Exchange Program will leverage the expertise and treasure trove of retired doctors in Australia and other countries to train medical school grads to perform life saving and routine surgeries and medical interventions in their own countries.
4. Major Infrastructure and Good Governance Projects will deliver train lines and new urban areas, in consultation with governments and leaders. This strategy will also deliver good governance and democratic principles workshops, tools and resources to governments, members of parliament and public servants in key decision making portfolios.
Our Vision
Our vision is to empower and lift up underprivileged communities out of abject poverty by engineering deliberate social and economic empowerment and community development projects within their societies.
Our purpose is to unlock human capital through a collective and genuine commitment to see real change in our world around us.
Together, we can be the change we long to see in our world.
Our Team
Our Board is comprised of professionals from various walks of life including public service, law, medicine, engineering and other vocations. Our advisory team boasts more than 5 decades of business and professional experience, altogether.