As I look back on my initial week at APSOCECAT and FESCOE, the experience has been nothing short of transformative. Landing in Barcelona, I embarked on a journey to apply my expertise in creative technologies and coordinate a fundraising project for a cause so noble and yet so niche: the upliftment of individuals afflicted by deafblindness.

From day one, the bulk of my time was spent immersing myself in the heart of the organization. I was to understand its roots, its mission, its success stories and the diverse facets that collectively make APSOCECAT and FESCOE what they are today. Shadowing multiple roles within the organization not only gave me a holistic perspective but also fostered a deep sense of respect for the relentless work put in by every member to maintain the well-being and equal opportunities for people with deafblindness.

In the first week, a sizable part of my work revolved around conducting an extensive audit of the organization's brand and marketing. The tasks ranged from formulating an effective social media strategy to optimizing the website's layout for mobile users. At first, this shift from broad impact initiatives to what seemed like intricate tasks posed a challenge. I felt a sense of disconnect from the primary goal of impacting lives, almost as if I were pushing buttons behind a screen with no real-world consequence.

However, as I delved deeper, I began to realize that every little task, however seemingly insignificant, knits into the larger narrative. It's a collective effort to uphold the organization's vision. Frankly, this is a perspective I continue to try to understand and intend to grapple with over the next weeks.

I also steered my focus towards conceptualizing fundraising initiatives. From thinking about ideas for social media challenge campaigns to setting up art sales, there was an array of ideas that came to the fore. We landed on selling candy canes (which match the color of the canes of the deafblind community). Listening over the conversations that took place in the office (despite my severe lack of Spanish vocabulary and understanding of the language) was a testament to the potential that lies in innovation and creativity when coupled with leadership.

On a personal note, living in a shared space with 8-14 individuals in my hostel, each one a world apart, has been an adventure (and challenge) in itself. Embracing diverse cultures, lifestyles and accommodating divergent schedules has refined my perception of unity in diversity. The underlying respect, harmony and willingness to learn from one another is something that I realized must permeate not just within the hostel but extends into my work environment as well. This has not only been smooth sailing as you might expect when living in such an environment. But it is these living conditions where I hope to foster resilience, understanding, patience, and positivity. 

More so, engaging with the organization has been an enlightening experience, the stark differences in lifestyle and work culture have broadened my horizons. Witnessing the late-night dinners, siestas and the overall Spanish way of life highlighted the importance of staying open-minded in unfamiliar territories.

All these experiences have crystallized the lessons of my first week in leadership. I've seen firsthand how effective leadership is as much about guiding others as it is about understanding oneself. This initial phase has exposed my strengths and areas I need to work on, such as being patient and open-minded in an unfamiliar cultural landscape.

Moving forward, I want to focus more on my fundraising initiatives. Furthermore, I aim to maintain a balance between the behind-the-scenes work and staying connected with the on-ground reality of our work, a key to staying motivated and inspired.

In retrospect, this first week has been a period of introspection and learning. I've realized that effective leadership extends beyond driving outcomes; it's about shaping perspectives, fostering resilience, embracing diversity, and above all, leading with a heart.