Time, and how we use it, is becoming one of the most defining challenges in global health. As funding tightens and AI promises new efficiencies, how we spend our minutes, hours and days matters more than ever. At VillageReach, we’re committed to using time wisely, not just for the technical work of improving health systems, but to pause, reflect and reconnect with the people and purpose that drive our mission.
That’s what made VillageFest 2025 so important.
This year marked the first time our entire global team gathered—virtually—for a dedicated day of learning, celebration and community. It felt bold. Maybe even indulgent. But as Edwin Mulwa reminded us in his powerful spoken word piece:
“TIME Is Managed Expectations; Reaching for the sky despite the Conditions … TIME Is My Existence; The question is, has my presence made a Difference?”
With 200 colleagues from 25 countries, across four time-zones, VillageReach is growing rapidly. Yet our commitment to the values of excellence, equity, innovation and collaboration requires active cultivation. Making time to come together isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. When teams feel seen and heard, when individuals reflect on their impact, the result is stronger work and deeper motivation.
After all, only together can we reach farther and make a more profound difference.
Starting with Connection
The festivities kicked off the week before with a spirited GooseChase challenge. Through this interactive app, teams completed tasks like reenacting local dances, recreating the VillageReach logo using only materials salvaged from their desk, and sharing hometown sights. Across continents and time zones, we laughed, strategized and built connections through creativity and play.
By the time the live event opened with a peek into our offices across Africa in “Around the World in 60 Minutes,” we were already energized (not least due to some in-house DJ hype). The agenda took us across serious thought and celebratory fun, with sessions on leadership style, bias and work-life balance. We danced with our Kenya office, learned from leaders including incoming CEO, Dr. Ahmed Ogwell, and reflected on the future of global health.
Looking Ahead to Tech as a Force for Equity
One standout moment came from Professor S. Yunkap Kwankam’s talk, “Technology Trends to Empower the VillageReach 2030 Strategy.” He reminded us that if we want to go far and fast, we must go together, and that technology is a key accelerant to achieving our goal of reaching 350 million people by 2030.
“Digital technology,” he said, “is now the third pillar of health, alongside chemistry and physics.”
But he also challenged us to ensure these tools promote health, not just treat disease, and to put people back at the center of health systems. “Let’s stop calling it the ‘last mile,’” he urged. “Let’s call it the first mile—where health truly begins.”
Celebrating Legacy: Joy Chipiko’s 17 Years
While we explored the future, we also celebrated the past, most notably through the incredible story of Joy Chipiko, a driver with VillageReach Malawi for 17 years.
“I always believe in ‘arrive alive,’” Joy told us. “Drive defensively, think about safety first. Make sure everyone gets there and gets back.”
From waking up early to check tire pressure and clean the car, to navigating challenging rural roads, Joy’s dedication has kept programs running and people safe. But his impact goes far beyond logistics.
When Joy started with VillageReach in 2008, his wife was expecting a child. Now, his family is thriving thanks in part to the stability and growth made possible by his work. In a world so focused on innovation and scale, Joy reminds us that consistency and diligence are important forms of leadership too.
Honoring Leadership: A Farewell to Emily Bancroft
Another bittersweet moment came with a tribute to our outgoing CEO & President, Emily Bancroft. In a touching poem, Tapiwa Mukwashi captured the essence of Emily’s leadership:
“You’ve shown us the way, engaging with kindness each day,
Teaching us to listen, to care, and to share…
Leadership isn’t just strategy or might;
It’s leading with warmth, making burdens feel light.”
Under Emily’s leadership, VillageReach has become a more impactful organization that has increasing access to quality health care from 20 million to 111 million people. But her legacy is not just a strategic roadmap, it’s a culture of care.
Laughs, Wisdom and What Unites Us
VillageFest was also filled with laughter and shared wisdom. From our “Jokes and Quotes” session, one prescient and darkly-comic African proverb stood out:
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito!”
And a quote that resonated deeply:
“We desire to bequeath two things to our children: the first is roots, the second is wings.”
From trivia games to live DJ sets and moments of vulnerability during team collaboration hours, VillageFest reminded us that the strength of our impact depends on the strength of our connections.
“Reach” is a Doing Word
A friend recently told me to consider that love is a verb. It’s not just something you feel; it’s something you do. The same can be said of our mission. “Reach” isn’t passive. It’s active. And at VillageFest, we reached out across time zones and cultures to reflect, dream and reaffirm the values that unite us.
In doing so, we made the most of our most precious resource: time.