The Encounter: An Intern’s story

The Encounter: An Intern’s story

As she lay in bed that Sunday evening, preoccupied with thoughts on what the future held for her after graduation, she got distracted by the beeping sound of her phone. She reluctantly picked it up to find out who was bugging her at that moment. Her attention was caught by the words 2021 Next Generation Internship Programme: Call for Applications (January – June 2021).” She carefully read through the message, paying much attention to the eligibility criteria. Her attention was drawn to the ‘skills’ required to be eligible to take part in the programme 

Like a tsunami, it hit her hard. That phrase she was hoping she would not find; Minimum of a first degree in International Affairs, political science, public policy, law, developmental studies or related fields.  

Knowing that she did not have a degree in any of the above-listed areas of specialisation, she tried very hard in her mind to classify her B.Sc. in Chemistry under “related fields”, forcing it to sound like social science. This call seemed to be a no-go zone for her. She told herself this was not meant for her, dropped her phone on her bed and dozed off. 

Waking up the following morning with the thought evading her mind, she asked herself one question; “What do I have to lose? Either of two things would happen. I would get selected, or I would get rejected.” This was her driving force. One she would encourage every job seeker to adopt. This spurred her to develop the enthusiasm to drop an application for this opportunity. 

Day after day she collated all the required information until she was sure her application was ready for submission. Little did she know that this was the beginning of an outstanding journey for her.  

Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets as she read through the acceptance letter from WACSI on 16 December 2020. There it was! The life-changing opportunity.

As she walked into the WACSI building that bright morning of 18 January 2020, a galaxy of thoughts rushed through her mind. She wondered if she belonged there. The myriad of thoughts was immediately wiped off by the aura of love showered on her as the staff welcomed her. “I would definitely love this place” she whispered to herself. 

One month into the internship and she began to feel like a walking encyclopedia. The environment made acclimatisation relatively easy for her. Surrounded by energetic facilitators, she was taken through a series of mind-blowing training. The session on leadership taught her that leadership requires focus, confidence, resilience, stress and time management skills.  

Through the proposal writing session, she understood the need for friend-raising before fundraising. The financial management session provided her with a better understanding of preparing and analysing budgets.  

As an individual with a low confidence level, the training and facilitation skills session guided her through boosting her self-confidence. It equipped her with the skills needed to become an excellent facilitator. She learned different facilitation approaches to ensure full participant engagement. Summarily, the session empowered her with the skills needed to become an excellent facilitator.   

In a world that has been struck by the COVID 19 pandemic, virtual sessions and the use of tech tools are now in vogue. The ability to be a good facilitator has now become a prerequisite to propelling change. 

Her few months in the internship have been overwhelmingly fulfilling. Research has become a lot less frustrating as she is now actively engaged in conducting research. Her research skills were harnessed through a session on research methodology. All these and many other sessions have guided her through her mindset and career transformation process. Not forgetting the “morning café’ (breakfast meeting) she had with one of the facilitators who instilled in her values she could not have gotten through training sessions. 

As the days go by, she continues to metamorphose into the best version of herself, being pushed to discover talents she never knew she had. It is amazing how fast one can be transformed within a very short period when surrounded by the right people. 

Through this internship, she has encountered amazing people she never imagined she would have met. Taking into consideration the fact that your network is your net worth, she is gradually building up her net worth by creating the right network through the Next Generation Internship Programme 

As she anticipates the person she would become by the end of the programme, she is filled with so much excitement. One of her greatest lessons learnt is the fact that nothing can stop you from doing what you really want to do. Neither a degree in chemistry nor a lack of experience prevented her from seizing this fruitful opportunity. She hereby encourages youths, most especially girls to apply for this internship as it is a lifetime opportunity. 

NB: The author, Mabel Lum, developed this article after participating in a session on writing blogs. This is a module within the skills-building component of the programme. 

 

About the author

Mabel is a bilingual Cameroonian and holder of a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Buea. She is currently awaiting defense for her master's degree in Quality Control and Management. She has gained experience over the years as a volunteer and has worked in some local Non-Governmental Organisations in the domain of community development. She is passionate about empowering young girls.

At WACSI, she works with the Capacity Development unit as the Programme Assistant where she provides support in the facilitation of training sessions.

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Shu Mabel Lum

Mabel is a bilingual Cameroonian and holder of a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Buea. She is currently awaiting defense for her master's degree in Quality Control and Management. She has gained experience over the years as a volunteer and has worked in some local Non-Governmental Organisations in the domain of community development. She is passionate about empowering young girls. At WACSI, she works with the Capacity Development unit as the Programme Assistant where she provides support in the facilitation of training sessions.

4 Comments

  1. KENFACK NADJEUD ELMAS

    Says March 31, 2021 at 7:38 pm

    Is love it, exactly what i needed to make things move. Just like her i will try my chance when ever i have the opportunity. Really a great article

  2. Dr Martin Adarkwah-Yiadom

    Says April 01, 2021 at 8:55 am

    This is very impressive. I encourage her to build on what she has acquired and be the best she can. The sky is her limit. Thanks WACSI for empowering Mabel to this height.

  3. Franck

    Says April 03, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Inspiring piece! Well articulated and reader-friendly. Great talent @Mabel.
    Keep it up and all the best in your career journey!

  4. Fiona Amoabil

    Says August 10, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    This is insightful! I loved it. Keep it up.

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FIIFI BOATENG

Fiifi is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Communications and Information Officer at the West Africa Civil Society Institute. He joined the Institute in December 2020.

NANCY KANKAM KUSI

Nancy is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Programme Officer in the Knowledge Management unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute. She joined the Institute in January 2021.

AGNES ADWOA ANIMA

Agnes is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Head of the Administration unit in the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in October 2021.

DORIS ODEI

Doris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social sciences (Economics and Sociology) from the University of Cape Coast. She is passionate about impacting young lives hence co-founded Impart Foundation. A non-profit organization which seeks to empower young lives through education, technology and entrepreneurship.

PRINCE AKOWUAH

Prince Akowuah is a Ghanaian and currently the Programme Assistant in the Translation Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

MAXWELL APENTENG

Maxwell Apenteng is a Ghanaian and joined WACSI in September 2010. He provides gardening and janitorial services at the Institute.

GEORGE ADU-MINTAH

George Adu-Mintah is a Ghanaian and currently the Protocol Assistant/Driver at the West Africa Civil Society (WACSI). He joined the Institute in October 2006.

IBRAHIM KWAKU GBADAGO

Ibrahim Kwaku Gbadago is a Ghanaian. He joined the Institute in 2008 and provides janitorial services and assisting the institute's errands. Before joining the Institute, he worked at the Palestinian embassy in Accra, Ghana.

RUTH YAKANA

Ruth Yakana is from Cameroon and currently the Receptionist at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

BETHEL KWAME BOATENG

Bethel is a Ghanaian. He provides technical and IT related support to the Institute. He joined the Institute in October 2006.

WHITNAY SEGNONNA

Whitnay Segnonna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Management from the University of Benin. With 2 years of experience, she has a strong knowledge of organizational and project management. Combined with her bilingualism, she is very passionate about her work. She joined WACSI as Project Assistant on Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Capacity Development Unit.

STELLA YAWA WOWOUI

Stella Yawa Wowoui holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Translation Studies. She has a perfect grasp of both French and English, as well as an intermediate level in Spanish. She is currently working as a Project Assistant on the Techsoup Project.

KWAME ASANTE

Kwame is an experienced IT Consultant/Software Developer. He is skilled in Web Applications Development, Digital Security, Database Management, Digital Marketing and Brand Management. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and is a Microsoft Programme Alumni. He is currently serving as a Marketing and IT Officer on the Techsoup Project.

GRACE AKPENE ZIGGAH

Grace Akpene Ziggah is a Togolese and currently the Logistics Officer and also assists in administration duties at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in June 2009.

LILLIAN DAFEAMEKPOR

Lilian Dafeamekpor is a Ghanaian and currently the Assistant to the Executive Director at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

JOHN P. FRINJUAH

John P. Frinjuah has expertise and interests in civil society, international development, democracy and governance, conflict, crisis, and security. He has extensive experience working with civil society and international development organizations where he supported and managed research, programmes, and provided technical assistance on a variety of themes around public policy, governance, and development. He is an alumnus of the University of Ghana and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy - Tufts University in the United States, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from two institutions respectively. John speaks English, French and several Ghanaian and regional West Africa languages.

GERVIN CHANASE

Gervin has extensive international development experience, including 5 years of policy advocacy and capacity building of grass root organisations. He has implemented over the years a combination of agriculture value chain, livelihood, food security and governance and rights programmes.
Prior to joining WACSI, Gervin worked on two USAID projects focusing on agriculture value chain development and governance in northern Ghana
Gervin holds a master’s degree in development & Governance from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany as well as a Masters in Global Studies from the Universities of Vienna (Austria), Leipzig (Germany) and California (Santa Barbara), USA. He is passionate social justice and inclusion.

LEANDRE BANON

Leandre Banon, Beninese, joined WACSI in September 2014 as Capacity Development Programme Assistant. Since then, he has worked in various units within the Institute to support operational and institutional capacity strengthening programmes for civil society in the region. Currently serving as Capacity Development Programme Officer at WACSI, his main responsibilities involve designing, planning, implementing and monitoring capacity development programmes for civil society constituents and grouping across the West Africa. Leandre is a certified Change the Game Academy Programme Trainer. His background lies in the areas of economics and development planning.

SAMUEL APPIAH

Samuel Appiah is a Ghanaian and currently the Programme Officer in the Finance and Administrative Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He joined the Institute in May, 2016.

JIMM CHICK FOMUNJONG

Jimm Chick Fomunjong, Cameroonian, joined WACSI in May 2018 as the Head of the Knowledge Management and Communication Units of the Institute. He has over ten years’ experience as a journalist and a development communications expert. He has a vast experience in supporting African organisations to strengthen their internal and external communications, building and sustaining relationships with the media and, leveraging on the power of social media to promote their mission. He is also excellent at supporting organisations to set up and operationalise functional communications and knowledge management systems. He has a deep passion and expertise in supporting Africans and African civil society organisations to document their praxis, share and learn from experiences documented from the African civil society sector.

FRANCK A. SOMBO

Franck Sombo is a development practitioner with the drive to lead self and others to influence productivity and efficiency. His work involves supporting organisations to develop strategic plans, design monitoring and evaluation systems, develop and use relevant performance measurement tools to track progress, assess organizational growth and institutionalise learning. Franck has eight years of experience working with WACSI where he currently serves as the Head, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. His academic qualifications include Masters in Organisations’ and Projects’ Management, and in Business Sciences and a High National Diploma in Finance and Accounting.

Franck is a Fellow of the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) and a graduate of the Graduate Training Institute (GTI) - Ghana with specialization in Strategic Management and Corporate Leadership. He has a rich experience in Project Management, Capacity Development, Strategic planning, Data Analytics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Training and Facilitation, Mentoring and Coaching among others.

OMOLARA T. BALOGUN

Omolara is a development practitioner and advocacy strategist with over 15 years of progressive experience in development programming targeted at strengthening civil society in West Africa.

She joined WACSI in November 2009 as a Regional Advocacy Consultant and later became the first Policy Advocacy Officer of the Institute in 2010.

She was promoted to Head of the Policy Influencing and Advocacy (PIA) Unit in 2015. As the Head of the PIA unit, Omolara offers strategic direction to the Institutes’ ambitions to connect and convene groups of organised and organic civil society actors; and influence regional and global discourses on crosscutting policy issues including—civil society regulations, sustainable development goals, civic space and enabling environment, aid effectiveness, gender equality, and civil society accountability.

Previously, Omolara served as a Programmes Associate with the Women in Peace and Security Network-Africa (WIPSEN-Africa), where she worked with her team to design and implement pan-African programmes on—multidimensional peace support operations and gender mainstreaming in security sector reform in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

She also served as a Service Development Marshal at TVQ Consulting Group, a customer service firm focused on designing strategic customer relationship and business growth plans for private and public financial institutions in Nigeria.

Omolara is a social justice advocate, a network weaver, and a convener. She has a postgraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Studies; a degree in International Relations and History, from the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria respectively.

She also holds executive certificates in Behavioral Science in Public Policy from Harvard University Executive Education in Cambridge and in Citizen Advocacy from the Coady International Institute, St Francis Xavier University in Canada.

KWABENA KRODUAH

Kwabena Kroduah is a Ghanaian and currently heads the Finance Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He joined the Institute in January 2008.

CHARLES KOJO VANDYCK

Charles currently serves as the Head of the Capacity Development Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). Charles has over 10 years of experience working in international development and social justice issues in Africa. Charles has expertise in strengthening civil society and public agencies including the design and implementation of governance and leadership programmes, development of knowledge pieces and policy advice. Charles was the founding Board Chair of Innovation for Change (i4C)-Hub Afrique, as well as the founding member of the International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon), an initiative of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC. Charles currently serves as the Member of the Governing Board (Coordination Collective) of Africans Rising. He is a Member of the Development Studies Association, United Kingdom. Charles is a 2017 Stanford University Fellow for Nonprofit Leaders and a certified Change the Game Resource Mobilisation Trainer.

NANA ASANTEWA AFADZINU

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