#PassTheTorch: Steven Twinomugisha
Dear 2021–2022 Global Health Corps fellow cohort,
A huge congratulations to you all for making it this far! You are joining a community of leaders and changemakers that are going to have a profound impact on your leadership capacity as you grow in your career.
Having been in a similar position just 13 months back (anxious and riddled with many questions), I would like to assure you that you are not here by mistake. This fellowship is going to be a great opportunity for growth and learning should you choose to embrace all that it offers.
As I was starting my fellowship, one of the biggest questions I had was if I would be allowed to contribute meaningfully to the organization I had been placed at. It was a slow start, to be honest, but the more I proved myself with the easy wins, the more responsibility I was given and the more projects I was involved in. I was surprised by how open-minded and receptive my colleagues became to my ideas. They went so far as to allow me to take the lead on some projects.
Throughout the year, I found myself applying a lot of the skills and knowledge that we received through GHC’s trainings. The continuous workshops and support were very relevant to situations I was faced with and helped me to address these challenges. I could always count on the support of my co-fellows and GHC staff whenever I needed it.
The GHC fellowship set me on a path of authentic leadership which has been so enlightening and a huge growth opportunity for me. I have learned how to assess work situations better and how to effectively handle challenges that are bound to arise as I move ahead with my career. I have learned that it is okay not to have all the answers, but as long as I continuously apply myself to the best of my abilities, I will make an impact.
Having the time to reflect and check my progression on my leadership journey at the quarterly retreats was a highlight for me. The sessions and resources that were provided have been invaluable to my growth. Plus, I always had a blast being amongst my cohort.
The fellowship has provided me with many great opportunities and one I am most grateful for now is being retained at my placement organization. I will be joining the digital team at LifeNet International as the Digital Enablement Specialist, as we work to transform healthcare throughout Africa.
As I prepare to hand over the torch, I encourage you to present yourselves authentically. Ask yourself the hard questions and be honest with the answers as you start this leadership journey. You are only going to get back as much as you invest in the fellowship, so take all the opportunities it provides and apply yourself to the best of your ability.
Sincerely,
Steven
Steven Twinomugisha is a 2020–2021 Global Health Corps fellow and a Communications and Franchise Marketing Associate at LifeNet International in Uganda.
Global Health Corps (GHC) is a leadership development organization building the next generation of health equity leaders around the world. All GHC fellows, partners, and supporters are united in a common belief: health is a human right. There is a role for everyone in the movement for health equity. To learn more, visit our website and connect with us on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook.
