Shaping Change through Collective Impact: Lessons from the First WeSolve Fellowship Program
In the WeSolve Foundation Fellowship, we equip young Filipino leaders with the skills and networks to drive collective impact for their communities and advocacies.
On January 30, 2024, our first batch of fellows graduated from the WeSolve Foundation Fellowship — a program designed to capacitate young change-shapers to take up collective impact work in their respective communities. Their journey was filled with new lessons and experiences, where they fully immersed themselves in practicing their leadership skills to mobilize their sectors.
Five young leaders from different corners of the Philippines were selected based on their value alignments, competencies, and potentials: John Albert “Jam” M. Caraan, an agricultural researcher working on molecular biology and biotechnology, plant breeding, and genetics based in Los Baños, Laguna; Hamiñia Charlothe “Hams” G. De Leon, a community teacher championing an empathy-informed learning system towards holistic development of families in Paradise Heights, formerly known as “Smokey Mountain,” in Balut, Tondo, Manila; Zaira Mae “Zai” G. Dehing, a development communicator serving the youth through the Cagayan de Oro City local government; Najeb “Jeeb” S. Hadji Ali, is a committed advocate, youth leader, and peacebuilder in Bubong, Balindong, Lanao del Sur, known for his involvement in various community projects across Lanao del Sur, particularly in the area of peace-building; and Eunice Gayle “Eun” Y. Tanilon, a Cebuana economics-trained movement organizer working on sustainability, transport, and mobility as well as facilitating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) frameworks for the private sector. Each of our fellows joined WeSolve with advocacies they were passionate about, contextualized skills and experiences, and an eagerness to learn, try, and grow.
We asked some of the fellows about their experiences with the fellowship, and here’s what they had to say:
What did you like most about the fellowship?
“What I like most about the fellowship are its eye-opening learning sessions and heartwarming kapihan* gatherings.
The learning sessions capacitated me on collective action, program management, and research and policy-making. More so, the “kapihan” sessions, which hold a special place in my heart, allowed me to foster supportive and deeper connections with my co-fellows. It gave me first-hand experience of the community of care through providing space for check-ins, peer support, and learning sessions through personal experience and challenges encountered in pursuit of developing the communities we co-create and co-develop.
In essence, I loved the fellowship experience as it not only equipped me with knowledge and skills; but also gave me a supportive network. This in turn empowers me to actively and collectively contribute to positive changes within various sectors.” — Hams
*Similar to brown bag sessions, Kapihan (from the Tagalog “kape” or coffee) sessions are spaces where fellows could bond and learn from one another, other WeSolvers, and other people in our widespread advocacy movements and coalitions.
Out of all the things you learned from the fellowship, what will you carry with you?
“The fellowship has been very instrumental in shaping the woman I am today. I became more certain in everything that I do, I have become more intentional in my directions and works. It has made me elevate my career path. The people around me matter, WeSolve continuously guides, cares, and mentors.
I will carry with me the essence of doing collective impact and at the same time mastering the value of community of care. Completed Staff Work is also one of the skills that I’m practicing and I think it’s underrated but it’s highly necessary and WeSolve taught me to honor CSW at all times. I will carry with me and in my works the clearer sense of identity, belongingness in the advocacy space, and my purpose in the community.” — Zai
“Out of all the things I learned from the WeSolve Fellowship Program, the concept of having a community that cares for one another was something that really resonated with me. While we passionately engage ourselves in our work, causes, and beliefs, we often take for granted our own well-being and sensibilities. Being in a community of care means that we look out for one another and that we share the journey of navigating hopeless situations. In return, we can become better stewards and shapers of change that we desire within the communities that we serve.” — Jam
How did the fellowship help drive your advocacy?
“[The] WeSolve Fellowship helped drive my advocacy through giving me a lens that sees the transformative power of collective impact. It gave me firsthand experience of its core values — co-discovery, co-design, co-mobilization, and co-sustenance which do not only provided my with learning opportunities but chances to connect with and empower community members through community listening, capacity-building, technical writing, and policy drafting on participatory governance. More so, it taught me the value of completed staff work and community of care which made me become more efficient and effective in performing tasks; while being intentional in taking care of myself and people around me.
It also gave another perspective on our community’s battlecry — us — individually and collectively are the change we’ve been waiting for. Hence, I’m more committed to cultivating inclusive and empowering spaces where everyone is free to engage with and learn from each other, raise their voices, and be empowered in taking steps toward co-creating and co-developing an equitable and brighter future for every Juan.” — Hams
We look forward to continuously growing with our fellows as we all work together in co-shaping change for our sectors to claim our rightful space in democracy, governance, and collective impact. As our fellows continue to challenge systems and break down barriers, we would like to congratulate them once more for all they have done and learned in this fellowship and beyond!
