Hello from Kenya! We are about to kick off A Fresh Chapter’s (AFC) first-ever Global Emerging Leaders Program, from September 11-25. This revolutionary new program will bring together three diverse groups – six Americans impacted by cancer, six Kenyans impacted by cancer, and six employees of our 2019 partner organization, Eli Lilly and Company – for the first immersive, cross-cultural, peer-to-peer advocacy initiative of its kind.

In this post The Vision for AFC Expands To Kenya, I introduced you to Philip Odiyo Ouma and shared how his passion was the driving force in bringing AFC to Kenya. Now, I’m excited to introduce you to just a few of the Fellows selected to participate over the next 2-weeks in Kenya, as well as in our much broader project to adapt AFC’s tools and resources for a new cultural context. Check out their quotes below. 

For me, this program is an incredibly full-circle moment. When I was volunteering in South Africa in 2011, the connections I made were one of the most profound aspects of my experience. The cross-cultural learning and opportunity to celebrate both our similarities and our differences enriched my life beyond measure. Now, it’s an honor to be embarking on a program with both Kenyan and American Fellows, as well as local NGOs and Kenyan Leaders, as we jointly envision how we might adapt AFC’s tools and resources for the Kenyan culture. This is the first step to helping ensure AFC creates culturally relevant programming to benefit people all over the world.  I know the connections we make and the experiences we share will leave all of us changed for the better. 

We’d love you to join us virtually via our social media channels. You can find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Meet Some Of Our Fellows: 

“When I was diagnosed with leukemia 12years ago, it was like a death sentence – there was no information on what it was. This led to speculation and, being in Africa, superstition almost took over. It took time to understand what CML was and thankfully, I’m now well informed and happily moved on. Leukemia doesn’t worry me, particularly now that AFC has helped me meet people of different challenges, but I am determined to soldier on, more vigorous than before.” — Innocent (Kenya Fellow)

“It was an honor to be chosen for the AFC Global Emerging Leaders Program.  I was diagnosed with MBC in 2009 and didn’t think I would live long enough to enjoy life as I know it now.” — Sheila Marie McGlown (U.S. Fellow)

“The best warrior is not the one who always wins but the one who is not afraid to go back to the battle! I suffered HIV and Cancer and came out a warrior!” — Sally (Kenya fellow)

“As a cancer survivor and researcher, I am looking forward to taking my advocacy to a new global level.  I know that I will be inspired by the journeys and the Kenyan community. Everyone that takes part in this has a contagious passion that I can’t wait to experience!” — Jessica (U.S. Fellow)

“It can be hard to draw a line from my everyday IT work to the people my company seeks to help. I’m ready – to experience that fight next to my brothers and sisters from around the world, to test myself and to come back more determined to help beat cancer through my everyday work. And to spread that energy to my work colleagues when I return.” — Dan (U.S. Fellow)

“Cancer today has become a household issue as it takes a toll on our people. It has become so widespread that people need education. AFC will mold me to be a better leader or advocate in the community because since AFC has a long experience with different people and materials to support in leadership, advocacy will be available to us.” — Florence Kitsao (Kenya Fellow)