Helen Keller famously penned, “I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my own ship.”
I have always found this quote calming. When I think of a still boat or harbor, I think of an inlet on Lake Champlain in Vermont. Growing up, my family would retreat each summer to a rickety lake house on a dirt road. My mother had spent summers at the house since she was twelve years old. Some mornings, I would wake up early and sit on the dock wearing an oversized flannel shirt, looking at the water. It was one long stretch across the lake to New York, with tiny islands and bluffs dotted in between. In addition to memories of home, Still Harbor is also the name of a great organization based in Boston.
Global Health Corps and Still Harbor forged an official partnership, whereby Still Harbor provides support and guidance to each of the fellows that participates in the Global Health Corps program. On their website, Still Harbor describes itself as an organization that “offers accompaniment to individuals and organizations engaged in social justice efforts by serving as a spiritual community and learning partner.” From the beginning of the fellowship year, Still Harbor set a tone of compassion and self-reflection. Now that I have been living in Uganda for about one year, Still Harbor continues to be a big part of my life, as I talk with Perry – one of the Associate Directors – on a monthly basis.
My conversations with Perry have rooted me in a way that is difficult to put into words. Not only have I spent the past year developing as a global health professional, but I have taken big steps in developing the person that I want to be. About three months ago, I had the most intense experience of my year in Uganda – if not the past five years of my life. Within hours, Perry and I had connected and were deconstructing and breaking things down. I believe that Still Harbor is the definition of love in action. I attribute my ability to navigate difficult moments, to sail my own ship, to Still Harbor.
Several weeks ago, I decided to stay in Uganda for another year. As I prepare for the upcoming transition from Global Health Corps fellow to alumna, I have been thinking a lot about the year that has passed. I am grateful for so many things that Global Health Corps has given me – but perhaps the most precious is Still Harbor’s consistent, calm, and loving presence by my side. I am not the same person I was when I started this fellowship. For this, I am eternally grateful to Still Harbor.