Jambo! Warm greetings from the sunny city of Nairobi, Kenya – green city in the sun. It has been exciting moving back to Kenya (my second home) and returning to my alma mater, the University of Nairobi. Though I am returning as a US global health fellow, I have been able to seamlessly re-integrate and revive decades of mentorship, connections and working relationships established during the formative years I spent here. This ease of transition is also a testament to the existing partnerships, global reach and strengthof Collaborative Networks in Global Health that is evident with ICHAD and the ACHIEVE / NIH/ Fogarty programs.
Last week, I attended an annual review meeting for the University of Nairobi STD/HIV/SRH Collaborative Research Group. This was a great opportunity for shared learning on the latest research strategies, successes, and challenges. A first time for me attending this meeting as a delegate, my imagination and interest in global health research and in particular pediatric HIV has been elevated and edified. I also identified future research interests to pivot towards like child and adolescent global mental health.
One insightful panel discussion for me was on training programs and opportunities existent for the last three decades. I witnessed the immense impact of these collaborative capacity building initiatives because when they asked beneficiaries of these programs to stand up – almost half of those in the room were on their feet, including the panelists.
Best of all, from this meeting, I have expanded my networks. Moving forward, I aspire towards a global and child health research-based career that will leverage on networking channels that have been created by my forerunners and mentors. So, for me, it is – cheers to a great new year, stronger networks, and new, life changing experiences!!