At Stowelink Foundation, our commitment to improving public health and advancing equitable access to healthcare has always been at the heart of what we do. This past week, we had the incredible opportunity to participate in the inaugural Leadership in Advocacy and Communications Program organized by the World Heart Federation (WHF) in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. This training was an inspiring journey that reaffirmed our purpose and equipped us with powerful tools to amplify our impact.

This program brought together leaders and changemakers dedicated to cardiovascular health and non-communicable disease (NCD) advocacy. At Stowelink, we recognize that tackling health challenges like NCDs requires evidence-based strategies, effective communication, and multi-sectoral collaboration. Through the WHF training, we explored these approaches in depth and gained invaluable insights to strengthen our efforts.

Key Lessons from the WHF Training

1. Translating Evidence into Action
   While data is crucial, advocacy must go beyond numbers to drive real change. One of the standout lessons was how to transform evidence into compelling, relatable narratives that resonate with communities, stakeholders, and policymakers.
2. The Power of Partnerships
   Health challenges like air pollution, tobacco control, and cardiovascular diseases require a united approach. Building multi-sectoral partnerships—with sectors like transportation, urban planning, and environmental protection—ensures holistic and sustainable health solutions.
3. SMART Advocacy Objectives
   Setting clear, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals is critical. A great example is advocating for a sugary drinks tax by 2025, which could generate funding for NCD prevention while ensuring accountability.
4. Storytelling for Impact
   Storytelling is an essential tool in health advocacy. Emotional, relatable stories help humanize data, making it easier to engage stakeholders and push for policy changes that matter to real people.
5. Adapting Proven Solutions
   The training reminded us of the value of revisiting proven public health solutions, like handwashing campaigns during COVID-19. These approaches can be adapted to address contemporary challenges, such as raising awareness about NCD prevention.

Moving from Awareness to Action

A key theme of the training was the need to transition from raising awareness to driving action. Advocacy must empower communities, stakeholders, and policymakers to act on the insights presented. At Stowelink, we are committed to using tools like the Ladder of Change to turn awareness into measurable progress and meaningful outcomes.

A Step Forward for Stowelink

This training was an inspiring reminder of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and persistence in tackling health challenges. As a team, we are excited to integrate these lessons into our advocacy efforts, especially in the areas of cardiovascular health, tobacco control, and NCD prevention. We remain committed to leveraging evidence, partnerships, and impactful communication to create sustainable health solutions that resonate with communities and policymakers alike.

Leading with Heart

We extend our gratitude to the World Heart Federation for this transformative experience. The tools, skills, and strategies we’ve gained from the program will undoubtedly shape the next phase of Stowelink’s journey as we continue to champion health advocacy and improve lives.

Let us lead with heart as we move forward in building healthier, stronger communities. Stay tuned for more updates on how Stowelink is putting these lessons into action!