What's your tribe like? The value of support networks in a global world

Have you ever heard the African proverb that says, "It takes a village to raise a child" ? It's a powerful idea that speaks to us of community, mutual support, and strong networks, and it contains the very origin of civilization. For centuries, life unfolded in a stable environment: people were born, grew up, and built their lives in the same place, surrounded by their family, their neighbors—in short, their tribe.

When a child was born, the support network was immediate. Grandparents, uncles and aunts, lifelong friends… all were part of this emotional and logistical cocoon that supported families. And since women have entered the workforce, this network has become more necessary than ever.

Today, however, this concept of tribe has become the exception.

We live in the age of mobility. Journeys that once lasted months now take only a few hours. We can live, study, and work in places with languages, climates, and customs very different from our own. This freedom comes at a price: physical distance from our origins.

More and more people are leaving their city or country for professional or personal reasons, and settling in new environments where, little by little, they try to build a home.

Build a new tribe

In these new surroundings, the natural need arises to rebuild this support network. Our blood relatives are no longer close, and little by little we replace them with a chosen tribe: work colleagues, neighbors, leisure companions… New bonds are thus created and become our daily support.

Individuals who grow up in these diverse environments develop a rich and hybrid identity, the result of a blend of family heritage and host culture. They are a reflection of a world without borders.

Despite digital tools that bring us closer to our loved ones, the need for a physical and present community remains fundamental. The ability to ask for help, to create connections, and to build a new tribe where we are has become an essential skill.

And you, what's your tribe like?

Do you still live in your place of origin, near your blood tribe? Or did you have to build yours from scratch in a new place?