My Story

My journey into the international development field began in 2019 when I joined Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) as a volunteer through the International Citizenship Service (ICS) programme. As a volunteer, I spent three months in Nandi County, rural Kenya, far from home and immersed in a completely new environment. While the experience was initially daunting, it became a turning point in my life. Working closely with marginalized groups, particularly people with disabilities, I witnessed firsthand how limited access to information, resources, and opportunities constrained people's ability to improve their livelihoods and build resilience. When my volunteer placement ended, I realized that my journey was only just beginning. I was selected as a Global Climate Champion with VSO, where I underwent intensive training on climate science, climate justice, and climate action. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the interconnected challenges facing communities around the world and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. As part of a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded initiative implemented through VSO, as climate champions, we were tasked with identifying pressing challenges affecting our communities and developing locally driven solutions. At the time, Kenya was experiencing one of its worst droughts in decades. Consecutive failed rainy seasons had left millions facing food insecurity, particularly in the country's arid and semi-arid regions. Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, we developed a community-led initiative aimed at strengthening food security by promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and empowering communities to adapt to the changing climate. This experience introduced me to agroecology as a practical and transformative solution. What inspired me most about agroecology was that it was not simply about farming techniques; it was about working with nature rather than against it. It values local knowledge, strengthens communities, restores ecosystems, and empowers people to produce food sustainably while enhancing their resilience to climate shocks. Our proposal received £2,500 in funding, and I was privileged to lead the implementation of the project. Working alongside young people, local stakeholders, government representatives, and community groups, I coordinated activities across several target counties. Together, we organized community trainings, stakeholder forums, sensitization campaigns, radio programmes, webinars, and social media campaigns that reached more than 100,000 people with information on climate adaptation, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices. One of the achievements I am most proud of was training 130 community members; primarily women and people with disabilities in agroecological farming practices. In collaboration with the Nandi County Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, we equipped the community with knowledge and skills in organic soil management, crop diversification, and the cultivation of resilient crops. My advocacy work has extended to regional and global platforms. I represented VSO and Kenyan youth volunteers at Africa Climate Week, where I presented youth priorities, solutions, and key demands to African leaders ahead of COP26. I also spoke at COP26 virtual events, advocating for meaningful youth participation in climate policy and decision-making processes. I have also participated in the First Africa Youth Summit on Food Systems in Nairobi, and the First Thousand African Youth Summit on Food Systems and Agroecology in Ethiopia in 2024. These experiences reinforced my belief that young people should not only be consulted but actively engaged as leaders and partners in shaping climate solutions. As my understanding of agroecology deepened, I became increasingly aware of the critical role that knowledge plays in driving change. During my master’s degree at the University of Leeds, this interest informed my research focus on agroecology and contributed to the growing body of knowledge in the field. My research examined the role of rural youth in driving the transition to agroecology in Kenya, exploring the opportunities, challenges, and support systems required to enable young people to adopt agroecological practices and contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems. Today, my work continues to be grounded in the belief that knowledge is power. Whether through research, advocacy, training, or community engagement, I strive to bridge knowledge gaps and empower communities with the tools, skills, and confidence they need to build resilience in the face of growing challenges, including climate change and food insecurity.

Contact

I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.

info@mysite.com