September 2024
Dear friends,
Now that the news is official, I’d like to reach out to add a personal touch to the announcement – and say “hello!”
Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the team and our partners across Sub-Saharan Africa. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that they have a very loyal and passionate group of supporters behind them, so I wanted to kick-start my time here by saying a big THANK YOU.
See, it’s a challenge to inherit poor leadership, but it is just as challenging to inherit remarkable and longstanding leadership. Stepping into Mark Glen’s shoes as CEO is both an honour and a significant responsibility. Mark has been a brilliant leader who, over his 20 years of service, has done extraordinary work in shaping WeSeeHope into the resilient and impactful organisation it is today.
No pressure!
Whilst I hope to meet many of you in person in the coming months, I thought it would be good to share a little bit about myself as I step into the role, so here goes.
MY JOURNEY TO WESEEHOPE
When you grow up poor, you obsess over the basics: food, shelter, security. But more than that, you develop a heightened awareness of opportunities that seem just out of reach.
My early life in rural Kenya was marked by this reality. My young, single mother, only 18 or 19 years old when she had me, faced immense pressure from societal norms that ultimately led her to leave her community after my birth. I was raised by my grandmother, and while our material wealth was scarce, the sense of community we shared was abundant.
This upbringing taught me some of the most important lessons of my life; the value of collaboration, the importance of working together, and the strength that comes from community cohesion. When you till a large piece of land with a hand plough, on an empty stomach, under the hot midday sun, it’s only collaboration, banter, and collective enthusiasm that’ll keep you going — not just for that day, but for the days that follow.
As I’ve journeyed through life, there have been pivotal moments when I’ve encountered individuals who believed in my purpose and potential, often at times when I doubted myself. These encounters not only boosted my confidence but also instilled in me a strong desire to pay it forward.
The experiences I have had have deeply influenced my approach to development work and my belief that sustainable change comes through community, opportunity and stewardship. Throughout my career – be it in communications, advocacy, partnerships or programmes – these have been my guiding principles.
A CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Over the last 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of leading and contributing to meaningful international development projects in various countries.
One significant highlight was the Guardian Katine Project in Uganda’s Soroti District, which ran from 2007 to 2012. This project, funded by The Guardian and Barclays Bank, and in partnership with AMREF and Farm Africa, aimed to help a remote, post-conflict community of 25,000 people rebuild and thrive. Modelled on the UN millennium villages, we focused on addressing multiple interconnected challenges simultaneously, including healthcare, water, education, governance, and economic development.
What made this project unique was its groundbreaking partnership with a major media organisation, The Guardian, which documented the entire process extensively, educating the world on the intricacies of international community development work.
My role involved being deeply embedded in the community, drawing on my journalism background while coordinating efforts between diverse stakeholders. This experience not only sharpened my skills in community engagement but also marked my entry into the complex world of partnerships, working at the intersection of grassroots initiatives and global media.
WHY WESEEHOPE?
In 2024, the harsh reality is that one in six children in Sub-Saharan Africa are living in extreme poverty, accounting for more than 70% of children living in poverty worldwide. This shocking statistic is a stark reminder of the urgent work that remains to be done.
What drew me to WeSeeHope is our unwavering commitment to support the most vulnerable children within the communities they work with. By addressing the needs of those living with the highest risk — whether due to lack of opportunity, isolation, or exploitation — WeSeeHope is not only creating significant change in the lives of these children, but also building the foundations for long-term community resilience.
Whatsmore, WeSeeHope’s approach to partnering with organisations that are integrated within these communities is deeply important to me. This approach ensures that programmes are not just imposed but are developed in collaboration with those who are closest to the challenges at hand.
And it’s not just supporting communities; WeSeeHope empowers them to take ownership of their futures, ensuring that the positive impacts of our work continue long after their direct involvement ends. I strongly believe that this is the right approach – that the most effective and sustainable solutions come from and are driven by the communities themselves.
EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE
Moving forward, I’m so excited to continue the WeSeeHope journey and bring my own experiences and vision to the table while honouring the legacy that Mark has left. My goal is to take the strong platform he built and use it as a springboard to further grow our impact and influence across the development sector.
As I continue to settle into my new role, I really do look forward to meeting many of the incredible supporters who make what we do possible.
Asante sana,
Steve Murigi
WeSeeHope CEO
