Internship at Sadili Yields Great Professional Experience: Intern Success Stories 3

Philipa Mtamira and Brighton Savayi were two of five interns who successfully completed a 3-month internship at Sadili on 28th July 2017. Here is what they had to say about their experience: 

Philipa Mtamira

"My name is Philipa Mtamira, a 3^rd year Zambian student at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies. I joined Sadili in May 2017 as an intern Social Educator, a position I held for three months. I was actively involved in two of Sadili’s programmes: the Court of Dreams (WASH) and Girl Power Clubs Africa programme.

My work involved a lot of field work because these programs target Kibera informal settlement. One of the most important lessons I learnt was how sport can be integrated with life skills training especially in the Court of Dreams (WASH) program. As a matter of fact, sport plays an integral role towards societal transformation and improvement in the sense that children are not only given the chance to play but also an opportunity to learn life skills in a fun environment. I learnt to use sports like tennis and other games to get to help children to understand themselves more and be able to build their self-esteem. 

Girl Power Clubs Africa sessions gave a platform for me to share with young girls my personal experiences growing into the young woman I have become. It was also an opportunity for me to learn from them as we always discussed the many issues girls face as they grow up.

My biggest challenge was walking under the scorching sun almost every day for fieldwork. However, I kept reminding myself that a Social worker is never afraid of embracing work in the field. In addition I was encouraged by the fact that through Sadili, I had become an agent of positive change in Kibera. The joy of seeing children happily playing during our sessions with them also kept me going. In a nutshell, sports for development especially in a case where children are the target members is a great initiative; an initiative that expands their possibilities and horizons in life.

My being at Sadili Oval was a real learning experience of new discoveries, adventures and putting into practice the theories learnt in school. I am thankful that I got that wonderful opportunity, and I am looking forward to putting into practice the lessons I learnt."

 

Brighton Savayi

"I am Brighton Savayi, a third year student at St. Elizabeth University of Social Work and Health Sciences, in collaboration with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, pursuing a Bachelors degree in Social Work. It is a requirement by the institution and the ministry of education that for one to graduate, they ought to have gone through field practice. That is why I had to seek for a chance to join Sadili Oval Sports Academy.  I joined the organization on 8^th May, 2017 as an intern, social educator. 

The first time I heard of Sadili Oval Sports Academy, I could not figure out how a sports academy could be helpful to a deserving community like Kibera. What motivated me were the programs the organization is offering to the community, including the WASH program (court of dreams), Ushindi Boys Club program, Empower my Life program and Girl Power Clubs Africa program. I joined Sadili oval sports Academy on the 8^th May, 2017 as an intern. 

I had set down my objectives that I intended to achieve by the end of my internship at Sadili. Some of them include the quest for experience; desire to apply class work knowledge, and testing the applicability of theories to real life. For real, I had set my mind with very high expectations.

My stay at Sadili at first was hectic, considering the fact that I had never encountered people from Kibera informal settlement one on one. I had challenges walking in the hilly terrains of Kibera while going for sessions in schools, and on dry days, I endured the dust. I also had a challenge working with children as some could be stubborn sometimes. I now acknowledge the fact that all these challenges were there to strengthen us. 

My most memorable experience of all, however, was working with special needs children of Mary Rice School. Working with them was such a good experience, and with the help of their teachers, I got to understand that they just need a little more attention than the average child to win them.

As I continued having sessions with children, I got so used to them that even now, a day away from them really gives me a hard time because I miss them.  The challenges of dust, terrain, I just got used to, and had to convince myself that it is natural, and that the organization can’t be in control.

Some of the activities I was involved in while at Sadili included: Conducting life skills sessions for both Court of Dreams (WASH) project and Ushindi Boys Clubs programme; data entry, collecting data for Monitoring & Evaluation, planning and implementation of tournaments and very many other activities. I also got to actively participate in the celebration of the Day of the African Child in June 2017. It is through these fulfilling activities that I felt all my objectives had been achieved.

I applied widely class work into my field practice; I experienced and understood what it means to work with the community and I had a better understanding of what the community in Kibera needs, one of them being economic empowerment of the youth.

To any student who would like to gain real world experience and is ready and willing to work with the community, I highly recommend Sadili Oval Sports Academy. It is not an easy call, but what you do, how you do it and your attitude towards work will determine whether or not you succeed.

To the organization, thank you and congratulations for all you do. You have the community at heart and you are doing all you can to give the best. Keep the fire burning!"

Internships at Sadili provide exciting opportunities for students to gain on-the-job experience in many different aspects.We invite you to become part of our success story.