Voluntary service
I have always viewed voluntary service as an embodiment of commendable service. Right from my high school years, I have ever wanted to participate in voluntary service. These are the moments when you realize that it’s all about the society and the change you have to offer. Besides my earlier voluntary services, I took part in an official one in grade 10 at the Kenya National Archive, where I was assigned to work under the Research Department. We were to arrange box file reports recorded from the mid-20th Century. I was tasked with doing essential database management. It was quite a memorable fortnight experience.
The following year, I took part in another voluntary service program at the Senate for two weeks. We worked in different departments within the Senate and National Assembly. We also did various types of duties as we shifted from one department to the other. It was an incredible experience and a fantastic journey. Moving forward, my interest in voluntary activities never ceased. I had the opportunity of organizing voluntary services as a house captain under the school’s directives. We would aim at giving back to any institution in the best way we could. I organized a couple of voluntary service programs in a children’s home and an elderly home. Aside from that, we, as the captains in the school, decided to do a clean-up along the streets hence offering service to the neighboring locality. Even after high school, I was willing to carry on with voluntary service at any chance I got. A month after graduating from high school, I joined a social advocacy program coordinated by AMREF. It is aimed at creating attention to sensitive issues while pushing policies that will enact positive change. We did these mainly through creating impressions on social media platforms such as Twitter and various websites. In a matter of months, we had addressed some pressing issues such as gender equality, cyberbullying, myths and truths behind COVID-19, initiatives to be taken amidst the pandemic and challenges girls are facing during the pandemic. I am currently still participating in the program since we are all working from home.
With the pandemic at hand, I was introduced to CoronaNet Research Project, (an internationally recognized body by W.H.O)whereby people volunteer to work as Research Assistants after passing their online training course. This body is involved in collecting policy updates from every country in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am currently in charge of managing and recording policy updates from the government of South Africa, which has granted me exposure and immense work experience. All these opportunities have helped me to be responsible and accountable. Their effect on my character is invaluable, and I am grateful for that. As a scholarship recipient with my Applied Computer Technology degree at hand, I am looking forward to developing my entrepreneurial journey in modern society while incorporating tech systems. I will use this opportunity to carve out the mindset of one willing to be the change not only in my country or Africa but also in the world.