By Isdora Msigwa
(2024 LYP Program Participant & Scholarship Winner)
In a world that often emphasizes individual success, the true force behind personal and professional growth lies in the power of your community. Whether in the workplace, academia, or social networks the strength of collective support and shared experiences shapes our journeys in profound ways—it is through connection, collaboration, and mutual encouragement that we reach new heights.
Allow me to share a snippet of my personal experiences and how indispensable role of community has been in shaping my career and personal development.
I left Tanzania in 2018, and for some time now I have been flying around this world solo. I lived and thrived in Ghana for a few years until and then moved to Toronto in 2022 where I have been learning, growing and thriving through the many incredible people I meet along the way.
Oprah Winfrey famously stated, "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." This wisdom has been evident in my own path. The impact of a strong community has gone beyond my career advancement. It fostered a sense of belonging and motivation. In times of uncertainty, having a supportive network can be the key to persevering and achieving success. This is the reason I have come this far.
Throughout my journey, friendships, sisterhoods and mentorship has played a pivotal role. The support, feedback, and encouragement from people I got lucky to meet, have helped me navigate the complexities of my field, settle in a foreign country and kickstart my career towards an impressionable trajectory. These relationships have not only opened doors to new opportunities but have also instilled confidence in my abilities. Learning from people ahead of me expanded my horizon and allowed me to reach for greater heights.
I have also learnt that, while communities offer immense support, their strength lies in the principle of reciprocity. Being an active contributor—whether by mentoring others, sharing knowledge, or providing support—ensures that the cycle of empowerment continues. I greatly appreciated this when I also learnt so much from people who look up to me, the real gem in creating a tribe of people who root for you as much as you root for them is in the power of reciprocity. We can all agree, receiving feels great, but the feeling of multiplying and giving-back what you received is the true fulfillment.
To anyone reading this, I would like you to take this one take way "When you learn, teach. When you get, give." I have used this principle for a while now and it has kept on rewarding me. I can confidently say through living in the mentality of reciprocity I have made great connections that have rewarded me awesomely, I have received multiple scholarships, awards and even jobs because my community rallied behind me and supported my dreams, and I supported theirs.
True fulfillment comes not just from receiving but from playing an active role in strengthening the communities we are part of. By fostering an environment of mutual growth, we create a culture where success is shared.
I just want you to remember, there is transformative power in community. It shapes us, builds resilience, and fosters a sense of belonging. My journey has been enriched by the networks and individuals who have supported and inspired me, and I would like for you to experience the same. Let this be a call to action: Seek out, build, and nurture the communities that empower you. Where you can, be a source of support and encouragement for others and continue contributing to these spaces in meaningful ways.
As African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Our greatest achievements are not the result of individual effort alone but of the collective strength of those who support and uplift us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isdora Bonaventure Msigwa is a Tanzanian-born biomedical engineer and business analyst passionate about healthcare innovation. A MasterCard Foundation Scholar and LYP Alumni, she earned her MEng in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto and has experience in regulatory affairs, project management, and entrepreneurship. Currently an Analyst at the Ontario Brain Institute, she supports neurotech commercialization and business development. Beyond work, Isdora enjoys hiking, board games, and exploring new challenges that fuel her curiosity and growth.
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