From airport drama to inbox storms: A year in Daisy's World

Almost inevitably, the impending end of the year often draws us to reflectively look back at the lapsing year. In the ideal world, the goal is usually to pick up all the lessons, and plant roses for those things that worked well. With this final article of the year, I’m pulling back the curtain on Daisy’s World to introduce the incredible people who breathe life into it. Spoiler alert: this one’s a love letter to the amazing team and you, my audience.

To start me off, my thanks are due to the Gender Editor at NMG, Dorcas Odumbe. She is the brain behind this column – she conceived it, and continues to nurture it as a much priced baby. Without her vision, there would never be a Daisy’s World. She reads through submitted raw versions of this column to ensure the tone and content are just right – think of her as the movie director of Daisy’s World. Dorcas works with a sub-editor and between the two of them, they craft eye-catching headlines for each edition, and ensure the column is published online on schedule.

Social media

There is also the graphics person – the guy behind the colours and images and the placement of the column on the page – his assignment is to make the column pop on the paper. Additionally, a big shout out to the social media producer who ensures the column gets as close as possible to your social media feed.

I owe a massive debt of gratitude to my close friends and family, who have been—at times willing, sometimes reluctant, but mostly unsuspecting—contributors to this column. Despite knowing that our phone conversations, lunch dates, and WhatsApp exchanges might occasionally find their way into Daisy’s World, they’ve stuck by me. Not only that, they’ve embraced their roles as unintentional stars of the column.

Beyond shaping my life through these interactions, my friends have also been invaluable sounding boards. They’ve generously opened up their worlds, shared their perspectives, and challenged my assumptions. Without such candid exchanges, the risk of settling into stale viewpoints is all too real. Their fresh insights often spark new ideas or help refine existing ones.

Source of inspiration

They’ve also served as my first readers, offering feedback that sharpens the final piece. Writing a life column means laying parts of yourself bare, so having their discerning eyes is a safeguard against blind spots. Their input is especially crucial when tackling delicate subjects, like my recent column on paedophilia. For pieces like that, they act as my initial audience, offering comments such as, “That’s too descriptive—you don’t want anyone visualising this part of your life.” Their thoughtful advice ensures the tone is appropriate without losing the message’s impact.

My deepest gratitude, however, goes to you — my audience. Thank you for the detailed and heartfelt feedback you often share after reading articles that strike a chord with you. Your thoughtful responses are a constant source of inspiration, fuelling my drive to keep writing!

And then there’s the unexpected audience that never fails to surprise me. Take June this year, for example, when I made my first trip to Uganda. That week, I wrote about being delayed at Entebbe Airport. Oh, the reactions! Ugandans came out in droves to defend their airport, flooding my inbox with messages about everything from hospitality to home training. Some even speculated that I was a white woman on a high horse out to criticise Africa! The comments poured in on social media too, especially on Facebook. I was both amused and humbled—it had never occurred to me that so many Ugandans read this column!

Weekly column

One of my friends, concerned by the heated reactions, gently suggested I avoid reading the social media comments, knowing how sensitive I can be to words. But I laughed and reassured her—I’ve seen worse in my inbox! This is just part of the thrilling, and occasionally daunting, reality of writing a weekly column. Over the past two years, I’ve come to appreciate that just as I have the freedom to share my views, my readers have the same right to express theirs. It’s a dynamic that keeps the conversation alive and meaningful.

Here’s to 2025—year three of Daisy’s World! I look forward to deeper connections, richer conversations, and celebrating new milestones together. Let’s make it unforgettable!

The writer is the Research & Impact Editor, NMG,  [email protected]