Please can you tell us about your career after completing your undergraduate degree? How has your career evolved over the years?
I studied for a BSc in Biomedical Science at Daystar University in Kenya, where I successfully graduated in 2022.
The journey immediately after completing this degree was not an easy one, especially trying to navigate the corporate world to secure employment opportunities. I’m forever grateful to my unwavering support system that firmly held me at a time when I had sunk into depression and was constantly in a state of hopelessness. Despite this, I continued volunteering in the University’s clubs and organisations such as Lukenya Pillars of Transformation (LPT) in Athi River, Kenya and Public Health Beyond Borders club (PHBB) that I had previously joined while an undergraduate.
I was the Vice-Chair Lady and Secretary respectively, in these organisations. I led community health initiatives in areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, providing hygiene education and sanitary products such as water filters to underprivileged partner communities like Kinanie, as well as sexual and menstrual health education to adolescents in schools, and organising blood donation campaigns by the Rotary Club of Stoni Athi at Daystar University.
In March 2023, I moved back to my home village in Bungoma County in Kenya as I was struggling to sustain my daily life expenses as I didn’t have a salaried job. While at home, I was still actively looking out for job opportunities. After a two-month search, I got an opportunity to work with Professor Agnes Lucy Lando from Daystar University as a Research Assistant. My core responsibility was to assist in data collection and perform research administrative assistant duties as assigned by my Principal Investigator. This research sparked my interest in the public healthcare needs of children with disabilities.
Later in October 2023, my involvement in the county’s initiatives for youth development such as the Ajiry Training Programme, created an opportunity for me to represent the women and girls in Bungoma County as a panellist during the International Day of the Girl Child commemoration on key areas on the Triple Threat (Gender-Based Violence, HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancies) which are prevalent in the Western Region of Kenya.
Following this, in late November 2023, I got an opportunity to work as a Research Assistant at Bungoma Health Link Forum (BHLF). I collected primary data on a study that sought to assess the prevalence of mental illnesses in the county. After the completion of this research project, I sought the opportunity to volunteer in the newly established clubhouse, BHLF, as a social practitioner. I helped to support adults living with serious persistent mental illnesses, such as depression, in their recovery journeys. I engaged them in psychosocial activities that not only boosted their mental health performance but also made them feel loved, appreciated, and found ways to re-integrate them back into society. Working with colleagues, I also helped to create awareness in the community about mental health to break the stigma and promote wellness.
My career path after undergraduate training, majorly involved a series of volunteer experiences in public health initiatives that not only shed light to my purpose but also had a great impact on the lives of those I served.
Why did you decide that now is the right time to complete a Master’s degree? Did anything in particular influence your decision to return to higher education?
My decision to pursue a Master’s degree came out of a need that I consistently spotted during my volunteer experiences while undertaking community health initiatives. The more I got involved, the more I realised the impact of public health services and programmes on the overall health of a population. Importantly, My family members and close friend, Esther Naini helped in aligning and shaping my career vision. My love for people also played a major role. I got a deep fulfilment in working with individuals directly and seeing the impact my service had on humanity. My background in Biomedical Science also laid a good foundation in understanding the deep root causes of these critical public health issues.
I sorted an opportunity to build on critical management and public health skills to carry out health initiatives effectively and strategically. Hence, the need to pursue a Master’s in Global Health Management. Not just as further or higher education but as a basic requirement. I realised that for me to pursue my purpose on earth and give back to the community, I required specific and critical knowledge and skills that would help me make this world a better and healthier place for us all. Through a consistent academic mentorship and engagement with Dr Monica N. Opiyo, I got the firm conviction of what I wanted to do.
This realisation led me to pursue a Master’s scholarship programme, the Chevening Scholarship.
How has the transition been so far, getting back into the swing of higher education?
I have had a smooth transition into this advanced education system and multi-culture. This is courtesy of the structures and extensive support the university has put in place. The International Support Tutor who helps you navigate the broad diverse cultures, as well as the Academic Support Team and training that is designed to equip you with the basic skills in areas of need such as writing skills, literature search and library support. I’m extremely moved by the accessibility of inclusive mental health support and wellbeing services where I can seek help when experiencing any difficulties. This gives me an assurance of safety and hope when navigating through the rough terrains of my Master’s programme.
How are you finding balancing study with personal commitments?
As an international student, I’m juggling enjoying life through friendships, travel, and adventure opportunities, as well as the academic side. With that, I believe finding a balance is a daily commitment and obligation. There are days when I am not good at it and days when I am doing great. What has consistently helped me is prioritising goals, setting daily and weekly objectives, and daily journaling my experiences. This has allowed me make reflections on my progress and appreciate my efforts. Similarly, I am constantly reminding myself to “keep the main thing, the main thing” a famous phrase by Stephen Covey.
How will this Master’s degree help your personal development, and/or your career development?
Health is indeed complex and global. This training will therefore build and strengthen my capacity to address the root causes of health inequalities and inequities that are present in our health systems and communities, with a goal of improving the global health outcome. Moreover, I will gain the critical health management perspectives for tackling the negative globalisation effects on health. I look forward to honing my skills to contribute to the global effort towards the attainment of SDG3 of good health and wellbeing.
As an international course with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, I’m excited to learn the different broad perspectives of my colleagues, consequently enriching my knowledge and honing my networking skills.
In what way(s) does your subject impact people's everyday lives?
As a Global Health Manager, I will participate in the decision-making processes of health that will impact people’s lives. For example, identifying health priorities and shaping health policies that will promote health equity in communities.
I will be able to tackle contemporary issues in global health such as pandemics or epidemics caused by emerging/re-emerging infections, through offering effective management approaches. For example, in the case of COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, I will be fully equipped to identify health system gaps and offer management solutions that will promote accessibility and enhance quality health service delivery for every individual and community without discrimination.
What has been/what do you think will be the most challenging aspect of completing a Master's degree? What aspect are you most looking forward to, or are you most enjoying?
I think time management is/will be the most challenging aspect during this one-year academic journey. This is because a Master’s degree requires in-depth research and understanding of the different concepts. The formative and summative assessments have been designed to test your understanding of the modules. Therefore, failure to properly allocate and management your time, might pose a great threat to your academic success.
At the moment, I am really enjoying the seminar discussions. They are so engaging, informative and build your confidence. I am learning a lot from the different stories and perspectives shared by my classmates on specific health challenges.
What was it about the University of Greenwich that convinced you this was the place to study for you?
Firstly, the availability of this specific course that provides an additional module on management. This is what initially fuelled my desire to make an application. This comes from understanding how critical management is in the success of global health. Secondly, the university provides a student-friendly environment where I will be able to thrive and survive as an international student. Its policies on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion offer safety and a favourable chance for all students to achieve their full potential. Thirdly, my course leader, Dr Amal Elamin, also fuelled my desire to study at Greenwich. It is quite noble to be taught by a woman leader who has dared to break through the present gender disparity barriers. Her recent notable achievement in completing the Aurora-Advance Higher Education Leadership Programme is inspiring. This motivates me as a woman aspiring to lead global health, especially coming from a society where leadership positions are predominantly led by men. Indeed, just like disability, gender is not an inability.
Have you received a bursary or grant from the university? If so, please could you tell us more about it and how it has supported you?
I haven’t received any specific bursary from the university. However, I am currently a proud beneficiary of a Chevening Scholarship, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The aim of this scholarship is to offer education and networking opportunities to potential leaders around the world who will transform their nations and create long-lasting impact.
Having been awarded the Chevening Scholarship, I hope that I am able to inspire students in my country, Kenya, to make applications to programmes in the UK.
My journey has been a labour of love defined by self-discovery, dedication to serving others and shaped by the tireless experiences, revealing the truth of who I am. With these, I am forever grateful to the Almighty God.
Thank you so much for voicing my story and giving me a chance to inspire many.
Find out more about Global Health Management and how to apply here.
