At Global Health Corps, we know that the scope and complexity of global health challenges means we need to engage talented people across boundaries, borders, skill sets, organizations, industries, and perspectives to effect social change. As our sixth annual Training Institute ends and our 128 new fellows head off to their respective placement organizations for a year of service, we are once again in awe of the power of the Global Health Corps community. As our fellows and alumni frequently attest, perhaps the most valuable aspect of our Training Institute is the bonds formed with other members of the GHC community. While our new class has only known each other for two and a half weeks, deep connections have been created, collaboration opportunities are sparking, and resources are being shared.
The last few days of Training focused on solidifying relationships amongst fellows to maximum success during their year and beyond. A fellow developing an HIV/AIDS communications strategy in Lusaka, Zambia can learn from the successes and challenges of a fellow who did something similar in Washington, D.C., for example. To prep fellows to reach out to others and lean on one another doing similar work, we broke fellows into job function groups so they can draw on the depth of knowledge of the GHC community when faced with challenges rather than operating in silos, thus replicating one another’s successes and avoiding reinventing the wheel.
Fellows were also delighted to hear from a number of GHC alumni who joined us at Yale. With a robust alumni network of 322 leaders around the world, GHC intentionally cultivates bonds both among fellow classes and between them. Alumni answered fellows’ questions – both logistical and big-picture – and volunteered their time to lead sessions for fellows on their areas of expertise – from data analysis to communications to mHealth. This peer-to-peer learning prepared fellows to embark on their year and again ensured that they know who to call upon for specific advice during their placements.
The best thing about Training was meeting fellows, major players in the field, and alumni. It made me feel so connected to the mission and opened my eyes to the reality that we can get things done because there are so many supporters that want to see us succeed and lead the future of global health”. – GHC 2014-2015 fellow
Finally, we know that the friendships and personal relationships fellows cultivate during these two and a half weeks are equally as critical for their success during the year. The work that our fellows will be doing isn’t easy! If it was, Global Health Corps wouldn’t need to exist. To be able to lean on one another when work gets challenging or frustrating, and to help one another build the resiliency necessary to avoid burnout is key to creating lifelong social change leaders.
And now, we wish our new class of young leaders the best of luck. The GHC community of alumni, staff, and partners stands behind them this year and beyond. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish!
What we’re reading:
- Collective Impact, John Kania and Mark Kramer
- Creating High Impact Non-Profits, Heather McLeod Grant and Leslie R. Crutchfield
- Network Weaving Handbook, June Holley
- Bounce: Living the Resilient Life, Robert J. Wicks
