About a year ago, when people used to ask me, “What are your plans after graduation?”, I would nervously reply “social entrepreneurship.” I wasn’t nervous because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. And I wasn’t nervous because I didn’t know how to explain the mysterious new field of social enterprise. I was nervous because I didn’t think that I could give a good enough reason why I wanted to do that. I didn’t have very many logical reasons for my interest in this area, nor did I have a good idea of what a job description for a social entrepreneur would look like. I still don’t, but now I don’t think it’s as necessary. Vocation means calling, and I have been called to my vocation not with words, but with deep and authentic feelings.
As I was preparing to write this final reflection, I decided to read through the journal that I kept while working with BanaPads this summer. I would like to share an excerpt from my last journal entry, which I wrote after a particularly long day of workshops and meetings.
July 27th, 2014 I believe that each of us was put on this earth for a special reason. Some of us were born to be great leaders, others great thinkers, and others great nurturers. But in addition to our own personal calling, I feel that we are all called to be here for the sake of each other. Humankind was created as a unit, not as just a sum of individuals […] If I’ve learned anything from my time with the people of Uganda, it’s the incredible value of being connected to something greater.
I recall being struck by how, only weeks before, I had been feeling homesick and was having a difficult time engaging with the people around me, but it didn’t take very long to feel like a part of a community. The people that I worked with on a regular basis were very intelligent and caring people, and I loved spending long days with them working towards a common goal. I’ve always considered myself somewhat of an introvert, but I found that I drew a lot of my energy from people I was working with on projects for BanaPads. I really enjoyed collaborating with the people I worked with, and I knew that my work would not end when I left. I found this kind of sustainable community engagement especially fulfilling.
The lovely ladies of BanaPads (and Ty)
Feeling called to do something is an emotional experience and can’t always be explained with logic. Richard Bbaale, the founder of BanaPads, didn’t start his business because he would make a lot of money, or because it was an obvious path after graduating college. He started BanaPads because he had a personal connection to the issue and was spurred into action by something greater than himself. When he was growing up, he noticed that his sister would miss a few days of school each month but he didn’t know why. He would later find out that it was because she didn’t have sanitary pads and was too embarassed to attend school. He was shocked and inspired by his sister’s story to ensure that no other could would have to miss school because of this issue. His business wasn’t started because he wanted to make a lot of money–he started his business because he needed to.
Richard Bbaale, founder and CEO of BanaPads. Source: One.org
This fellowship experience has reaffirmed my belief in social entrepreneurship as a catalyst for social change and assured me of my own personal aspirations. Oftentimes, emotional decisions are thought of as irrational and irresponsible. But the decisions that I’ve made by following my gut have been some of the best decisions of my life. I knew that I needed to study abroad in Thailand rather than study in Europe. I know that I needed to apply for this fellowship rather than try to secure a high paying internship. Intuition, divine intervention, however you want to label it, can be an immensely powerful force. I have learned though that it’s okay to trust those feelings, even when you can’t explain it.