Five years is a significant milestone in the life and development of any organization and so it is for WISCAR. I am therefore delighted and grateful to have the opportunity this November to celebrate WISCAR’s 5th Year Anniversary in style and surrounded by our increasing circle of faithful and devoted friends and supporters from far and wide. The time has simply flown by. From inception in 2008 as the mere twinkling of an idea and after its tentative first steps into the world, WISCAR has flourished and grown in leaps and bounds. All the while, WISCAR has remained true to its’ mission of “Developing women to build a better nation”.
In some ways, it has been a truly breath-taking adventure…
From an initial intake of 12 mentees in 2008, WISCAR has grown to the point where this year out of over 100 applicants we plan to induct more than 30 aspiring and talented young ladies into the program for the 2013/2014 session. Over its 5 years of existence, WISCAR has taken over 70 aspiring young career women under its wings and put them through the powerful and unique WIN with WISCAR Program. The WISCAR Program is an equally grueling and exhilarating 12-month intense learning and mentoring experience for each and every one of the mentees that embark on the course. We know this not just from our own direct experience in putting together the program but also because of the feedback we receive regularly from the mentees. Indeed, many of them describe their experience on the program as simply transformational!
We could not have wished for more and it is so humbling and moving to see that through the collective effort of our Advisory Board, mentors, mentees, donors, friends and supporters, WISCAR is succeeding and is making a positive difference in the life of the young ladies we draw in. We see the value they derive from the programme in many ways and we see the increasing quality and number of applicants that apply for the course each year and compete fiercely for the available slots during what is a most rigorous selection process.
It is especially rewarding to observe that our contribution to developing young women’s careers are not just being noted and well-received locally but are also receiving increasing international attention and recognition. Just a few weeks ago, we all jumped with joy when we received notification that WISCAR had been awarded an initial base-line grant from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the well-known international funding and development organisation based in Accra, Ghana. AWDD administers grants and funds on behalf of many of the largest and most reputable international donor foundations. This indicates that WISCAR is succeeding in building a strong, reputable and recognizable brand.
In the coming years, WISCAR fully intends to uphold and sustain the very high standards that have enabled it to reach these milestones.
There are so many people to thank that it is difficult to know where to start. From our gracious Patrons, our selfless Advisory Board members, to the WISCAR staff and all our donors, friends and supporters, all have contributed repeatedly and generously beyond the call of duty to support our efforts and build a successful and significant organisation. We thank you all for your support and encouragement. We could not have done it without you and we continue to count on you to help to take us to even greater heights.
To our graduating Mentees, I congratulate you for successfully completing the WIN with WISCAR mentoring programme. I have no doubt that, having enjoyed and endured a year of intense learning, you are indeed ready for the next phase of your careers. You are poised to excel. I urge you to internalize all that you have learnt and gained and put it into practice immediately. You should also and nurture the relationships you have built with your mentors and the wider network. They will be of benefit to you for the rest of your lives. To our Mentors, I say a very big THANK YOU! Your contribution is at the very heart of all we do. Without the generosity and love of special people like you, our 2013 mentees could not have navigated the course so well. Thank you for drawing them close, holding their hands and guiding them along the way.
Finally, I wholeheartedly welcome the 2014 mentees. Every one of you passed through our very rigorous selection process and should be congratulated accordingly. But the journey has only just begun. If you apply yourselves to the task ahead, the experience will certainly bring out the best in you and help you to fulfill your potential the best you can be. You have the world at your feet so take full advantage of all that the WISCAR programme has to offer. This is a unique and irreplaceable opportunity. So use it well and propel your career to resounding success.
Amina Oyagbola
Founder/ Chairperson
