“Travellers, there is no path. The path is made by walking.”

Ten years ago today, this phrase inspired us to establish a home for people committed to the lifelong adventure of tackling humanity’s toughest problems.

And what a time to be celebrating this milestone…amidst the greatest threat to global stability we’ve seen in generations.

And so, this is a moment where we salute all those who have inspired us along the way; the innovators and pioneers, the travellers and explorers, the change-makers and every single person out there seeking to tackle the biggest challenges facing the planet.

A wise old soul once told me that it’s only in our toughest moments where we see ourselves for who we really are. And if the letter below from our Head of Finance – Stuart Dallaway is anything to go by, then it leaves me all the more energised to continue walking this path.

Thank you – from all of us at Wasafiri, to all you fellow travellers.

“Dear Wasafiri,

In celebration of Wasafiri’s birthday today, I’d like to say a big thank you to you all for being awesome.

I’ve been on the journey with Wasafiri for almost three years now and those three years have been packed full of wonderful moments but also contained some of my biggest professional and personal challenges. However, the spirit and integrity of the people I’ve worked with made those moments not only bearable but inspiring.

As we travel through this global epidemic I look around me at the wonderful and competent people I’m working with and I’m convinced we will come out of this stronger. I have some worries of course relating to the damage that COVID19 will leave behind but I’m thankful to be in the right place with the right bunch of people to ride this out. As an organisation that is built on agility and able to keep connected with one another regardless of physical location, we will find many opportunities to support and show leadership to those around us. It’s in moments like this we can be that shining light of purposeful optimism for others as I believe at no other time in the last ten years are we more relevant than we are today.

So as I sit in a cluttered and slightly dusty spare bedroom, I look out the window at the sunrise, I raise my mug of tea to you all and say: bring on the next 10 years!

Yours Gratefully,

Stuart

PS. When you wash your hands today don’t forget to sing happy birthday to Wasafiri…. twice.”