The Lifebox Global Team convenes for a dedicated wellness day.

In place of the usual all-team meeting centered on program updates and strategic priorities, the Lifebox global team changed gears for a Virtual Wellness Day, a session that offered a collective pause to focus inward. The event inspired reflection and practical action across three dimensions of wellbeing: physical, financial, and mental health, reminding everyone that behind every Lifebox project is a team whose wellbeing fuels the organization’s lifesaving work. 

“Caring for our staff’s well-being is central to our work,” said Cleopatra Mushanganiso, Lifebox Head of Human Resources. “Our Wellness Day reminds us that we can only deliver safer surgery and anesthesia for patients everywhere when we also nurture our own wellbeing.” 

Building financial resilience 

Genna Cooper and Lelah Gorgin from Nudge led an engaging session on financial well-being and resilience. They defined financial resilience as the ability to withstand financial shocks while maintaining confidence and control, a vital skill in today’s unpredictable world. 

Their presentation offered actionable tools: 

• • Set short, medium, and long-term goals. 
  • Create personalized budgets using the 50/30/20 rule or the jam-jar method. 
  • Build emergency funds for peace of mind. 
  • Manage debt through the debt avalanche or snowball methods. 
  • Begin retirement planning early, factoring in healthcare and inflation. 

“Financial well-being isn’t just about money; it’s about peace of mind and freedom,” said Cooper. “A big part of why we work at Nudge is to support as many people as possible with their financial wellbeing. Thank you for inviting us to join the Lifebox Wellness event. It was such a pleasure to support and to reach people we might not have before. We really enjoyed the other talks too!” added Cooper and Gorgin.

Prioritizing physical wellbeing 

Dr. Moyosore Makinde, Founder of Lifestyle Champions International Foundation, spoke about how our daily choices shape our long-term health. She explained that physical well-being is key to preventing chronic diseases and encouraged staff to see wellness as an ongoing lifestyle. Dr. Makinde emphasized that even small, steady changes like walking more, eating better, and getting enough sleep can build a healthy life. 

Nurturing mental resilience 

Closing the session, Akai Jackson, Founder of IXL, guided the team through reflections on mental well-being and mindset transformation. He spoke about cultivating resilience, self-awareness, and emotional balance, encouraging everyone to approach mental wellness as a daily practice. “The most powerful investment we can make is in our mindset. When we care for our mental health, everything else falls into place,” said Jackson. 

Voices from the Team 

Coffee ritual (Photo Credits: Senait)  

Senait Bitew, Chief Program Officer based in Ethiopia, shared her personal wellness moment. “What stood out to me from the Wellness Day is the reminder that wellness isn’t just about grand gestures, but it’s found in the small, intentional moments we create for our ourselves’’, she said. 

These images shows her daily morning ritual, a personal wellness practice. She prepares coffee in her favorite jebena pot, light incense for a calming aroma, and takes a moment to breathe and get ready for the day. 

Coffee and incense ritual (Photo Credits: Senait) 

“The smoke from the incense reminds me of Akai’s message about taking three intentional breaths: releasing tension, acknowledging feelings, and choosing how to respond. The way I arrange the coffee service reflects Dr. Makinde’s advice to eat mindfully and slow down. Taking time for this quiet ritual also aligns with Genna and Lelah’s guidance on finding what truly energizes us rather than what drains us.”

For Senait, wellness is a reminder that taking time to recharge is not selfish. It is essential to be present and engaged in daily life.  

“I had a wonderful time during the Wellness Day. What stood out the most was the financial management coaching and the physical fitness tips,” shared Paschal Simbota, Program Coordinator based in Malawi. “The financial management information highlighted the importance of saving in preparation for retirement, something we don’t often think about. On physical exercise, I have learned that walking can help keep fit without needing a big budget or gym membership.”

Teshager working out (Photo Credits: Teshager) 

Teshager Worku, NLSE Program Manager based in Ethiopia, reflected on how the session motivated immediate action. “The Wellness Day was a powerful reminder that helped me realize how neglecting exercise, healthy eating, and financial planning was quietly affecting my mental wellbeing,” said Teshager. “I was left inspired to act — scheduling time for workouts and diet management, and learning how even small (1% improvement), consistent steps in these areas can build the mental resilience needed for long-term success.” 

Margaret Mukuhi, Finance Officer based in Kenya, reflected on how the sessions spoke directly to her personal health and wellness journey. “The greatest takeaway for me was replacing what drains me with what fuels me, and learning proper coping mechanisms to prevent burnout. My family has a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, and the session on physical well-being really gave me a wake-up call because I had started neglecting my overall health. This reminder to eat better and take preventive steps was exactly what I needed.” 

Pottery activity (Photo Credits: Alissa Cecala) 

For Alissa Cecala, Individual Giving Manager based in the United States of America, the Wellness Day reminded her that she needs to do more to take care of herself. I “learned that protecting my peace is just as important as protecting my purpose, and that I should swap out things that drain me for things that give me energy. That means finding time to unplug from technology and get more active. My wellness activity following the event was going to the pottery studio, taking time away from my phone and computer, and working with my hands. I look forward to setting aside more time for creative activities, walks, yoga, and preparing fueling meals and snacks.” 

For Sedera Arimino, the Clean Cut Clinical Lead based in Madagascar, one message stood out: a simple phrase that captured the essence of resilience and self-compassion.  “I am struggling, but I am struggling well.” Her reflection showed the emotional honesty of the day. It recognized that wellness is not about perfection, but about making progress, being patient, and showing grace in life’s challenges. 

A culture of wellness in action 

The Wellness Day showcased a culture of wellness in action, building on the Lifebox Walking Challenge Initiative, a monthly team activity launched earlier this year to encourage regular physical activity and global connection. On the last weekend of each month, Lifebox team members from around the world join the End-of-Month 10 KM Walk/Run Challenge. Team members are invited to include their families, track their walks or runs, and share photos or screenshots to celebrate progress and inspire others. 

These initiatives, along with the launch of our Well-being Portal in May, a central hub developed by HR and IT for practical resources, shared experiences, and self-care inspiration, underscore Lifebox’s broader effort to foster a resilient workforce and a culture rooted in care, connection, and balance.