Our Context.
Visualize a cracked cup symbolizing a damaged home, community, or institution in a resource-constrained environment, where resources are lost without being utilized effectively. Adversity, especially in such contexts, encompasses various challenges or circumstances that harm the health and well-being of children, families, and communities, affecting society at all levels.
In fragile contexts, individuals often face a multitude of adverse experiences that extend beyond childhood, encompassing community, climate, and cultural challenges. These experiences can have profound and long-lasting effects on health and well-being, leading to poor physical health, substance abuse, depression, and other mental health issues in adulthood. While the yearly cost of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in these contexts is not easily quantifiable, its impact is deeply felt by individuals and communities alike.
At GSN, we recognize the need to expand the understanding of adversity and its impact on health and well-being. We have adapted the ACEs framework to include a broader range of adverse experiences that are particularly relevant to our context in East Africa and the Horn. Our approach encompasses four realms: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adverse Community Experiences, Adverse Climate Experiences, and Adverse Cultural Experiences. This holistic perspective allows us to better understand and address the complex interplay of factors that shape the lives and well-being of individuals in our region. Moreover, as all of these realms are centered around lived experiences, it is evident that our work is firmly rooted in the authentic experiences of individuals and communities.
By considering the wider spectrum of adversity, we aim to develop and implement more effective interventions and support systems that promote resilience, healing, and overall well-being. Our work is grounded in the belief that by addressing the root causes of adversity and fostering protective factors, we can help individuals and communities to thrive, even in the face of significant challenges.
At GSN, health equity is profoundly important to us because it reflects our core values of fairness and social justice. We have witnessed firsthand how imbalances in health opportunities and resources can ripple through communities, especially those in fragile contexts, like the ones we work with in East Africa. For us, it's not just about statistics; it's about real people, their lives, their dreams, and their well-being.
As peacebuilding practitioners, we have seen how the intersection of mental health and societal structures is critical. When health equity is lacking, it aggravates collective trauma and hinders the healing process. We are talking about mothers who can't access mental health services, farmers who are unable to get proper healthcare, and entire communities feeling disempowered.
To us, health equity means that everyone, irrespective of their background, has a fair shot at not just surviving, but truly thriving. It's about leveling the playing field so that each person can realize their full potential. In doing so, we are not just improving individual lives; we are, stitch by stitch, mending the fabric of our societies.
In essence, health equity is a beacon of hope, and striving for it is our way of being part of a larger movement for a more just and compassionate world. At Green String Network, we are committed to promoting health equity through our work, ensuring that every individual has access to the resources and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
