Operating in The Gambia, Nigeria, Malawi and Lesotho, each Riders team spends most of their time focused on their own country’s challenges, their unique clients and partners, and the day-to-day management of their team. But for Riders to continue to be world leaders in transport management for health and to maintain their famously high standards across all their programmes, working together is essential.
From left to right: Adetola Olaniun (Riders, Nigeria), Therese Drammeh (Riders, The Gambia), Mahali Hlasa (Riders Lesotho), Kayode Ajayi (Riders. Nigeria), Barry Coleman (Riders, co-founder), Ruth Rensberg (Riders, Malawi), Che Jallow (Riders, The Gambia).
The management council, organised every year, is a chance for the pan-African team to think about the bigger picture of global health, hold each other to account, share knowledge between countries and plan their overall strategy. Each meeting results in key resolutions, actions and priorities that drive the group in taking health to the last mile.
Highlights of the week
The intense two-week long conference was led by the international team that helped keep the event active and fun despite the number of serious topics. Time was made for inter-faith prayer, songs and physical team building exercises.
The team shared lessons-learned, progress updates, achievements and challenges. International funding and economic insights were examined and this informed discussions on fundraising strategies to sustain Riders’ work.
The future of drones
We visited the Skyfarer drone facility in Coventry. They demonstrated one of their drones and gave us a presentation of their organisation and the work they are doing so we could continue our discussions about the potential uses of drones across our country programmes.
The founders
Meeting in the UK, the team also had an important opportunity to connect with the British founders of Riders for Health, Andrea and Barry Coleman who continue to support the organisation through ongoing advocacy and fundraising as well as networking to expand Rider’s reach.
Impact metrics
The team was joined by Dr. Andrew Bastawrous from PEEK Vision who work to promote eye care and health globally. He conducted an insightful impact measurement session with each country tasked with developing customised impact metrics work back at home.
Mental health
Dr. Chris Underhill gave an important session on mental health across Africa and how the problems can be addressed. The Riders leaders considered how they could keep working on these areas in their own countries.
Two Wheels for Life
In the following week other members of the UK based Two Wheels for Life team joined, including Riders for Health co-founder and CEO of Two Wheels for Life Andrea Coleman, to talk about how the two organisations can work better together. The international team will be working closely with the Two Wheels team to realise exciting new steps.
Attendees
Attendees where Mphatso Kachule (Country Director, Malawi), Mahali Hlasa (Country Director, Lesotho), Kayode Ajayi (Riders International Director), Therese Drammeh (Country Director, The Gambia), Che Jallow (Program Director, The Gambia), Adetola Olanium (Program Director, Nigeria), Ruth Rensburg (R4H Malawi) from Riders.
Thank yous
Riders for Health would like to thank everybody who joined them in Birmingham as well as thank partner Two Wheels for Life for organising the travel for and funding the 2022 management council.
