As words can never contain the amount of experience that I have gathered from being a SustyViber, I have divided this entry into two parts — my life pre and post SustyVibes.
So let’s begin!
Pre- SustyVibes
I kick-started my sustainability campaign by accident and walked my way to where I am today; I have always been a special fan of responsible consumption and ethical businesses. I started off my journey by writing articles and converting my aggressions into words. I must say that it was just a coincidence that I discovered SustyVibes sometime last year when I was writing an article about the 5 Ways you can participate in The World Earth Day Celebration 2017. It took me just a few minutes on Google to discover the good work that these group of young lads has been doing and their vision seemed to have connected with mine almost immediately. I quickly signed up as a writer, researcher and every other team that I saw on the page — I practically wanted to immerse myself in the teams so as to get the best out of being a member. I was very eager to join them because prior to that day, I attended a conference at Lagos Business School and one of the things that were discussed was that we need to collaborate and team up with one another if we really want to meet the SDGs by 2030.
Emphasis on the word Collaboration!
I thought I knew it all about sustainability (I wonder what I was smoking, to think that I understood 5% of what sustainability was all about) but it didn’t take time for me to return to where I belonged – which was the beginner level (More like the toddler level) after applying to join the community.
The application didn’t take time. All I had to do was to fill a form indicating what I was bringing on board to the community as a member. After some weeks of vetting, I finally got a mail that I was successful and was immediately ushered into our exclusive WhatsApp group (which is our main and fastest way of communicating with each other). As the ‘bad’ guy that I was, with excess blood flowing through my vein, I requested to join the #StareDownOnPollution team, the SustyBusiness Team, the SustyWriters team and also the main Sustyvibes team – which is the main team that everyone belongs to irrespective of your adjunct team. The induction was seamless and immediately I had to get to work.
Post- SustyVibes
I have been a Sustyviber for almost a year now, and I can tell you that the experience is second to none.
As a SustyViber, you will meet different individuals from different walks of life and background. Now you won’t only learn about sustainability, but unconsciously, you will be tested on almost all levels. As projects start to erupt (depending on the team you belong to), you will have to learn how to be resilient, patient, time conscious, calculative, etc. These are just some of the skills that you need to hone if you ever want to make it through the first 2 months of being a successful volunteer. I must tell you, I didn’t find it easy at all. Imagine handling a Business Development role at a Fintech firm where I draft an average of ten bespoke proposals per week and combining that with all the deliverables from all my teams at SustyVibes? I must say that SustyVibes thought me that if you are passionate about a course, you will be unstoppable.
Another important thing to add is that excuses will always come, but if you are determined – it cannot deter you from your quest because you will utilize all available resources just to make sure that things are on track. Most of the folks that got in with me had to leave the group because unlike me, they did not have a well laid out purpose and passion that aligned with that of SustyVibes (A point to note for incoming and aspiring members).
Bringing it all together
SustyVibers are fun to be with and it brings out the best in you if you are willing to open up your mind and put your God-given gifts to good use. I must tell you that I have learned a lot from being a member, this is because you will always be surrounded by a group of really smart young people who are fighting their way into making the world a better place.
And right there, is where I have always wanted to be.
My home.