Meet a Sandbox member: Sebastian Lindstrom
December 8th, 2009 by Sara Usinger
Sebastian Lindstrom -originally from Sweden- is the founder of the “What Took You So Long Foundation” that shares skills, experiences and knowledge in support of grass-roots NGOs. Last summer Sebastian crossed Africa using only public transportation together with other young travelers; in search of people who are making a difference to young people in need. At the moment he is participating at the COP15 Conference on Climate Change. Sebastian on Twitter and Facebook.
Tell us the story of your latest project / occupation:
Right now I am off to COP15 to fight climate change, then documenting grass root progress in Papua New Guinea and then finally in Jan-Feb back in Hong Kong to finish our Documentary about the Unsung Heroes of Africa!
What are you doing and how did you get there?
Hours of discussions with people around the world. How to create change? How do you arrange non-profit organic growth? How to best spread best practice ? After discussions in L.A. 2 years ago about a possible Motorbike trip through India we have come far. Finally we decided to cross Africa by public transport; in search of people who are making a difference. The power of ‘giving’ enabled us to cross Africa with basically no-budgets. All our money was spent on VISAs. We lived free and most of the time we ate for free.
Tell us about the biggest successes and failures in your life. What worked, what didn’t, and what did you learn?
Biggest success: Managed to get 2nd in my Military Battalions’ orientation competition. (I cant even read a map; hehe – it was a miracle!)
Failure; Launched a semi-serious denim Brand at the age of 17; average jeans cost of Jeans via Yahoo stores at 250 USD. Sold 0 pants.
What do you want to achieve in a) the next week, b) the next year, c) the next 10 years?
a. Get a lot of people to ‘pledge’ cash/money to support us at Kickstarter (You will get a DVD of our odyssey sent to your place plus more!)
b. I will then be graduated. Hmm. I should probably have some kind of money generating job. Running NGOs is not sustainable as I don’t take out a salary. If anyone know someone that wants to employ me after June (Graduation) please email me at Sebastian@whattootyousolong.org
c. 10 years. I plan 1 day at a time. This is not fair! 2-3 Kids. One wife. A dog?! Location; must be somewhere in Africa. Or central Asia? Kazakhstan has always been the perfect Utopia for me.
What was your most inspiring moment during the last two weeks?
Today when Andreas B. Brenner wrote:
I donated this morning and I hope others will follow. I think this is one of the greatest projects I have come across with some of the most energetic people on this planet behind the scenes.And then>
Sandbox:
@Andreas we couldn’t agree more!
People are so nice. I just feel like I want to take 2 years off and give me to all those who have helped me.
How could other Sandboxers and the outside world support you and why would that be exciting for them?
Yeah yeah! They can please ‘pledge’ 20 usd to receive the African Expedition doc that we are putting together! Also they can spread the word to friends and family to do the same! We can be the change!
Sebastian’s favourites:
Book- Mountains beyond Mountains; the story of Dr. Farmer!
Movie- Pray the Devil Back to Hell (Liberian Women movement doc’!)
Place on earth- Mauritania’s dessert
Quote- ‘Don’t get frustrated with limitations, work with them ‘ Eric Coomans (Old NGO friend from Northern Ghana!)
Sebastian! Can you be less inspiring?!...from the bottom of my heart I truly believe in the calling of creating something that, like you said, "shares skills, experiences and knowledge in support of grass-roots NGOs" -- and I hope I can start the process of building a new foundation as soon as I graduate this month! Ummm...your story and journey is amazing. Keep sharing -- I'm sure I'll come back here (or just follow you on twitter) whenever I ask myself "what took me so long" to do this and that...
Also, have a great (and safe) trip to PNG! And take care of my good friend Chaunog! :D
Hey Seb, I read through every question and your answer. Like what Xilin said, you have a tender heart, for Africa, for the earth, for everything you think that should be taken good care of. And you are very honest and straightforward, on you I hardly see a man suit. It's a great inspiration for me during the examination period =)
[...] Lindstrom and Sandbox’s friend Patrick Bostrom were still in their sharp red jumpers. Sebastian shared inspiring stories from Africa (he is the founder of the WhatTookYouSoLong foundation), and [...]