The Chronicle of Philanthropy
September 18, 2024
I know firsthand the transformative power of networks. My wife, Daphine Namara, and I are both nonprofit leaders from Uganda, driven by a shared passion to make a difference in our communities. Yet our journeys couldn’t be more different.
Daphine, a medical doctor and health care entrepreneur, runs a community clinic for low-income and elderly patients without insurance in rural Uganda. Despite collaborations with influential institutions, her enterprise struggles to secure the resources needed to expand. These collaborations, while valuable, are often temporary and don’t provide sustained support for long-term growth.
My experience diverges from hers in many ways. Through networks developed and supported by organizations such as Global Health Corps, Acumen, the Aspen Institute, and Teach for All, I’ve accessed not just funding but also training, mentorship, and lifelong relationships that have accelerated my reach and impact in the nonprofit world. The difference? Not talent or dedication but an introduction to networks that share ideas, facilitate learning, and open doors to opportunity.