I have some news to share. December 31 will be my last day as Lingua Manager for Global Voices (GV). I will be joining IFEX in the capacity of Network Engagement Specialist starting January 10. It was not an easy decision to make, I'm still processing it myself, but it is about time. Stepping down usually means leaving an organisation. In my case, though, it is more of a scale back after working full time for ten years. It is time for a fresh pair of eyes to oversee Lingua, with a new stream of ideas. While it feels difficult, almost like a break-up, I consider this a healthy moment.  

I joined GV as a volunteer in 2009 while I was still a college student, translating from English into Arabic. I moved up the ranks to Arabic Lingua Translation Manager, managing the Arabic site, then Lingua Coordinator, Lingua Manager, and Board Member. Meeting many of the GV community around the world was quite a journey. I developed a lot, personally and professionally, learning from each GVer! I learned how to accept and embrace people's differences. I also learned to connect through the similarities; in culture, language, kindness, and vulnerable moments. Being in GV greatly satisfies my need to belong to a community where I feel comfortable and safe, and I will continue to find this satisfaction.  

Thanks are due to many people in the community. My fellow core team members, for recognising my potential and inviting me to help manage Lingua. The Lingua Translation Managers will always have a special place in my heart, making Lingua possible along with the larger Lingua community and increasing horizontally in size and vertically in languages over the years, making Lingua one of a kind! I believe there is nothing like Lingua anywhere else, not now, not in the past. In Advox, I got to know many people and gained valuable experiences, building on my background as an old blogger with a Human Rights focus. Rising Voices, where I learned about the vast disparity in global power dynamics, taught me the importance of solidarity through understanding. It's a journey of seeking what we don't know and sharing it with the world.

It has been an honour! Happy holidays!