As we round out the first quarter of our fellowship year I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the last few months, both through guided discussion and internal “soul searching”.
A consistent theme in all of our GHC sessions is this idea of finding the “bright spots”, or latching ourselves to things that are going right instead of allowing stressors and negativity to pull us down. While coping mechanisms like this are often attractive in theory, they are not as easily put into practice.
My fellowship placement is a local NGO that, up until a few months ago, was almost entirely funded by USAID. On my first day of work I was informed that in the weeks prior to my arrival the organization was forced into a period of transition as the natural closeout of several projects was beginning. During the weeks that followed the organization would be faced with both staff and financial challenges. Still a thriving organization, Afya Mzuri refused to waver in the face of this setback.
Three months later the stress and uncertainty continues to be written on everybody’s faces as each day brings with it new challenges.
However, in spite of all this I am constantly reminded of the passion and commitment that each of my colleagues has. Despite the tight budgets and over worked employees, every member of staff continues to come to work with a smile on his/her face, rejoicing in the fact that we have made it another week, another month. My coworkers are not only dedicated to the mission, but to keeping Afya Mzuri’s doors open so that the community can continue to benefit from their resources. It is this drive that gives me comfort in knowing Afya Mzuri will make it through this valley and come out stronger on the other end.
Recently, I participated in a brainstorming discussion for a call for proposals we received. Ideas were flying left and right and excitement was high. Gone was the twinkle of hope that this might be the project that we’ve been waiting for financial purposes, and instead participants were fired up about a new idea. The possibilities were endless.
I sat back and took it in.
It was the epitome of team work. An individual throws an idea out there and everyone runs with it. What Afya Mzuri is lacking in financial resources they make up for in innovation and hope. Hope not that this idea will win them a grant, but that instead what was created around a board room table will ignite a change in Lusaka, across Zambia, and maybe even in far reaching societies who encounter the same issues.
It seems they to have found their bright spot, in each other.