By Libby Daghlian | Program Director - Africa & Middle East
“Being a leader has empowered me a lot. It has enabled me to work on some of my weaknesses that I never thought I would work on - like my listening skills. Also it has taught me not to stay confined in one thing, but to get out of my comfort zone if I want to achieve something.” Diana Akampikaho, Country Director for DfG Uganda reflects on the impact this program has had on her development as a leader. This kind of growth and empowerment is vital to the DfG mission, not only for the girls and women we serve, but for every individual who is part of that process – including you! Because each one of us has the power to make a meaningful and real difference in our communities and our world.
Over the past few months, Days for Girls has been reflecting on our journey and our road ahead. Our mission imperative is to reach Every Girl. Everywhere. Period. That’s a tall order, and sometimes it can be downright terrifying. But when we consider the incredible leaders that are working on every corner of the planet to make this a reality, we realize we’re not actually that far away.
Days for Girls not only has room for, but rquires, just about every talent you can imagine! Look at our Centers for instance. On a regular basis, they are coordinating trainings, meeting visitors, conducting community outreach, working with suppliers, entering data, and sharing stories. This means our systems and processes need to be flowing as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Luckily, we have leaders who find this type of challenge thrilling. Take Maria Martinez, who is volunteering her time and incredible skills to strengthen our operating systems at the DfG Uganda Center so that we can track and follow up on not only every last girl that we serve, but every last meter of fabric, snap, needle and thread. What a gift!
Then there is Lindiwe Dladla, our Micro-Enterprise leader from Swaziland who has just completed two orders for 1,100 DfG Kits, only a few months after starting her Micro-Enterprise. She has taken on a whole new kind of leadership through coordinating with seamstresses in and around Manzini to make this possible.
Our volunteer leaders coordinating donations from across oceans and continents also take on a tremendous task – and not one they had imagined themselves capable of. Gloria Buttsworth, our DfG Australia Leader says, “If you had told me 6 years ago, from my farming background, and being the age that I am, that I would be doing what I do today…. let alone talking about it, I wouldn’t have believed you. I could never had anticipated the outpouring of compassion, support and generosity of women, and that makes me feel very humbled to be a part of the wonderful Days for Girls world.” Every Girl. Everywhere. Period. Is possible, but only when we work together!
By Libby Daghlian | Program Director - Africa & Middle East
By Libby Daghlian | Program Director - Africa & Middle East
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