{"id":11105,"date":"2021-09-29T06:47:11","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T12:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/?p=11105"},"modified":"2021-09-29T06:48:13","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T12:48:13","slug":"launching-the-guatemala-learning-network-setting-the-foundation-for-a-healthy-forest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/launching-the-guatemala-learning-network-setting-the-foundation-for-a-healthy-forest\/","title":{"rendered":"Launching the Guatemala Learning Network: Setting the foundation for a healthy forest"},"content":{"rendered":"
“Whenever we listen to our true selves and give it the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves but for all the people whose lives we touch.\u201c -Parker Palmer<\/b><\/p>\n
We started dreaming about a gathering for the Guatemala partners in 2019- a chance for the programs to harvest their collective knowledge, access experts in topics of their interest, and find opportunities for collaboration. Having witnessed the impact of the learning networks in Asia, we were excited to launch a network in this region too. All six partners were just as excited and contributed with ideas and topics for the gathering. We originally planned to launch it in early 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n
The pandemic however posed an enormous challenge to carry out our plans for the network- not only it was impossible to gather in person, but the partners were dealing with different crises and responding to emergencies in their communities, often pressed for time and directing all efforts to the sustenance of their organizations. At a time when the partners needed other forms of urgent support, we shifted our focus to the Rapid Response Fund. However, the pandemic continued to encourage important conversations with the partners about sustainability and health: both for the organization and their teams, which reinforced the importance of building a space for collaboration where partners can work on finding solutions together and learn from each other.<\/span><\/p>\n
Inspired by the partners’ ability to adapt, we decided to launch the network virtually, through a series of workshops focused on <\/span>self-care for non-profit leaders<\/span>. The pandemic made it evident that in order to have healthy organizations and therefore a healthy network (or as we like to call it: a healthy forest), it is imperative to strengthen the roots: the talented leaders and their teams who work tirelessly to effect change in their communities and who are often role models for the participants they serve and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n