World Pulse: Twenty Years of Awesomeness

They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice but in the case of loneliness one cannot be that definite. One minute you can be so full of life, energy and expectations and the next life can take an unusual turn and so it was for me in February, 2009. I had reached a point in my career when it felt mundane and drab and I needed a change. Change meant leaving the familiar location of my country to another. 

I had no clear plans and I practically knew no one in the destination I was heading to but I knew that going forward was better than staying stuck in the familiar.

 It was the era where personal computers were for the elite and internet access was in bite sized pieces i.e. one hour of internet access in a cybercafé. 

While browsing the cafe I opened a mail from  an organization called AWID where the voices of the future project by World Pulse was broadcasted and I applied and that step introduced me to a whole new world. And though I wasn’t one of the successful applications, I could not easily let go because in my loneliness, uncertainties and personal frustrations, something about the community appealed to me. World Pulse was that predictable and solid structure that kept me going.  

Life happened and for a while I was no longer active but again I had a reason to log in and like a thunderbolt I fell in love with the platform in a deeper way. I felt a connection that made me realize that World Pulse is much more than a digital platform. It’s a space where your journey is treasured, a place where your voice matters and so it was for me.

Loneliness indeed has struck twice since embarking on another journey.  Physical as well as emotional. It entails looking after my ageing mum and relocating to a new city within my country to do so.

World Pulse has again come to the rescue and has held my hand along the way. Thanks to the amazing individuals in this community. And what a pleasant mix we are.

 I have met some individuals of a similar background but others are so different from me. Let me just mention one. Her name is Sumera, she is of a different religion and race but I met her during my second mentorship journey here on World Pulse. I was matched with her and as I mentored her, I got to learn about the conflict situation happening in Kashmir a territory in India. As she highlighted the issue, I saw a similarity in the South Eastern region of Nigeria within the agitation from an ethnic group that I belong to. 

 Sumera and I then embarked on writing a joint manuscript giving our perspectives on the twin agitation. Highlighting it from a female and informal conversational angle. The experience has gone beyond the writing project and has created a bond and a sisterhood and that’s the magic of world pulse, connecting and bonding total strangers, shrinking the world in the most creative and loving way.

Can I end this without highlighting the heart of the founder of such a laudable initiative? Certainly not!

Jensine Larsen is rare. In a world that is so polarized even within nations, she has chosen to only see the good in others.  In the course of the twenty years journey she must have been betrayed, cheated and even disappointed by others but not even once has she given a hint or made some snide remarks publicly. She must have noticed that not all are as dedicated as she is to helping others but she still chooses to be magnanimous and forgiven. 

I admire her for not only seeing a need for women but going ahead to do something about it. Creating that safe space for women of diverse personalities and temperaments.  She accepted everyone and with her arms wide open welcomed all even those from nations that others avoid. She made a space for everyone. 

As we celebrate this twenty years of awesomeness, I say congratulations to Jensine and to all of us. May we all be an inspiration for generations to come.