Journal Rudiments αʹ: The Ship and its Anchors

Behind every great man is an even greater woman. Behind the curtain that the act of leadership is performed, lay stage men and women who go beyond the call of duty without the urgency to get admiration out of it all. Their passion, the bigger picture, the end result is there greatest desire, aside from the all encompassing picture. These stage men and women make up, the SAWIP 2011 management team.

Leading from the rear guarantees in most cases the desired outcomes envisioned by a leader. We are all imperfect beings who strive for perfection. On this journey we have come to terms with the fact that some paths are longer, yet they venture us towards a perfect narrative for all who embody that very road. Here they are, Kim Williams, Claire Shoolin, Vivek Ramsaroop, Melvyn Lubega and other very incredible co-management staff. The thing about this team is that they know that “I” plays no part in “TEAM”.

Running a ship like the Titanic must have been a major hustle with nature and mechanics. Running a colossal vessel like the SAWIP 2011 intern must take an even greater anchor than the Titanic needed in times of clocking in at the harbour. No ship runs perfectly without storms forming, norming, and at times performing against or with the ship. Here we are months into an ocean that has had its far share of tides, whirlpools, storms, calm sees, but more so smooth breezes of inert and unvoiced exhilaration.

The construction of this ship is owed to firstly to Kim. She managed to make calls that would present me with nightmares in the day if I were in her shoes, e-mails that at times placed smiles, and some of which dipped into strong tea a spoon of disappointment. Claire and the American management team side made big runs for the sails to catch high winds that did not favour the entire ships parts at first, but a breeze was finally met, furthermore, how can one forget Viv and Melvyn, the men behind the paddles when engines seemed to somewhat weary on the ship.

The shores of Washington D.C and even New York have had its fair share of tidal encounters. I am not one to narrate drama and thrillers, yet reflection was needed when the entire ship had a minor disconnect with its crew members. One must acknowledge that the fault was not on the ship alone, but the anchors too, but then that is a tale well too told and well buried. Here we are, a mile stone above the apex, and reasoning with some of the expectations that should have been set forth, most excellently executed, reasons well shared. A journey of a thousand miles, has its uncalculated and unforeseen steps, yet well learned from and redefined by the leaps made. Thus we journey on with a symbiotic aura, a feel of openness if one must say.

Our history has come teach us that a mat does not function as a cover for issues unresolved, thanks not granted rightfully so. Thanks is a gift in accordance to all, as the mention of names will fuel elitism, and compromise the ideals and the vision set forth by SAWIP, thus to the team and management, thank you for the journey thus far, the storming, the interpersonal motivation and learning, if there is such a word, then permit me to say; the New Yorking, and more so the progressive realization of cohesion has been of value to as all if my voice may be all encompassing one. “The protection of intangible cultural heritage and maintaining the continuity of the national culture constitute an essential cultural base for enhancing cohesion in the nation.” - Li Changchun