Since kindergarten I have been taught to take charge. To stand up for what I believe. To make a difference in the world through inspiring others. A simple concept. A concept called Leadership. Defined as “the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group,” being a leader is so much bigger than just standing in front of a group of people and delivering a presentation. While that is certainly an aspect of it, on a larger scale it means to influence others positively, and most importantly, to influence yourself.
We cannot lead others without leading ourselves. Making smart decisions, being proactive and advocating are all important parts of leadership. Once we can master the art of effectively leading ourselves, we can learn how to lead others.
All of these leadership concepts are things I have learned throughout my education and life lessons. I have developed into the person I am today because of the way I have been taught to lead. And upon reflection, I realized that my friends in Zambia and Zimbabwe were never fortunate enough to learn these vital life lessons and skills. Therefore, I want to make this a priority. I believe that everyone deserves to learn how to lead themselves and others effectively in order to be successful. So together, we are going to do just that.
I am thrilled to announce my new initiative. fiHERy leaders. It’s a leadership camp that will take place in several central locations throughout Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. Each event will take place over three days with about 12 girls. There will be a program leader who will run the event, many guest speakers, and numerous leadership building activities. Over the course of the next year, I will be working closely with Priscilla and GSGC volunteers in developing the perfect plan for how the camp will run. The goal is to run them in several locations over the course of many months beginning in late 2021/2022. And, ultimately, we would love to create something annual that gives all the girls an opportunity to participate.
The name, fiHERy leaders, is inspired from my middle name, Seraphine, which in Hebrew means “fiery ones”. It fits perfectly because the goal is for all of the girls to walk a way with a new, fiery sense. And with hard work and confidence, they can lead by putting their minds to anything.
Throughout the next fiscal year, I will be fundraising to run this program. I ask that you support me in my efforts to create an unforgettable experience for the girls in Africa. They deserve to experience and learn what it means to be a leader, as it is such a valuable life lesson. Stay tuned as we develop the program. I look forward to sharing all that we come up with and asking for y’alls input throughout the whole process.
I ask that you ponder this question: In the world we live in today, how can we all contribute to leading ourselves and others? More to come very soon!
Love,
Emily