Change can be daunting. Especially when you feel like you are biting off more than you can chew. But it can also be a wonderful thing – especially when it happens where it’s most needed. Today, at the São Vicente de Paulo school, we witnessed yet again the power of transformation when a team is willing for change to happen.
The Power of Depth
The superpower of our action at the São Vicente de Paulo school is depth. We feed 2,000 children at school daily, sponsor >200 children and develop relationships with their families; we provide After-School support, and facilitate social, cultural, sport and gender focused groups; we promote 3 pre-school classrooms and we even have university scholarships. This full circle support through which we touch some children’s lives across 3 or 4 touch points daily. This works.
“I have to thank you because when I look at the register, I have no drop-outs” Pedagogical Director SVP
It was not always like this. We grew slow and steady our presence at the school, to then give a huge leap of faith in 2021 when we launched the Feeding Program. And the difference is just remarkable. All programs are working together to create change, and change is happening.
The Power of One … multiplied
I have always been a big believer in the Power of One. I probably would not have founded A Little Gesture if I weren’t. What we built, especially in this school, is living proof of this. Partnerships can be challenging, no doubt, and they don’t always run smoothly. However, working in a partnership has a true multiplier effect in what we can do with the children. It’s no different when companies or teams join hands to develop a great product.
In the school, our team works closely with our partners, the Vicentine Sisters, as well as with the teachers and school management. Furthermore, the school feeding allowed us to get closer to the parents and the communities beyond the sponsored families we were already working with. That means everyone ends up working different angles to get to the same outcome. This is when the power of one small change can be multiplied and slowly make its way to the over 2000 children studying at the school.
Change is difficult… but worth it!
Change is rarely easy. But today reminded me that when it’s met with openness and care, it can be nothing short of good. Over the last 5 years, we have had great moments of doubt and a few steps back. But through working together and keeping our eyes on the prize – or in this case, the greater good – we were able to find ways to work through challenges and find solutions through collaboration.
When rebuilding a team from scratch or navigating partner changes, we wanted to fight change; sometimes we wanted things to just stay the same. But change can be the catalyst for things to improve and for us to wonder why and how we should do what we do.
Today, I keep my words short. The day was filled with celebration, conversations, planning meetings and some laughter. It was filled with the sounds of the children as they came in to get their meal, the vision of the special needs room the Nuns have set-up, the songs of the pre-school and the dancing of the Xigubo dancers. And I can’t help but think – change is good.