The Power of Community (PART 5): Konseye Members Reflect on a Year of Impact

Hello Friends, 

Welcome to the final #MondayMusing for 2024 and the final post in our December theme on reflections from our Konseye Community. We have been incredibly blessed by the wisdom of some of our members over the last few weeks and in this segment we bring you Goodness Esom and Ade Damayanti - two long term members of Konseye: The Mentorship Network. Let’s dive into their reflections!

Meet Goodness Esom (Nigeria)

Any exciting projects you’ve worked on or are currently working on? 

 I am working on a project which involves providing medical supplies and retrofitting a primary healthcare center with solar energy in a state in Nigeria. My team and I have been in conversations with the head of primary healthcare of the state in question and it has been a challenging but interesting ride.

What’s been your highlight of 2024?

From graduating from the United People Global Sustainability Leadership (UPGSL) class of 2024, to attending the annual summit of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers in Geneva, to meeting my favourite mentor, there have been so many highlights of this year! However, I think the one that stands out most is the summit I attended at the World Economic Forum. At the summit, I was able to interact and make friends with young leaders driving change in their local communities. It also helped me see the world differently, enjoy a different region/environment, and appreciate diversity.

Why is mentoring important to you?

One salient benefit is how mentorship abridges the time it could take a person (the mentee) to achieve great things. Sometimes, you find what could have taken a mentee 10 to 15 years to achieve, can be achieved in 2-3 years with proper mentorship. A mentor can also expose a mentee to a circle of friends or network such a person would not have had access to but for the mentorship. This is the aspect of mentorship that is truly beautiful. It saves time you would have spent going through a longer route without guidance.

What is your personal motto that you live by?

A personal motto I live by is that “whatever your mind can imagine, your hands can construct.” I believe so much in the power of imagination to create the kind of life we want to live.

--------------------------------

Meet Ade Damayanti (Indonesia)

Any exciting projects you’ve worked on or are currently working on? 

This year I’ve been leading a project titled Eco-Linguistics: Sustainability Through English and Waste Management. It involves a team of young individuals aged 18-35. The goal is to help Indonesian youth learn about sustainability and improve their English skills, building a future generation of leaders who can tackle global environmental challenges. We’ve empowered 100 Indonesian participants. Indirectly, the project has also impacted 100 youth across Indonesia, as well as one alternative school and one local high school in Lombok. In addition, I am the Strategic Partnership Development Manager at Make Space - a women-led organization telling inspiring stories about sustainability leaders around the world, and promoting holistic leadership development. 

 What’s been your highlight of 2024? 

• Traveling to the USA again, meeting new leaders working on sustainability, and gaining inspiration from them. 

• Leading the Eco-Linguistic Project as my own initiative alongside my champions. • Enjoying my sabbatical by traveling to different islands in Indonesia. 

Why is mentoring important to you? 

I strongly believe in the value of mentorship. As someone who loves learning and believes that knowledge and pathways to achieving goals can be gained from a "human library"—meaning learning directly from individuals who have been through the experiences we are pursuing or are interested in — mentorship is invaluable. By connecting with a mentor, we can start to plan, revise, and reassess areas that need improvement. Mentorship is essential as a supportive companion in my journey; sometimes I might overlook our potential or areas that need improvement, but mentors can offer insights and guidance. This has a positive impact on both career and personal growth. On the other hand, it's important to have an open mind and be receptive to feedback, maintaining a growth mindset and enjoying the progress along the way. 

What’s your personal motto or slogan you live by? 

As a Muslim, I find great inspiration in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13) from the Quran. The verse says: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may come to know one another. The most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." 

And I also have one of my favorite quotes from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: "And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." 

As we close out 2024 with fitting reflections from Goodness and Ade, their stories serve as a reminder of the transformative power of purpose-driven work and the value of mentorship. Goodness’s commitment to improving access to healthcare in Nigeria and Ade’s dedication to empowering Indonesian youth highlight the incredible impact that can be achieved through vision, collaboration, and resilience. Their personal mottos, Goodness’s belief in the power of imagination to create a better life and Ade’s grounding in faith and the pursuit of meaningful change, are inspiring calls to action for all of us. As they have shown, with the right guidance and networks, extraordinary goals can be achieved, and we are all capable of creating ripples of positive change in our communities.

Reflection on Konseye's 2024

Reflecting on 2024, I am proud to see how Konseye: The Mentorship Network has grown into a thriving global community. This year, we’ve witnessed countless connections spark transformative growth, mentorship sessions that have accelerated careers and projects, and initiatives that are changing the world. Each member’s contribution, from mentors to mentees, has shaped Konseye into a vibrant network dedicated to supporting each other to grow and thrive. All this from a strong belief that with the right network, anything is possible. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of making this an incredible year - we couldn’t have done it without your dedication and support. Here’s to an even more amazing 2025 filled with new opportunities, deeper connections, and greater impact!

Remember: With The Right Network Anything is Possible™ 

Wishing you a wonderful end to the year and a smooth and safe transition into 2025!

Adejoké

Team Konseye