By Mary Kuira, Capacity Strengthening Linking and Learning Officer, We Lead Program
“Everyone has something to share, and everyone has something to learn; true learning happens when we apply and adapt that learning in our own context.” This memorable statement by Meble Birengo, from our learning partner The Constellation, has continuously fuelled my passion for learning within the We Lead Program.
Our journey together has been both fulfilling and inspiring.
After we embarked on program’s learning agenda in 2023, it became more than just a mandate—it was a vision. A vision that we would one day create spaces where stories of change and best practices are shared and celebrated. It was a vision of building networks and linkages, inspiring and motivating others, engaging meaningfully with our communities, and stimulating conversations that lead to growth and real change.
We Lead, We Link, We Learn: bringing the learning agenda to life
We all want to see results. We all want to witness people learning. But for learning to be meaningful, it requires thoughtful planning behind the scenes. Over the course of the We Lead Program, our slogan—#WeLead #WeLink #WeLearn—has come alive and reflects the essence of our work.
Now, our Community of Action (COA) members and rightsholders are in the driver’s seat, leading their own learning and follow-up actions. We have blossomed because we have been deliberate with our agenda, ensuring that learning is purposeful and impactful.
Learn visits: a tool for meaningful learning and adapting
Learn visits have become a key tool for learning and adapting within the program. They are designed to connect, partner with, and link communities while using a human-centered approach. Introduced during the 2024 Global Learning Festival in Maputo, the visits emphasize listening to experiences of rightsholders and local initiatives and using them to strengthen the host community.
As Malkia John, a young rightsholder from Kenya, said:
“From community visits to innovative solutions, every moment fostered growth and connection. Witnessing impactful projects first hand and celebrating diverse cultures fuelled my purpose to empower girls and young women! To greater strides!”
To ensure continuous learning, we started regional learn visits for focused conversations and collaboration. We set up regional think tanks, bringing rightsholders to the center stage of learning. In Kenya, we’ve also trained learning facilitation teams that have played a crucial role in leading the visits.
We use the SALT approach—Support, Appreciate, Listen/Learn/Link, Transfer—to shape the content and focus of the visits. Rightsholders define their priorities with support from the capacity strengthening team. The visits don’t just stimulate conversations; they inspire action and foster a sense of ownership among communities.
Regional learning: empowering through collaboration
In July this year, we organized bilateral learn visits between Nigeria and Niger. Rightsholders took charge of organizing and facilitating the visits. They arranged venues, decided which stories to share, and led the flow of the visits. Hospitality took the form of drinks, snacks, and some goodies to take home. Yes, fun was also part of the process!
The after-experience reflections (AER) following these visits served as a basis for capacity strengthening, instilling a learning attitude, and sparking new ideas. One reflection that stood out was: “If we do not change our ways of working or activities after a learn visit, we cannot say that we really learned.”
During the visits, COA members not only see each other’s projects but also work to strengthen their own initiatives with rightsholders. The AER help communities critically think about their actions and how they can improve. This demonstrates how Linking and Learning has become a central pillar of the We Lead program.
A continuous cycle of learning, linking, and growing
Learning in the We Lead Program is reinforced when shared experiences lead to action. Our journey in the program has proven that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about adapting, applying, and growing through meaningful connections. Together, #WeLead, #WeLink, and #WeLearn!
