Hi everyone, hope you are all doing fantastically well!
I know, I know, I have been pretty silent on the blog in the last 2 weeks – and I do apologise for it! And thanks for the many reminders people!
But believe me, it's not because things have not moved on here! So for today’s article – I have decided to talk to you about the current work being done for the launch of the Munsieville Model of Excellence, which is at the core of my mandate here in South Africa.
Anyone who has been in South Africa for a day or two these last 3 months, or even in transit for an hour or two at one of the country's airports, will have been in a vulnerable position to be hit by a very dangerous and contagious bug which is currently contaminating the whole country. Many severe symptoms have been identified, including huge episodes of fever, that the authorities have named ‘The World Cup of Football fever’! And it just gets worse... There are no available vaccines and no drugs have shown any type of efficacy either. As you can see, very dangerous this ‘World Cup Bug’! And it is expected to spread all across the world this upcoming June, reaching millions and millions of people across the globe, with some severe alerts for something like 32 countries! Watch out!!!!
Before coming to South Africa in February, I had been warned by my GSK Canada Vaccines team about this bug, and they even tried to protect me against it by giving me a farewell ‘South Africa Bafana Bafana 2010 World Cup’ jersey.
Despite the ineffectiveness at protecting me from getting the ‘World Cup fever’, I have to once again, say a big 'Thank You' to my team back in Canada: Julie, Isabelle, Alex, Cara, Mary-Sue, Angelo and Carole. This farewell gift has been a real inspiration and source of reflection since my departure – in helping me to gather insights for the second phase of my PULSE ‘Be the Change’ assignment delivery, the development of a powerful awareness launch platform within the UK and South Africa, for the Munsieville OVC Model of Excellence and its associated Partnership Investment Programme, which is also creating a lot of excitement within the Munsieville Community.
One of the big differences I have noticed in my new work environment is the very limited level of resources the non-profit sector has to develop and implement plans, as compared to the private sector. Not a huge surprise you will say! So, how will we be able to create rapid awareness around the launch of the Munsieville Model, both in the UK and South Africa, with the limited resources available to us?
After spending long nights thinking about this, discussing with my colleagues, observing and listening to what the locals had to say about this 'bad bug' which is hitting the country… I came to the conclusion that these few words, if all grouped all together in one sentence, might potentially guide us to our solution: Superior Engagement, Creativity, and …external forces! What are those external forces that are present in the environment, which by adding a massive source of creativity to them, can create a product that will reach out to people to favour mass engagement and therefore, help us to create the energy necessary to reach out our “Tipping Point’?
OK, so enough talking- let's go straight to the point! It is with a great pleasure that I formally invite all of you to the upcoming launch of the Munsieville Model, from June 10th to July 10th 2010, where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Munsieville Model and its associated Partnership Investment Programme - by following the action of the Munsieville International Children’s Cup of Football, where 32 teams of orphans and vulnerable children from Munsieville, aged between 13-17, representing and wearing the colours of the 32 FIFA World Cup Countries, will compete for 31 days, over 64 games, replicating the schedule of the FIFA World Cup of Football. For a full month, the children of Munsieville will be the kings and queens, the STARS of the community – which is at the core of the Munsieville Model. All the community rallied behind its future: the children’s.
More to come on the Munsieville Children’s Cup very soon. And, before I leave you, a quick word of caution. Watch out for this bug...it is coming....fast! Don't say that I didn't warn you...
Talk soon
Martin
Martin Lafontaine
GSK PULSE 'Be the Change' Volunteer
