Community
As you’ve seen from the fellows’ blogs over the last week, we just finished our mid-year retreat in Rwanda. It was absolutely amazing. Fellows came together to share stories of challenges and successes, we discussed great new paths for GHC, and we all left feeling regenerated and excited to return to work.
That’s why I’m embarrassed to admit that we had several conversations in the office about whether or not we were going to do the retreat at all. Finances are tight, and we badly want to offer more fellowships next year. While we’re proud that so many people applied, and that our fellows represent the top 2% of applicants, we so badly want to offer this opportunity to more people.
In the end, we decided we needed the retreat. Our mission is to mobilize a global community of emerging leaders to build a movement for health equity. Our mission is not to provide as many fellowships as possible. While we must scale to a much larger size to build a movement, and meet the massive demand from young leaders who want to serve, providing placements with great organizations is only the beginning of it. The real power of GHC is and will be the community.
The fellows left with new ideas about how to improve their work. Jafari and Isaac swapped ideas about procurement. Mark and Edwin taught all of us about electronic medical records. The cross-site learning was really special to watch.
But more importantly, the fellows, and us on staff, left with higher spirits, renewed determination, and an even closer group of friends. This work is hard. Maintaining a sense of purpose and a sense of optimism is so important. And, cheesy as it may sound, being able to do this work alongside great friends you love and respect is an absolutely amazing feeling. GHC is not about what we all do in this year, it’s about what we do over our lifetimes. It’s this feeling – the joy of being in this community – that gives me faith we will all continue this work in the years to come, and build a true movement.
3 comments
the name is Marc…hehehe…and thanks to the GHC New York team for making the retreat possible…
Jonny- this is a great post and I think all of the fellows would echo your feelings of higher spirits, renewed determination, and the sense of courage and motivation that comes from knowing that you are supported by an awesome group of friends (fellows and staff)!
During the retreat, I could feel a renewed momentum building within our group, a momentum that will carry long beyond, as you said, what we all do in this year. Feeling this momentum and being able to really connect with the other GHC fellows professionally and personally has helped me to see another claim of the GHC fellowship come to life- the claim that GHC connects each fellow with a network of professionals and experts committed to global health equity and social justice. Not that I had not experienced being connected to this network before the midyear retreat- already this year I have had the opportunity to speak with leaders from the UN, USAID, and leading research institutions and universities- but I find that the other 21 fellows whom I stand humbly amongst are truly an invaluable network to be apart of!
Although Jeff and I are the only GHC team in Malawi, the other fellows are always supporting my work and growth- Ian personally connects me with PIH staff who can answer my questions about Community Health Workers, Angie and Francesca challenge me by bringing to the group the tough questions on social justice and health equity, Andrew shares thought-stimulating articles & blogs on current issues relating to the GHC movement and reminds me of the importance of reflecting on field experiences to better inform future actions, Soline teaches me through great example how to leverage key support for important initiative, Ameet helps me think through how to manage our distribution of condoms to Expert Clients, and Marc helps me to understand the practical uses of SMS and mobile phone technology for health – and the examples could go on and on!
Together, from our diverse disciplines and experiences, we move forward, appreciating each little success and allowing one another’s accomplishments to fuel our motivation to face the challenges of taking an active role in the fight against health inequities.
Great post, Jonny. I couldn’t agree more with you, Edwin, and Emily on the theme of building and strengthening our community.
I was just writing friends who were asking what the best part of GHC is and whether they should apply… That’s easy, I told them: the people are the best part, and YES you should absolutely apply! I really think so highly of you all–fellows and staff a like–all for very different reasons, but I think that diversity, that range of perspectives and experiences, is a huge part of the strength of our community.
I’m honored and inspired to walk with this group down the long, often difficult road of fighting for social justice. Can’t wait to meet the new class of fellows for next year and have them join the movement!
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