Mentors Take the Lead at the 2022 Mentors Meet Up
- GSGC
- Oct 25, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Mentors came from far and near for the first time since the pandemic closed borders in 2020, and so the two-day gathering in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe was something akin to a family reunion!
Not only was last week’s Mentors Meet Up the first time so many could get together in person, it also was the second time the Mentors planned and led the session that each year deepens professional and personal connections across the GSGC network.
Each discussion topic was led by a Mentor. Seven Mentors from Zambia and Zimbabwe were headliners. Early on, all 19 Mentors reviewed the GSGC model to consider updates and reaffirmed our common path. Then they dug in.
The focus was “From Vision to Impact.”
Topics included a months-long project to determine ways to measure success among the youth who receive mentoring as members of GSGC-supported clubs. Volunteer Kate Wilson of Washington has worked long-distance with Mentors to come up with a more systematic approach to evaluating GSGC. The goal: to better understand how our work improves the lives of Mentors, club members and communities across the GSGC network. They call the approach Meaningful Evaluation and Learning, or for short, M&E.
With years of experience behind them, Mentors are no longer searching for ways to be effective; they are seeing results and looking for ways to be more effective.
“Everyone is learning. I like that the Mentors are opening up, and people are getting why M&E is important in their clubs,” said Nyika Muyambo, who heads Sisonke Boys Club in Monde Village, outside Victoria Falls. “Others are learning from other (Mentors) in terms of programming and doing all the activities they’re doing. It’s so exciting and a very fruitful Meet Up.”
One working group took a fresh look at menstrual health. Another took a deeper dive into working with boys for girls’ empowerment. Still another concentrated on expanding opportunities for youth. One discussed mental health challenges, and another looked at safe spaces and why they are crucial to the GSGC mentoring model. Everyone got a lesson in story-telling.
“It was explosive. All our expectations were met. I enjoyed every moment of sharing information and sharpening towards our next level,” said Procedure Chikosi, who heads Girls Time in Victoria Falls. “Grateful for each and every one, and many thanks for GSGC.”
Wrapping things up, Mentors had the opportunity to ask questions of one another to go straight to the source to, say, follow up on something said earlier, pose a new thought, or seek advice.
“Beautiful indeed, and above all, this was a life-changing moment. I can’t wait to see new chapters and explore new territories with a different perspective,” said Prosper Siphambili with Sisonke Boys Club. “My passion surely has been ignited! Awesome Meet Up, thank you GSGC!”
