Samuel Wanjohi
“We are pleased to inform you that WOHC 2022’s Scientific Committee has accepted your abstract for oral presentation”. This 18-word sentence ushered in what would be a memorable experience, packed with happiness, albeit fraught with moments of anxiety, and uncertainty. This was, after all, the World One Health Congress, “the world’s premier conference for advancing the One Health agenda”, as described by the organisers, bringing together “professionals and thought leaders from academic institutions, civil society, national governments, private, multidisciplinary and multilateral sectors” from around the world.
I was thrilled about presenting in the congress, concerned about the challenges and the unknowns that lie ahead, and uncertain about how the entire process would unfold. Emotions were fluctuating between excitement and enthusiasm on one hand and anxiety and ambiguity on the other, unsure about how the whole presentation would go and if at all I would make it there.
Though a long flight, the 14+hours journey from Nairobi was comfortable, with the plane touching down at Changi Airport, Singapore, in the night-time. Getting to my accommodation – a few minutes to midnight – the scheduled day for my presentation, only served to heighten the emotions within me.
The next morning, a short taxi drive from my accommodation got me to the conference venue at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The Sands Expo & Convention Centre presented an exceptional conferencing ambience. The space was comfortable and provided a conducive learning environment. The lighting was great, seating and movement were comfortable, and housekeeping facilities including refreshment areas and washrooms were easily accessible. The layout was such that it provided for interaction and networking opportunities among the thousands of conference delegates and speakers, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Though feeling tired, fatigued and generally out of sorts – symptoms associated with jet lag and traversing different time zones just a few hours earlier- I was looking forward to my presentation slated for the afternoon. And so it was that the long-awaited moment on the global stage came; my 10 minutes of fame.
The abstract focused on the work that the AFROHUN Kenya team had conducted, under the USAID’s One Health Workforce – Next Generation (OHW-NG) project, looking at the involvement of the environmental sector in One Health activities for synergy and bigger impact. I discussed our team’s approach to this work and highlighted some of the key result areas. I shared lots of visuals that helped to illustrate the process. I shared some take home messages and implications of the work done. I was pleased to see that the audience had followed through and showed interested in the work presented. The question-and-answer session provided an opportunity for audience engagement.
I was delighted by the positive response that I received at the end of the abstract presentations for that afternoon. Some of the attendees approached me during breaks for some additional discussions. It was an amazing experience sharing what we were doing as an organization, with such a knowledgeable and engaged audience.
After The presentation, I felt incredibly grateful and fulfilled, having showcased AFROHUN to a global audience. Pheeew, that’s it, mission accomplished. What was left was getting selfies in front of iconic buildings and other structures. Or so, I thought. It happens that my 10 minutes of fame were yet to come. Seated in the main conference room during the official closing ceremony, I was wonderfully surprised to learn that I had won first prize for the oral presentation in the Policy, Environment and Biosecurity track. My heart skipped a beat when the announcement was made. I felt a rush of adrenaline and wanted to shout with joy. I found myself in a soliloquy, exclaiming in Kiswahili, my national language, and thereafter sending a flurry of chat messages. What a memorable experience that was. I still cannot believe the strength it took to contain my excitement and maintain a dignified presence.
Going into the congress, I had minimal expectations. One of my hopes was that the AFROHUN Kenya presentation would provide an example that could be borrowed. The reception the presentation received however, capped with the award, was humbling.
There was a whole ecosystem that made the achievements shared possible. I therefore wish to acknowledge USAID, OHW-NG Consortium, AFROHUN Management and Secretariat, Environment Institute of Kenya, University of Nairobi, Moi University, the AFROHUN Kenya Team – Deans, Thematic Leads, Activity Leads, SOHIC Leaders, Alumni, Country Admin and last but not least 7th WOHC 2022 Organizing and Scientific Committees. Special heartfelt gratitude and appreciations to Prof. William Bazeyo, AFROHUN Chief Executive Officer. And finally, in a Steve Jobs-esque way, my appreciations to the ones who had a front row seat with me all along.
All good things come to an end; it was soon time to board the 14+hours flight back home. This time, it was more bearable, comfortable, and seemingly not that long, engrossed with thoughts of gratitude for the opportunity that was afforded to me to present our work at the conference. I am looking forward to sharing more achievements and our stories of change in the future.
Mr. Sam Wanjohi is the Country Manager, AFROHUN Kenya.