By Omolola Precious
Change Agent Cohort 6, YMCA Nigeria
This is the fourth in a series of articles by Precious, sharing the experience of being a World YMCA Change Agent and the knowledge and perspectives gained along the way; read the fourth article here.
The entire Change Agent Programme has felt deeply human, even through a virtual system. We have navigated unstable connections, different time zones, other personal engagements and still, we showed up!
This article is about the connection, the magic that happens when young leaders from all over the world gather virtually, not just to learn, but to grow together.
Learning from each other
In many of our general sessions, we learn from experts across equally important fields, from using AI for impact effectively, to panel discussions on fundraising, to breakout rooms where we listen to stories of projects thriving in various YMCAs.
There is something powerful about hearing someone articulate an idea you have been struggling to put into words. It was in the exchanges after a facilitator finished speaking, in the breakout rooms and team meetings, that the lessons actually set in.
Then there were sessions that felt like friendship. Just space to check in, to talk about ongoing projects, small wins, delays, frustrations, and what we were up to personally.
Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely
The sad truth is that leadership can be isolating. You can be surrounded by people in your community and still feel alone in your vision. You can carry responsibilities that others do not fully understand. You can be pushing a project forward while quietly questioning whether you are doing enough. But in those sessions, that isolation disappears, and our cohort feels like a community.
This programme became a network, a laboratory of ideas, a support system, and a circle of friends. When you combine structured learning with authentic connection, you do not just produce informed leaders; you nurture grounded ones.
As I reflect, I realise this programme has been a bridge between cities, experiences, ideas, and actions. In those Zoom and Google Meet meetings, leadership stopped being a solitary pursuit. It became shared, strengthened, and undeniably human, much like our Vision 2030 pillar of community wellbeing.
The YMCA is a community, and being in those spaces with other changemakers simply reminded me that I am meant to be here. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from such thoughtful leaders, coaches, and facilitators through the Change Agent programme.
This programme is nothing short of gold, a gem. These are the refining stages that shape the Change Agents, and I hope our YMCAs, communities, and the world at large is ready for what the sixth cohort is bringing.