CivSource Africa had a fantastic day on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022. We met the staff at Ahaki and talked and shared ideas about transitions in Ugandan non-governmental organizations.
Ahaki is an African Institute that creates information and strengthens advocacy capacity in the fields of health, human rights, and sexual and reproductive health rights using Africentric methods in a national and global context. The group, which has been in operation for less than a year, intends to close the knowledge gap through advocacy, documentation/research-based documentation, and capacity building, among other things.
Transitions in NGOs:
The organization is deeply committed to supporting transitioning leaders and organizations in the civil society sector. Based on its own experience, the organization believes that sharing its story and experience will benefit organizations and leaders undergoing a transition in several ways. One of the things they hope to accomplish is to create a space where organizations and leaders can share their transition journey as a learning point.
The CivSource Africa team spoke passionately about changes among sector leaders and organizations regarding how they happen, where they happen, and what should be done to support both the leaders and the organization?
Jacqueline Asiimwe, CEO of CivSource Africa, spoke passionately about language and the way we name things (founder syndrome). When executives create organizations, they are referred to as founders, pioneers, bold, and the syndrome in which they are expected to leave, yet the reverse occurs.
"No one ever questions or wonders what that leader is going through, how much work they put in, or what they sacrificed to help the company grow."
"Transitions are very emotive both for the leader that is going and the people that are staying. Therefore, in supporting leaders on this great journey, we must handle it in a way that is not disempowering."
The team also discussed CivSource Africa's Change Ready program, which aims to support leaders and organizations in planning, managing, and absorbing both expected and unforeseen transitions.
Every transformation is preceded by light. It is always present, whether at the end of a tunnel, through a crack in the door, or in the flash of an idea, heralding a new beginning. Transition is one of the most inevitable and natural aspects of an organization.
For more information about CivSource Africa's Change Ready Program, Visit the Link Below: https://www.civsourceafrica.com/change-ready