The Ondo State chapter of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) organized a dynamic and impactful alumni hangout on June 6 2024. This event, aimed at fostering unity and driving collaborative efforts, brought together members to share experiences, strategize on future initiatives, and strengthen their support network.
Building Connections with Interactive Games
The hangout began with a series of interactive games that served as icebreakers, helping to create a friendly and engaging atmosphere. These activities allowed the alumni to reconnect, interact freely, and strengthen the bonds that tie them together. The games set a positive tone for the event, encouraging open communication and teamwork among participants.
Sharing Experiences and Inspiring One Another
A significant part of the event was dedicated to sharing personal experiences and achievements since their time in the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Each member had the opportunity to speak about their journey, highlighting the impact of the fellowship on their professional and personal lives. These stories of growth, success, and overcoming challenges provided a source of inspiration and motivation for everyone present, reaffirming the power of the fellowship and the importance of staying connected.
Strategic Discussions on Collaborative Opportunities
The core of the hangout involved strategic discussions on potential collaborations among the alumni. Members explored various ways to work together to amplify their impact in their communities. Key topics included:
- Co-applying for Grants: Alumni agreed to collaborate on applying for several grant opportunities, including the Mandela Day Service Grant, LINC (Leveraging Innovation for Nonprofit Collaboration), the Reciprocal Exchange Program, and the African Innovation Enterprise Fund (AIEF). These grants would support their projects and initiatives, enabling them to make a more significant impact.
- Leveraging Strengths and Networks: Recognizing the diverse skills and resources each member brings, the group discussed how they could leverage each other’s strengths and networks to support both individual and collective goals. This included offering mentorship, sharing resources, and providing guidance where needed.
Identifying Areas of Assistance
During the discussions, alumni identified specific areas where they might need assistance to achieve their goals. This included areas such as project management, fundraising, advocacy, and capacity building. By pinpointing these needs, the group could better plan how to support each other effectively and ensure that everyone has access to the resources and expertise required for success.
Commitment to Ongoing Engagement
The event concluded with a commitment to maintain ongoing engagement through the alumni WhatsApp group. This platform will serve as a hub for continuous communication, updates, and collaboration, ensuring that the ideas and plans discussed during the hangout are followed through. Regular interactions will help sustain the momentum and drive the implementation of agreed initiatives.
The Ondo State MWFAAN alumni hangout was a successful and impactful event that strengthened the bonds among members, inspired new ideas, and set the stage for future collaborations. The strategic plans and agreements reached are expected to lead to significant initiatives that will benefit both the alumni and the broader community. The continued engagement and support among members will ensure that these plans are brought to fruition, furthering the mission of MWFAAN and the values of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
