From high gear to low gear: A reflective week
- GSGC
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 8
This past week was a profound journey of reflection, growth, and challenge. As we gathered as a network of mentors, what stood out first was the appreciation of the immense work we’d done in the past year, and the realization that this year, we’re shifting from high gear to a more thoughtful, slower pace.
There was a remarkable recognition of growth, many of us have matured, not just in our roles, but in our lives, families, and responsibilities. From those early days where questions felt risky, we’ve grown into a space where honest, challenging dialogue is welcomed. Even moments of differing perspectives around aspects of program management were handled with maturity, fostering deeper reflection
We shifted from the name “curriculum” to flexible “session guide,” empowering mentors to adapt to their communities. And in small discussion groups, even quieter voices found space, culminating in a collective theory of change, one built from every voice in the room.
We tackled messaging: how we define ourselves, how we speak about both girls and boys. We recognized the need to empower boys as individuals, not just in relation to girls, closing gaps in how we educate both. And ultimately, what emerged was a goal and messaging that resonates with both the network and GSGC.
This week taught me that progress isn’t always easy or comfortable, but when every voice is heard, the outcome is shared, and the future is stronger.
On the last day, we saw the beautiful culmination of our collective effort in our theory of change and took a moment to appreciate each other’s hard work. What stood out, though, was our mental health reflection, a reminder that to serve others, we must first be full ourselves.
Committing to boundaries and self-care was just as important as any program or goal. And so, we leave this week not just with plans for others, but with a commitment to sustain ourselves along the way. Like Priscilla said, a reminder to breathe!!
By Kalinda Muyembe
MEL and Scholarship coordinator
