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Of AIESEC JKUAT, today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders. JAN-APRIL 2014
EXECUTIVE BOARD (14/15) MEET THIS YEARS’ LEADERSHIP TEAM
WHAT’S OUR
SECRET ? WITH 3 MEMBERS OF OUR ALUMNI NOW JOINING NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN KENYA AND TANZANIA, JKUAT MUST BE ONTO SOMETHING!
Fierce First HOW A SIMPLE GIRL, SUZANNE KANYUGA, BECAME AIESEC JKUAT’S FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT
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Editor’s Note Hey guys! So, the theme of this first magazine is ’Epic Firsts’. Pretty predictable and fittingly so. Apart from the fact that it is the first of it’s kind in AIESEC JKUAT, it is also a first for me in my EB term and contains loads of ’firsts’ in the content as you will see. I am honoured to have been in this position of capturing the life and beauty of AIESEC in JKUAT, we may not have as long a history as most but for sure we make history with the little and lottle (little but a lot) of every single day… These pages contain a little of that lottle, I hope you enjoy the read. A big thank you to everyone that has made this Epic First issue possible, from those who contributed to those who are part of the story of AIESEC JKUAT. A special mention to my Communications team this semester, Ethel, Betty, Irene, Jonny, Florah and Josephine, this magazine is a result of our plotting and planning from the moment this year set in! I hope these epic firsts inspire you all to make some of your own. I also hope that the journey began with this step is the first of many more to come.
Kathleen Siminyu, Vice President(14/15), Communication and Information Management.
jkuat.aiesec.or.ke AIESEC Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology aiesec_jkuat aiesec_jkuat
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Cover story 14-19 Suzy’s journey to presidency
Meet the Executive Board (14/15)
ALUMNI STORIES
4 President : Suzanne Kanyuga
8-9 Wincate Muthini
5 Finance & Alumni Relations : Natalie
22-23 Mercy Murithi
10 Outgoing Exchange : Philip
28-29 Ronny Mutua
11 Incoming Exchange : Bryan 20 Talent Management : Wambui 21 Communication and Info Management : Kathleen 26 Global Internship Programs :
conferences 6-7 National Conference organised by AIESEC JKUAT
Suzanne Mugo 27 Expansions : Richard
Partner Exchange Stories 30-31 Long Di, from China, on her adventures in Kenya
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
Organisations 12-13 Youth Banner
24-25 AHI (An Honest Intention)
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
the President Fav colour Blue Fav aiesec moment to date When we bacame a full LC What has aiesec done for you? Enabled me to challenge myself and explore my leadership potential What do you plan to achieve within your new term To make AIESEC the first choice for JKUAT students in terms of exchange and leadership
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
VP Finance & Alumni Relations Fav colour Can’t pick one so black, pink and yellow Fav aiesec moment to date My favourite AIESEC moment has to have been Election Conference 2013 What has aiesec done for you? Opened me up to new experiences and challenges I didn’t think I would ever have. It has also made me outgoing, I am such an introvert. What do you plan to achieve within your new term My ultimate goal is to maintain our full membership status because without that, the rest of our
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CONFERENCES
National Conference ‘14
The National Conference Organising Committee from JKUAT Natconf is the largest national Kenyan conference involving all 12 Local Committeess to elect the Member Committee (MC) executive board (National Leadership) and plan the national AIESEC calendar. It took please from the 30th of January to the 2nd of January at Eldorado resort in Nakuru. 6 members of our own Jkuat LC were chosen to be in the Organising Committee. Steve Chege – President
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
Ethel Awino – Delegate Servicing Brian Mulu – Corporate Relations Kathleen Siminyu – Sights and Logistics Ken Kimani – Communication June Murage – Finance Seeing as it was also the first time JKUAT had been chosen as the hosting LC, this was a very big achievement for us. For the short number of days that we were there it was challenging, insightful and illuminating for all.
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CONFERENCES
There were 10 applicants for the National Team and after reviews and careful consideration only 5 made it to MC. Our very own Wincate Muthini was chosen as MCVP PR and Communications. I must admit that the saddest part of the conference was when the rejected applicants chose to vacate the premises immediately.
leaders from each LC so the sessions were specifically aimed at leadership. At the end of the conference all LCPs (Local Committee Presidents) read out a promise as to what they would accomplish and abide to through out their term in office. We can't wait to see what the new MC has in store for us once.
The conference was composed of mainly EB members and team
Some candidates giving their election speeches
Other conference moments... Conference Chair : Sieka Gatabaki
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ALUMNI STORIES
Mechatronics Engineering underIncoming AIESEC graduate degree. Additionally, my KENYA VP of Public passions includes dance, poetryRelations and which I consider to be my first Communication language among other forms of art. In respect to my favorite Former AIESEC JKUAT food, drink or song then, that VP of Communication goes with mood and availability Here’s Wincate’s Story! Mantra: until your comfort zone is the size of the universe, you’ve got to keep on moving. There is Abit about me, I am the first born in a family of so much to explore, discover and two. I successfully completed my share.
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ALUMNI STORIES
MY AIESEC JOURNEY I Joined AIESEC in June 2010. It so happened that I was passing by during one of my boring routine and uncreative days that out of sheer curiosity I attended one of the MSS sessions, and to my surprise fell in love it. I felt like a zombie coming back to life. Subsequently, a few months later, I applied to be a local committee vice president in the Communications portfolio. This was a new challenge with an epic team. I started out doing most of the things in the portfolio myself but soon, through consultation with then LCP Ronny, I understood the basics in delegation of duties as well as team formation and things started to look up. The belief: “Communication is the backbone of every society/ organization without it we cannot move as a whole body,” kept me going.
generation. Proudly, I am seeing how far JKUAT has come under my successor Kathleen. She is truly a spirited, creative and hardworking individual. Until your comfort zone is the size of the universe, you’ve got to keep on moving. There is so much to explore, discover and share.
The decision to apply for MCVP COMM&IM was based on the inspiration I had gotten from AIESEC and the also the desire to develop more personally. Initially, I was scared especially because I was soft spoken and unknown to most, in the Kenyan entity. But at the same time, I was excited to share the ideas I have as well as create a spark in difference to how I represent. In the long run, I was humbled to have been elected.
My goals for my term are simply to Finally, towards the end of my have both an inner and outer loud term, I came up with ideas to start voice as to who we are, what we the reconstruction of COMM and do and where we are going. IM and entrusting it to the next
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
VP Outgoing Exchange Fav colour Navy Blue Fav aiesec moment to date My first conference, Amplified Conference 2012, got me hooked to AIESEC! What has aiesec done for you? AIESEC has given me purpose, broadened my perspective and given me a chance to meet awesome people, undoubtedly the leaders of tomorrow. What do you plan to achieve within your new term 3 things, results (numbers and quality exchanges), empower my team to take up leadership and to grow as a leader.
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
VP Incoming Exchange Fav colour Blue Fav aiesec moment to date Being told that I am reliable by Suzzie Kanyuga What has aiesec done for you? It has made me confident, courageous, a risk taker, time conscious and given me very many friends What do you plan to achieve within your new term I expect to run at least one successful LC project…have interns leave the country happy ensuring that have enjoyed their projects/ work and have had a comfortable stay. I would also like to inspire someone to join the EB in October
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PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
T
he Youth Banner was founded in the year 2010 by Ashoka fellow Wamuyu Mahinda, who is the Chief Executive Of-
ment through entrepreneurship.
The Youth Banner through its programs and in partnership with likeminded organisations will: Give youth the best possible opportunity to play an increasficer. ingly visible, sustainable Wamuyu Mahinda was awarded the and effective role in achieving long term benefits for Ashoka Fellowship in 2010 in themselves through busirecognition of her role in catalyzing ness development entrepreneurship among Kenya’s Support long term growth in enrural and urban youth. In 2007, and trepreneurship with more while working for Technoserve in opportunities and more effective targeted support for Nairobi, she spearheaded the largyoung people est and most successful business plan competition in Kenya’s history Operation The Youth Banner has so far assist- Unlike other organisations, the Youth Banner has a unique aped youth in informal settlements proach in terms of: such as: Mukuru, Korogocho, KiamThe Youth Banner Economic bu, Dandora, Mathare etc Empowerment Programme They have graduate a total of 328 entrepreneurs after taking them through the Youth Banner experience last year, with 100 more set to graduate in July 2013. The Youth Banner (TYB) is a not-forprofit organization focusing on youth development and empower-
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(BEEP) All recruited youth participants form BEEP clubs which are groups of 20-30 youth with a potential to start and run successful. BEEP Club members go through the “Youth Banner Experience” (six months) which has seven components
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PARTNER ORGANISATIONS namely: i) Peer to peer support ii) Business Training iii) mentorship; iv) coaching; v) linkages to markets and finances; vi) exposure to new initiatives and products and vii) community service.
They also have other programs they run including: AJIRA which is for young professionals with existing businesses at a higher level SOCIAL ENTERPRISE which provides a platform for youth with handy skills to develop products The Youth Banner Mentors’ for which they secure markets Network PASHA program where they proThis is Kenya’s first national net- vide consultancy for IT hubs/Pasha centres. work of mentoring business professionals deAIESEC Role signed to enhance entreAIESEC interns have worked in the preneurial success organisation as coaches in the BEEP amongst young people. The network enables young en- programme. They have assisted in training youth from several slums trepreneurs to start busion developing business plans, as nesses with a greater chance of success, thus en- well as acting as coaches and menhancing the country’s eco- tors as the students develop their businesses. nomic growth. The Youth Banner Mentors’ network is the solution to the challenge of providing a readily available source of business mentors. The purpose of this network is to recruit, train, support, recognize and provide a discussion forum and location for interaction between mentors.
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COVER STORY
Current AIESEC JKUAT President (14/15)
First Female President of the entity
Suzy Kanyuga shares her story.
MY AIESEC JOURNEY 2010 My AIESEC journey began one hot lazy afternoon in late October. My friends and I were walking around aimlessly, like the First Years we were. We ran into Anthony Munyi at a table surrounded by posters emblazoned ‘AIESEC’ on them. He told us about AIESEC and what we it en- We over 100 newies all crammed into one tiny classtailed, and we were intrigued. room (obviously the recruitment My first AIESEC meeting (MSS) was quite successful). happened a few days later. And Then the acronyms began! ICX, OGX, MSS, LOL, WTF… it is one I’ll never forget.
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COVER STORY
We were all very confused. I heard someone refer to herself as the Vice President of Talent Management. My mind conjured an image of someone tap-dancing. Another thing: How come there are so many Vice Presidents? Where are all their Presidents? I heard someone refer to herself as the Vice President of Talent Management. My mind conjured up an image of someone tap-dancing.
Presidents and ergo members of the Executive Board. Apparently, during their first MSS in May, there were still very few members. In addition, there were gaps in the EB that needed to be filled. And so they volunteered themselves. These were people like June Samo, Edna Shihembetsa, Cynthia Kadagaya and ‘Mushka’ Kamunge. Yet it was pretty hard to guess they were First Years, they seemed like they’d been in AIESEC forever, and were very good at their jobs.
One of the Pioneers of AIESEC JKUAT was there, and I can reYou’ll get the hang of it, it’s all part member him saying: “As much as of the process, we were assured. we are pleased with how many And indeed, they were right. people are in this room, I’m just ‘They’ were the Great Ones, i.e. being honest when I say that by Kevin “Ndebz” Muriithi, Kerubo Araka and Anthony Munyi. These next month only half of you will were people that would remain still be here, maybe even less. If part of my AIESEC journey for a you’re here to just come, attend long time. Ndebz was the second the meeting, then leave, then this President of AIESEC JKUAT, with Anthony and Kerubo as VPs in his is the wrong place for you. AIESEC isn’t only about the meetings. It’s EB. the about work and developing Then there were the ‘Youngins’. First Years who were already Vice- yourself. “
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COVER STORY
Fig: Members of EB 2012:(from left) Mushka, Ndebz, Kerubo, Munyi, Edna, Cynthia and June And he was right. By late November we had thinned out considerably. Three friends out of the five I’d joined with had already dropped out. I joined the then Incoming Exchange team as a team member.
along with the other Pioneers of AIESEC JKUAT, used to attend MSS at KU. Soon, we began having our own MSS, but members from KU would still come to facilitate training.
By the end of 2010, we had the With time, I learnt that AIESEC first ever AIESEC JKUAT dinner. It JKUAT was started by members of would soon become a tradition. AIESEC KU. Daniel Nyapidi, the first President of AIESEC JKUAT,
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COVER STORY
Fig: The main hall at IC 2011 Opening Ceremony, KICC Fig: Me at Global Village, fresh from eating dry Weetabix, and my reward on my cheek
2012 In March 2012, we had our first ever election conference.
So the Election Conference was held in Kiukenda. It was during I was rather torn as to whether to this time that Anthony Munyi got elected as the third President of apply, but I realized the only reaAIESEC Kenya, with Ronny, Marison I was applying was because I on others as his VPs. felt pressured. Here were a group of newies like Ronny, Marion and Kagiri, who were all so active and were now applying. And here I was, a notso-active member. The least I could do was apply. In the end I decided not to. I just wasn’t ready. And that’s another important lesson I learnt: Your journey is your own. Make your own path, you don’t have to follow the same on as others.
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
Your journey is your own. Make your own path, you don’t have to follow the same on as others. AIESEC Kenya made some changes in the arrangement of the calendar. Instead of running from June to July, it would start in January and end in December. Therefore, there would have to be another election later in the
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year in order to vote in the 2013 EB.
2013 Being a VP is a completely different role. It is one where you are At the time, Maggie and I were faced with lots of adversity and the only members in Incoming Exchallenges. It requires a lot of change, yet we managed to realtime and commitment. However, ize over 90 exchanges. the personal development you go through is incomparable. You I felt ready to run for the election. learn so much about yourself, not just as a leader, but as a person. You also learn about how to deal with other people.
Fig: Team Icx : Maggie and I
And so I did, and I won. Derrick and Rodney, who had also joined AIESEC at the same time with me, also ran and became VPs. Our president, the 4th one in AIESEC JKUAT history, became Ronny Mutua.
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
Being a VP is a completely different role. It is one where you are faced with lots of adversity and challenges. It requires a lot of time and commitment. However, the personal development you go through is incomparable.
The beginning of my term was quite the challenge. I had to stop working with most of our NGOs, fire the person who did our pickups, and drop the intern house. In short, I had to start from scratch. In time, we managed to get back on our feet. I had an able team consisting of Susan Mugo, Bryan
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bundi, Natalie Mutunga, Wambui Muigai and others.
Incoming Exchnage team, that is, Bryan, Susan, Wambui and Natalie.
In September, the applications for EB 2014 were released. Initially, I had been looking forward to retirement from AIESEC.
2014 This year is turning out to be my best year in AIESEC. The ups and downs will always be there, but I am confident we will do well. So far, so good!
However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I had several reasons to apply. First, the role scared me. And AIESEC is all about pushing your boundaries and getting out of your comfort zone. Secondly, I was going to miss AIESEC, both the organization and the people. I wasn’t quite ready to leave it yet. Third, I felt like I was ready for the role. So I applied. The Election Conference was a joint one with AIESEC USIU, the first ever of its kind. I won the role of President, the first female to do so. Also to join my EB would be some of my members from my
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
VP Talent Management Fav colour Any shade of purple, especially violet. Right now, I am going through a neon colour craze. :D Fav aiesec moment to date The Pioneers Conference is my favourite experience to date. I made bonds and memories to last a lifetime. What has aiesec done for you? I don’t know how to describe what AIESEC has done for me without it turning into an essay. :P In short, AIESEC has made me unveil my potential, challenged me to become a better person, opened a new world of opportunities, given me a chance to change people’s lives, introduced me to amazing people, taught me how to persevere and given a path to love What do you plan to achieve within your new term In my term, I want to have a new, interactive MSS and simply make the members of AIESEC JKUAT have the best experience they can have.
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD VP Communication & Information Management
Fav colour Red Fav aiesec moment to date At our Annual AIESEC JKUAT Dinner 2013, when I received the John Mulatya Award for Excellence. What has aiesec done for you? AIESEC has done for me more than can be conveyed in words ‌But I got to go to Poland on exchange for two months! And during that time, got to visit Germany, Paris and Czech Republic. A mini Euro-trip that was! What do you plan to achieve within your new term I would like to see proper Communication and Information management structures out up and put to effective use.ie. A blog, a website and newsletter. I would also love to grow my portfolio members, engage them and inspire them to do more with their AIESEC experiences.
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ALUMNI STORIES
Incoming AIESEC TANZANIA VP of Information Management Former AIESEC JKUAT VP of Alumni Relations Mercy’s Story!
My AIESEC Journey started 3 years ago when I was very fresh on Campus. I saw an AIESEC table promoting an event by the Entrepreneurship and Leadership Foundation (EplusL). I also remember reading the AIESEC Banner that was written the international platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I signed up but that is one decision I will never regret.
One of the first AIESEC activities I took part in was the EplusL forum that took almost 6 months. I was in a Business Idea competition with several other AIESECers from JKUAT and we all managed to present our ideas to a panel of investors. This one was a bit tough but we made it through alive. The tough ride was definitely worth it. We were trained by one the best Public Image Consultant in the country; Derek Bhanga. I also learned to balance school and AIESEC. While one of the AIESECers organizing During one first MSS I remember someone making an announcement that Business Daily the process went to Singapore to represent the organization at the World Economic Forum in was looking for volunteers to help in impleSingapore, I got my first internship ever at mentation of the next big thing in JKUAT. Guess who raised up their hands? Ronny and I. EplusL when I was in my first year. We were required to get the next big thing team an audience in our school and train them on how to submit their ideas. Easy right? Apart from getting some freebies, training and getting to know people I also learnt how to pitch a tent.
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
When I joined AIESEC I joined the iGIP team. Back then it was called Corporate Relations. That is where I learned everything I know today about business. We got to get serious and go for meetings with “big” people and it was amazing. Being so young and exposed to the
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ALUMNI STORIES
corporate world. It was in 2012 that my team leader motivated me to apply for a LCVP position. I applied for IM but I failed in the Reviews. It was heartbreaking but they say you cannot fall when you are on the ground so I did not give up. I applied again this time for Alumni Relations and made it through the entire process.
I applied for Information Management but I failed during the reviews. It was heartbreaking but they say you cannot fall when you are on the ground so I did not give up. I applied again this time for Alumni Relations and made it through the entire process. I was in the 2012/2013 EB team which was amazing. AIESEC was family. That was the period when I really understood the essence of AIESEC, why we do what we do, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices‌ that is when I stopped asking too many whys. It was in 2013 that I got to Travel to Ethiopia for AFROXLDs an AIESEC conference with my sister after which she quit her job for the AIESEC Global Internship Program. She should probably tell her story herself. I made so many friends from all over the world and got to learn so much. It was also in 2013 that I went on Exchange to Tanzania. My Exchange experience is on the AIESEC Kenya blog here: http:// blog.aiesec.or.ke/foot-prints-in-the-sands-ofdar-es-salaam-my-impact-story/
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
Our EB term ended in December 2013. I was almost finishing school and I felt like it was time I left AIESEC but no. A few weeks after I made that decision and took steps to moving on I got an urge to keep going. I felt like it wasn’t my time yet so I applied for the MCVP IM in Tanzania. I will start my new job in July this year. That should tell the outcome of the elections. My AIESEC Journey has been pure bliss. I would relieve it again, No regrets.
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PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
A
HI is a Swahili word that means ‘friend’ and whose initials stand for An Honest Intention. The founders of AHI wanted AHI to be a friend and source of hope for the underprivileged children in Kenya. It was founded in 2011. Education is essential for the betterment of the future of society. AHI acknowledges this need and believes strongly that with passion, hard work and goodwill, we can make gains for a greater society built on a proper solid foundation. AHI's visionaries look to help nourish young people's minds in order to safeguard the outcome of our futures. With this in mind, their scope includes: To provide opportunities to underprivileged youth between the ages of 11-16 years old (STD 6-std8) by enhancing their ability to derive their own vision, generate their own ideas and make their own deci-
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sions. To provide exposure to the different career and societal developments that exists within society. Goals Establish effective learning centres in underprivileged schools. Establish revenue generating projects to supplement school budget and promote sustainability. Reduce the book: student ratio from 1:7 to 1:2 Host character building exercises like motivational talks, book clubs, career fairs, mentorship programmes etc. Facilitate the paying of school fees, buying uniforms etc. Milestones 1) AHI is currently paying school fees for about 10 extremely needy children, ensuring that the children are not forced to miss school due
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PARTNER ORGANISATIONS to finances. 2) AHI has already bought over 300 new books and is actively looking for ways to make academic resources readily available to the children. 3) AHI successfully runs a seasonal voluntary teaching and mentoring program aimed at interacting with the children on a personal level. 4) With AHI’s help, St. Catherine’s Primary School, Mukuru, recorded its highest performance with an increase of 7% (top student, Delphine got 385 marks and was admitted to Alliance Girls High School) Projects AHI works closely with a school called St. Catherine’s, which is located in South B, across Mater hospital, which caters to children living in the surrounding slums. The school is faced with a myriad of problems including: a book to student ratio of 1:7, teenage pregnancies. Lack of school uniform and a shortage of teachers. To counter these problems, the organisation has come up with 2 projects: Resource/Learning Centre It will have books (academic, inspirational & motivational,
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biographies &autobiographies, reference books etc.), computers and limited internet access, study spaces. Among the programmes that will be run in the centres are computer literacy classes,book clubs, financial planning talks, sex education, health &sanitation talks, career talks, mentorship etc. Poultry Farming In this project, the children will be rearing chicken, and selling the meat and the eggs. This is an income-generating project that AHI hopes will make the school become selfsustainable . AIESEC Impact/Role The interns who have worked at AHI have worked there as teachers for St. Catherine’s and interacted with the kids.
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
VP Global Internship Programs
Fav colour I looove pink! Ooh, and all neons J Fav aiesec moment to date Amplified Conference 2012. Being my first conference, it surprised me how so many young people, all different with much zeal, could sit, dream and plan together while having so much fun. What has aiesec done for you? Being the change I believe in. AIESEC has given me the opportunity to serve, the confidence to lead and the strong will to impact this society. With a change of mind set, I now have a future. What do you plan to achieve within your new term I hope to raise at least 5 TNs, match and realise at least 10 EPs and ensure all AIESEC JKUAT becomes financially stable.
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MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
VP Expansions Fav colour Blue Fav aiesec moment to date When I finally had my first group of EPs What has aiesec done for you? AIESEC has provided me with invaluable skills that one cannot learn in school but through a work experience that AIESEC provides. Through AIESEC I have met great people from all over the world! What do you plan to achieve within your new term By the time I am done with my term, I want there to be at least three new AIESEC entities with the ability to run themselves.
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ALUMNI STORIES
Incoming AIESEC KENYA VP of Global Internship Programs Former AIESEC JKUAT President! Ronny’s story!
My AIESEC journey begun in September 2011 as with many JKUAT lads; looking for a great ‘club’ in school to pick up girls! Such was the depth of my thought at the time! Marion an AIESEC JKUAT alumnus and currently a part of the National team, tried for two weeks with no avail, to convince me to join AIESEC. It was only when she mentioned that most of the members were ladies, that I decided to tag along.
In many occasions, roles and opportunities call for the right people rather than the best people.
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I have to admit that the meeting was quite strange even for my eccentric persona. A bunch of people dancing to random music. I thought as many of you have and will, that this was a crazy bunch of students. I was immediately recruited into the projects portfolio under June Samo who was the VP then. I did not complain as I was the only guy in the portfolio. My expectations were more than met! Two or three meetings later, I volunteered to be the organizing committee (OC) president for ‘The Next Big Thing’. The Nation Media Group and Transcend Media Group were running a National entrepreneurship competition amongst the universities; our team tasked to run it within JKUAT. Interesting enough I had no clue what an OC was neither the first thing about organizing an event on campus. I believe this is one of the beauties of AIESEC, throwing guys into situ-
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ations they know 0 about. We essentially learn by doing (lesson 1). It may seem overwhelming at first, but trust me it is rewarding when it all comes through. This intense experience propelled me into the role of Team Leader within the Projects Portfolio a month or so after joining. January 2012 arrive quickly after when I decided to run for the VP position within the same portfolio. I must say, as with the OCP role before, I was quite under qualified and with 3 months experience. Which leads me to lesson number 2: In many occasions, roles and opportunities call for the right people rather than the best people. If you feel passionate or inspired enough to take up a particular role just do it! Thus begun my VP Projects ride. My GCDP exchange in Ethiopia has to be one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Exchange really changes someone. Before exchange, my life was filled and punctuated by several automatic steps. Going to class, taking my exams, even being in school was just part of the daily routine or largely the motions we go through in life. You may say I found my purpose in life while on exchange! January 2013 arrived with the massive responsibility of being the Local Committee President (LCP) of AIESEC JKUAT in addition to a CEED opportunity in Ghana for six weeks, which explains my obsession with rollcalls. If you did not know, now you do! The time I spent as an LCP made me appreciate lesson number 3; your team is the most vital component of your AIESEC experience. They can either make you or break you. Be mindful that you bear the same responsibility to contribute to your team members having a great time, working with you and the team goals are met. It should be mutually beneficial. I was blessed in both the role of VP Projects and as an LCP, to have been surrounded by an incredible bunch of people who were
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
friends before colleagues. I had the opportunity to embed one of my beliefs, which is getting things done whilst having fun. I hope I was able to achieve that last year; it was truly a massive honour and pleasure to have served as President!
I had the opportunity to embed one of my beliefs, which is getting things done whilst having fun. Currently I am on my third exchange, a GIP in Norway working as a Project Manager of the 2014 Nordic Somali Youth Summit. This is part of a larger project focusing on integration of immigrants or minority groups in Nordic Europe. A pretty insightful experience and I can’t wait to start my journey as the National Vice President of iGIP in July! Overall, I would like to encourage anyone reading this to stay plugged into AIESEC, it really is rewarding. Learn to balance your time in between school and your different roles, cherish the friends you make within the network, local and international, you never know when you will need a couch to crush on. The final and most important lesson: trust God to guide you through your experiences, assuredly each will be a success. When you get to the top, a leader within your generation, remember to give back. To be greater than other men is not a license to rule, but an obligation to serve! I wish you a wonderful and fulfilling AIESEC journey!
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My project in Kenya was a health program, helping a local NGO in Mathare Slum. It was my pleasure to be of help and it surely made me feel like I did something, even if it was just some encouragements and some paper work. I got to learn how to be concerned about other people, learnt to be thankful for life, learnt to be optimistic and independent.
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
What disturbed me the most was Swahili. Sometimes my colleges forgot to speak English. Most of the time people in the slum only spoke Swahili. This made it hard for me to understand them. The host was good and she was really concerned about me. The only problem was some people think foreigners are rich
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and wanted to take advantage of the future and stay longer than I us. I visited Nakuru, did. Naivasha and Mombasa. These places are nice!
I really enjoyed my stay here, hope I'll come back some time in
IMPACT : Epic Firsts
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