From June 28th to 30th, something magical happened in the ChangemakerXchange community. Across the globe, in eleven vibrant cities, our community members came together for the Homecoming Gathering. This event was a celebration of connection and the joy of reuniting with friends, old and new.
Our gatherings took place in Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Istanbul, Kigali, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Lima, Paris, Toronto, and Tunis. We carefully chose these cities to ensure diverse representation. Seeing all the beautiful experiences and connections that were made, we wished we could have hosted even more gatherings. But stay tuned—we have big dreams for the future already!
Each city brought its own unique flavor to the event, showcasing the diversity of our global community. In Berlin, the gathering kicked off with a fulfilling feast of veggie pizza at the ChangemakerXchange office. Meanwhile, in Toronto, a small yet intimate group bonded over a joyful and bilingual meal. Bangkok’s event began with participants sharing their expectations in one word, building anticipation. In Paris, the group enjoyed their opening circle under the sun at the park.
On the second day, Kuala Lumpur thrilled the group with street food adventures and the daring experience of trying durian. Kigali’s Nature Walk at Nyndungu EcoPark was filled with laughter and excitement for those who attended. In Tunis, participants had a deep and meaningful conversation in the dark about the impact of love, making the evening both memorable and touching.
Beijing had a fun time energising everyone with a fun karaoke session. In Lagos, the group spent their time together playing fun board games. Istanbul showcased creativity through collaborative painting. Meanwhile, Lima’s group savored great ceviche while soaking up the sun.
We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our wonderful hosts, whose dedication and enthusiasm made these gatherings possible: Ahmed Hadhri for the Tunis gathering, Esmat Elsayed for the Paris gathering, Esther Grossman for the Berlin gathering, Haoyu Quan for the Kuala Lumpur gathering, Joseph Kagabo for the Kigali gathering, Naz Yaman for the Istanbul gathering, Nicole Doray for the Toronto gathering, Nuchnalin Leerasantana for the Bangkok gathering, Odunayo Aliu (with support from Omotoke Titilope Olowo) for the Lagos gathering, Ying Li for the Beijing gathering, and Ze Carlos Honorato Pando Espinoza for the Lima gathering.
Reading the testimonials from the Homecoming Gathering participants has warmed our hearts and confirmed what we’ve always believed—meeting fellow changemakers is a truly inspiring experience. The interactions from the gathering ignite new ideas, foster collaborations, and build friendships that transcend borders. The gathering as a whole provides an opportunity for our community members to learn from one another, grow together, and contribute to our shared mission of creating, sustaining, and scaling positive change.
It is worth noting that the Homecoming Gathering follows a self-facilitated format. This approach not only made it possible for anyone to organise but also empowered our community members to take the initiative and create meaningful experiences within their local contexts. In essence, the ChangemakerXchange team provided the canvas, but it was our incredible community members who brought the tools to paint.
And we want to emphasize this important message: meeting fellow changemakers is something you can do anytime! The connections and inspiration from such gatherings don’t have to be confined to a single event or weekend—they can happen year-round, wherever you are.
Needless to say, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the ChangemakerXchange Homecoming Gathering a success. Your contribution has truly made this community feel like home.
