2016’s Top Five Takeaways From Frontline Grassroots Leaders
Co-Authored by Rucha Chitnis and Stephanie Heckman
Margaret Mead wisely noted that “if we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse gift will find a fitting place." We couldn’t agree more.
2016 has been a tumultuous year. We lost many inspiring leaders in politics, social justice, and the arts. Intolerance appears to be growing at a more rapid rate than we, humanity, can contain. The result: inequality and injustices continue to threaten the lives of children and families throughout the world, from our doorstep here in the United States of America to communities in Haiti and war-torn towns of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We bear witness to the consequences of this divisive narrative, and alongside our grassroots partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America we make a call to action: Find strength in diversity.
As the year comes to a close we pose a few questions : How can we challenge this noisy narrative of divisiveness? How do we shine a spotlight on the unity and love that also abounds in the world? And what can we learn from frontline leaders and social movements who celebrate the world’s diversity, while also critically looking at the intersection of gender, race, class and privilege?
We are fortunate to know the very best of humanity, thanks to One World Children’s Fund’s partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America and other leaders amplifying change at the grassroots, like Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights, African Diaspora Network, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, to name a few.
We believe that grassroots leaders are key for pointing out the rot in a system that is designed to further displace and dispossess those that are already affected by poverty. As we reflect on the year, we highlight the top five lessons gleaned from the wisdom of grassroots leadership of our global partners.
1. Youth are the Leaders of Today, not Tomorrow.
This year, we continue to be inspired by the ingenuity and commitment of young leaders across the globe. One World colleague, Humphrey Nabimanya transformed his personal pain after witnessing his mother experience the stigma of HIV and founded a dynamic youth-led sexual and health rights movement in Uganda. Thanks to the outreach of Reach a Hand, Uganda, nearly 83,000 Ugandan youth have been tested for HIV and are making healthy choices for their sexual and reproductive health. “Nearly 50% of Ugandans are youth. Their voice matters. No one understands the issues they face better than them,” said Humphrey.
Meanwhile, across the border in Kenya, Akili Dada fellow, Beth Koigi, created a solution for her community, launching the Aqua Clean Initiative. This initiative promotes access to safe water for domestic use within the Rukinda Village in Chuka and is set to spread across the nation in the coming years.
“Aqua Clean was born from personal experience of waterborne disease. After making and using our own filter, we realised that we had the capacity to help the community at large to purify their drinking water. …..We hope to make an impact on the ease of access to clean water for all Kenyans,” - Beth Koigi, Founder, Aqua Clean Initiative.
2. Accountability is a Two-Way Street.
Too often, accountability in philanthropy focuses only on the recipient of funds. This linear perspective, however, is a disservice to partnership. To create meaningful partnerships and sustainable change, accountability must be consistently addressed as a two-way street. One World grassroots partners have called on philanthropists to democratize and diversify their decision making and be accountable for funding sources. In order to honor and celebrate diversity in a meaningful way, philanthropists need to examine their own systems, representation on staff and board, and acknowledge the connections between funding sources and causes of poverty. It is not enough to just give money without self reflection and a commitment to learn and listen deeply. We are excited to launch the Grassroots Forward Fund this year, which aims to build a more democratic, diverse, and accountable philanthropic system.
3. People Build Their Own Pathways Out of Poverty.
Year upon year we recognize that sustainability is borne from local ingenuity and inspiration. Local people inspire communities and countries to build their own pathways out of poverty. Zambian Institute for Sustainable Development (Zambia) and QZ Scholarship Fund (China) invest in young leaders, ensuring that the future is being nurtured, written, and driven by the talent and drive of a nation’s own population. To achieve sustainable change, we must invest in people’s dreams and aspirations, and move beyond funding the ever-dependent savior complex.
QZ Scholarship student, Li Die
”My biggest role model has always been my high-achieving, multi-talented mother who received her PhD in engineering while raising me. She lost her battle with cancer at the age of 43 and I could not think of a better way to honor her spirit than to empower other high-potential young females who are studying Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) majors. All of our scholars come from low-income families -- we provide them with both financial assistance and mentorship so that they can become economic multipliers in their communities." - Yin Yin, Founder, QZ Scholarship in China.
In 2016, we saw countless times the significant impact that local leaders and educators investing in youth can have on individual lives and communities. Sela, a student from Zambia, is embarking on a journey to study Aerospace Engineering at Harvard University, following her successful completion of Zambian Institute for Sustainable Development’s leadership program. Learn more about Sela’s remarkable story in the video above.
4. Western Humanitarian Models Need Remodeling.
Earlier this year, we met Tope Fajingbesi, the spirited Founder of United for Kids Foundation (Nigeria), who said something that stuck with us: “We are tired of being on the menu, we want a seat at the table.”
This year, Tope’s message was no longer whispered in the corridors of conferences, summits, convenings, and meetings; it took center stage. One World Children’s Fund was invited to participate in the first ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, in May. At the summit, One World, along with values-aligned partners such as ADESO and NEAR Network, highlighted the critical role of grassroots leaders and local actors in re-shaping humanitarian aid.
The Summit culminated with a commitment from world leaders to direct 20% of funding to local actors. This is an ambitious and important step that sees an increase from the current level of funding, which stands at a meager 0.3%. We have work to do in 2017 in holding philanthropic leaders accountable to this commitment and providing practical solutions so that we can reach this goal.
5. There is Strength in Diversity.
The Southern African proverb, Ubuntu, speaks to the need for human kindness and recognition of our universal bond. Today, more than ever, our lives are deeply interconnected, and we have a shared responsibility to care for one another.
Nirvanavan Foundation, our partner in Rajasthan, India, hosted an Art Mela for World Peace, which brought together over 1,000 children across class and caste divisions to draw their expressions for world peace and global solidarity. As cross-border tensions escalated this year between India and Pakistan, children’s art made a call for building bridges and prioritizing peace.
There is room in this world to be united through our differences; in fact the challenges we face today demand it.
Rucha Chitnis is a photojournalist, writer and founder of Changing the Narrative, a storytelling project of women and communities rising and raising their voices in the face of ecological and climate challenges and social inequities. Her stories and photo essays have been published in Yes! Magazine, National Geographic, Public Radio International, Truthout, among other places. Rucha also works as a storytelling consultant with philanthropic groups, elevating stories of hope and resilience of grantee partners around the world. She designed the #WEaretheLEADERS campaign for One World Children's Fund to highlight grassroots voices and perspectives on leadership and community transformation.
Start 2017 by making your commitment to finding strength in diversity. Learn more about the 2017 African Diaspora Investment Symposium in Silicon Valley, CA: Jan 27 & 28, 2017
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