Remember when you were young and so ambitious? Your family having high hopes and expectations about your future and all; I was no exception. Growing up, just like many of my kind, I wanted to be a doctor; a fairly bright girl, very good in Math and English especially.
It was just a matter of time before I joined Strathmore University (Read ‘Stressmore’), where my new normal began. I met extremely bright students, with accents, and outfits that I had only seen on TV or on select billboards, on select highways. The only thing that kept me sane were the lecturers who ably went about their business never bothering about their mother-tongue interference and their modest dress codes. Most of them at least.
The young men and women would often challenge professors with facts about E bay, Amazon, Deloitte, PwC or Tullow Oil. I could go on but my point is, the best I could do would be Safaricom and M-PESA; and if I were to stretch my prowess in the subject, maybe Vision 2030 or our tourist attraction sites. I was just a Kenyan girl and my business and thought process never went beyond Kenya. I had a lot of adjusting to do.
Did I mention I grew up in Kayole? Gang, ask any Kenyan about Kayole and they will struggle to find something good to say about it, save for pimped matatus(Although Umoja, Rongai and Buruburu overtook Kayole) and that Kayole is the estate that brings sheng to life. There is definitely many positive things about the place that I would want to bring up, but lets not diverge.
Regardless of the culture shock, I promised myself to make friends and learn:- Learn how they think, what their life is like, what I can borrow, and that has been my mantra; to take every opportunity to learn; not to look at myself as less privileged but someone with an opportunity to learn something new and to grow.
I successfully graduated Strathmore University in June 2019, made my parents proud: Trust me when I say they ate more chicken than I did.
I could confidently say that I’m a proud Strathmore University alumni, it set a great foundation for me. A fast paced, beautiful learning environment that set the bar high for us through instilling values, morals and the right mindset.
And now I start a new journey, not taking it for granted that I have this opportunity to be a market research fellow at Impact Africa Network. This space is a breath of fresh air, with amazing people enthusiastic about changing the African narrative.
The beauty of being at IAN is the chance of being part of the first cohort (cohort 4) to set the pace in the new era of Covid-19(This monster that has robbed us the beauty of hugs and handshakes).
Onboarding wasn’t the ordinary : All our interviews were conducted via Google Meet or Zoom. We were all inducted and oriented and got accustomed (still are) to the amazing culture at IAN without having any physical meeting. Interesting what technology has made possible.
It is a space that provides amazing opportunities for young, talented Africans to put their skills, abilities and talents into proper practice. It challenges you. Pushes you. Teaches you. Amazes you. Impacts you. This is not a space only for filing, dusting tables, or going to get office supplies, which is the sad reality for most of the young professionals in Kenya. (Please note that I intentionally left out the bit about preparing tea because cohort 4 fellows love cooking, all except Bochie)
This is a space that constantly encourages you to go big or go home, not as a threat but as an opportunity to blossom and be what Africa has been waiting for. An opportunity to think, create and grow.
Gang, wish me well. Wish me wisdom and rigor because everyone here is brilliant. I kid you not, thinkers and creators and owners are here. Because we are what Africa needs. And we are going to work, selflessly. Our current offices are on Zoom, that is what cohort 4 members say. I am an African girl and Africa is my business. I am Valentine Hokah. And this is my new normal.
Oh, and about being a doc, I am a qualified first aid cadet with St. John’s Ambulance. I tried. No?
