Village Care International recently held its 3rd annual VCI Conference of Leaders on January 21-25. The conference was held in Kisumu, Kenya and was attended by leaders from each one of the countries currently utilizing the Village Care. This was a time of profound dialogue and innovation centered around where Village Care as a movement is headed. In a small, unassuming room backed by the hustle and bustle of life in Kisumu this group of passionate, pioneering, forward-thinking African leaders mapped out the course of VCI and debated the path on which we tread. Topics such as vision and mission were accompanied by discussion around financial independence, program content, and ensuring that the next generation of VCI leaders are prepared to carry us forward into the future with confidence and a shared understanding of the work we are doing. Even with discussion of this gravity we still found time to have some fun, joke, and enjoy the company of friends and make memories that will last forever.
To give you a quick and concise breakdown of what was discussed I think we can break it into three parts: program continuity and consistency, expansion, and refining what we do and why we do it. Many more things were talked about and debated for many hours, but these main areas give a clear picture of the importance of this conference and the success that was achieved through coming together as ordinary radicals and putting the future of VC and the communities we work in at the forefront of our work.
When dealing with program continuity and consistency the discussion centered mainly on the topic of “drift.” There was debate about what drift means for us and what it means in general, everyone sharing their own viewpoint and putting on the table all the issues that we might face as a group. Drift, at its core, is the idea that without a clear, concise, and sound base from which all programs and efforts flow there is the possibility that VCI might drift from our core philosophy. The group talked at length about how we can decrease the chance of drift as more and more countries join the movement and mold the program to each community’s unique situation. It was decided that the solution to drift was to think metaphorically. It was suggested that we think of the base mission, vision, purpose, and method like the bones of a skeleton. Once those things are set and created with sound principles and with the philosophy by which Village Care is founded it can not be altered. No matter the flesh, or programs, that are placed on the skeleton by each country initiative, the skeleton remains firm and unaltered. Each country is free to form the flesh of their initiative to be the best it can be for each unique situation while keeping the bones of a movement proven to work. This was a huge success and each leader in the room agreed we had done our best to put VCI on a path of solidarity and cooperation no matter the breadth of its reach.
Naturally stemming from a discussion of drift, the topic of expansion was an exciting, as well as eye opening conversation. There were many countries and regions suggested as potential partners for the coming year. These included South Sudan, Cameroon, Gambia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Congo. Expansion into a new country is a delicate process that is unique for each new place we go. Usually a leader from each of two countries near the new partner will make multiple visits to the country to plant the seeds of the VCI tree there. Partnerships are made, relationships forged, and the seed begins to become a tree. Over time our leaders train other leaders in the new country and those leaders go into their communities and present the Village Care program to new people. From there it spreads and viola, a new VCI country is born. There were high hopes and lots of excitement surrounding these new countries for this year. The Village Care movement can not be contained and it is just a matter of time before communities all over the world are shattering conformity and sparking transformation.
Revisiting our purpose and vision is a topic that we delve deep into at each conference. It is so important that we ensure, as time goes on, that our vision, mission, purpose, and method are relevant, effective, and in line with our overarching philosophy. As these things are discussed it is so amazing to listen to such inspiring, thought-provoking dialogue from men who are natural leaders and innovators in their field. Those of us still learning are left in awe at the depth and scope of the discussion, always taking notes and trying to absorb as much of it as we can. From start to finish this discussion was a success and everyone agreed that we had done justice to the power of this movement and to ensure it is sound and ready for what is to come.
As our time together drew to a close, goodbyes were said, and friends who had become brothers and sisters prepared to part ways with heavy hearts and full minds. It is hard to deny the power of the human spirit when you consider the circumstances from which each of these people has come. From brutal civil war to famine to colonial occupation, each country seemingly possesses every opportunity to give up. Instead what we see is true strength, unwavering determination, and a pride in their people that is seldom witnessed. If every person in a position to affect change in the world had the mind, heart, and soul of these people the world would be forever changed as would the perception of poor communities across the globe. Before we left I had a chance to sit and talk with Phillips and Gabriel who are from Nigeria. As they recounted the horrible atrocities being done in their country you begin to understand why they are here. For so many years their people, and the people of many other nations, have been held down, demeaned, walked on, and told they can not do any better. Behind the teary eyes and heavy heart lies an unmistakable will to see their people transform into the nation they once were and once again will be. Though I can not even begin to understand where they come from I can’t help but feel the depth of their conviction, the power of their words, and the promise of their action. It is only a matter of time before Africa regains her rightful place among the powers of the world and the beauty that lies beneath the residue of occupation, enablement, and corruption we strive to overcome. Until next year friends, I am in awe and so proud to be a part of this movement
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