Jen's Journal

How Does Change Happen?

This is perhaps one of those eternal questions
that carries both simplicity
and depths of complexity
juxtaposed in a tension
so bright and dark that
emotions explode and identities blurred.

Is your belief defined by your role
or is your role defined by your belief?

How does change happen?

POLICY says the policy maker
MARKETS says the business manager
MASS MOBILIZATION says the organizer

DIALOGUE says the convenor
SYSTEMS CHANGE says the academic
IMAGINATION says the artist

INVENTION says the scientist
INNOVATION says the technologist
INVESTMENT says the banker

DESIGN says the architect
ENLIGHTENMENT says the spiritual guide
RULE OF LAW says the lawyer

CONVICTION says the leader
EDUCATION says the teacher
DATA says the analyst

UNIVERSAL ACCESS says the philanthropist
HEALTHY CHOICES says the coach
AWARENESS says the communicator

PERSPECTIVE says the author
CRISIS says the journalist
ACTION says the entrepreneur

REVOLUTION says the activist
HOPE says the dreamer
NETWORKS says the connector
INSPIRATION says the storyteller

LOVE says the mother
ASPIRATION says the father
LAUGHTER says the child
POSSIBILITY says the youth
REFLECTION says the elder


And so we ask ourselves
Where we stand, where we shine and where we fly.
We ask whether or not
we are defined
by the roles we take
or the collective outcomes that emerge
when our efforts and beliefs collide.

Is it magic or tragic that we disagree?

Our energy
moves us and flows through us
like the air we breathe
and water we drink.

It then propels us
forward and outward
helping us to regenerate and catalyze
within ourselves and with others.

We grow
as we discover our life force.

We can tap it, channel it, shake with it
or even play with it.

We are guided
by our own thoughts
intentions and kindness.

We attract what we are willing to share
with expressions of gratitude.

We receive what we generously offer.
Bliss is found in thankfulness.

In this world, it is not every day that you encounter people who are so lit up and full of life that hope and beauty become your only lens to view reality. Patricia Sudi was one of those people. Her love for the world and ability to brighten a room with her smile is one of the many things we will be ever grateful for.

I first met Patricia in 2006 at the TakingITGlobal Members Meeting hosted at the One Stop Resource Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Out of the 60 youth who attended, she was one of the most vocal and motivated who spoke up to be heard and wasn’t afraid to stand out. I remember thinking about how impressive she was and how ideal it would be for us to have her as our local coordinator. We followed up and delightfully, she took on the role as our coordinator in Kenya.

With great determination and enthusiasm, Patricia led countless workshops and outreach efforts with thousands of youth across the country and then expanded across East Africa. When we received a grant from Adobe Youth Voices to lead a digital media project in 10 countries, Patricia was among our top selected coordinators reaching vulnerable and marginalized youth with skills training and an outlet for creative expression.

In 2007, Patricia represented TakingITGlobal and her work as a young social entrepreneur in Malaysia at the Global Knowledge Partnership conference where I had an opportunity to see her again in person, after working online for years! Out of sheer amazement for her inspirational presence, I captured a short informal video interview that I would like to share with you.



Words cannot express the sense of pain and sadness I feel for this loss - on both a personal level and on behalf of the many people who have been touched by Patricia over the years. The world is in desperate need of people like Patricia; people who offer compassion, generosity, authenticity and inspired leadership. My only sense of peace comes from the deep gratitude that I feel for the moments that I have shared with Patricia that have inspired hope and joy in my own life, for the incredible contributions she has made to TakingITGlobal and the many youth she has reached across Africa and around the world. Patricia, we honour you, we thank you, we love you.