Week 5 - From Action to Impact

Week five marked a pivotal shift from planning to tangible action and consolidation. Our project began to take physical shape while we worked to translate our findings into lasting resources for Les Jardins d’Haïti.

The week began with an insightful online workshop led by our Makesense coordinator, Jade. She taught us methodologies to analyze data from our field studies, which proved immediately relevant to interpreting the survey responses we had collected from residents and community members. This process helped transform raw feedback into actionable insights that would shape the garden's future programming.

Midweek, we received valuable in-person support during a coaching session with our coordinator Emma, who visited us in Marseille. Her guidance came at the perfect time as we refined our project approach. We were also delighted to welcome Hannah, the Laidlaw community ambassador, whose enthusiasm and support meant a great deal to our team. She even joined us for a community interview session, offering a fresh perspective on our work.

The most rewarding moment came when we organized a garden cleanup event, inviting everyone including the biodiversity team and Hannah to participate. Together, we weeded the planters, turned the soil, and restored the pétanque court to playing condition. Seeing the space transform through our collective effort was incredibly satisfying, since our work not only prepared the court for future activities but also created optimal conditions for spring planting, ensuring our impact would extend beyond the six-week programme.

As the week progressed, we channeled our energy into creating lasting resources. We compiled our research, community feedback, and practical recommendations into a comprehensive final report, completing it by Friday. Simultaneously, we distilled our journey into a PowerPoint presentation that would tell the story of the "Ageing Well" programme and its legitimate impact. These resources will serve as practical guides for the staff at Les Jardins d’Haïti to continue developing the space as an intergenerational hub.

This week beautifully balanced physical work with intellectual synthesis, reminding me that effective leadership involves both doing and thinking. As we prepare for our final presentation, I feel proud of the concrete foundation we have helped build for this elderly care center.