Tell us about yourself

Jane:I am Achuchi Jane. A  holder of Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (Public Administration and History) from the University of Nairobi. I facilitate the ReachUp! program in Budalang'i,Busia county, Western Region,Kenya.I love reading and travelling.

Sharon:I am Sharon Imali Madeshe, a 22 years old female graduate with a Diploma in medical laboratory science. I work with DOT  Kenya as a ReachUp! program facilitator at Hamisi Youth Empowerment centre in Vihiga, Western Kenya.  My hobbies are traveling, socializing and
doing community work. I  also have computer skills and first aid skills.

Samuel:My name is Samuel Nakhone a DOT Kenya Intern based in Bungoma county.I facilitate the ReachUp! program at the  African Institute of Research and Development Studies in Bungoma,Western Kenya. I also have a second center  in Kakamega county at a place called Home life Pasha center where I facilitate the ReachUp! program.

How has your experience been so far?

Jane:My experience has been great. I am always moved by the desire of the participants to learn more despite the challenges they face.My greatest achievement has been the ability to encourage youth and women to start projects that will have a positive impact in their lives.

Sharon:My experience in the field has been good and I have been able to learn how to handle different kinds of people through adult learning. The entire process has helped me acquire more knowledge from my participants because most of them happen to be having more experience. As per now everything  is okay and I love being a DOT intern.I am proud of having coached some of my participants who have
already started their businesses and some who have expanded the ones they had after going through the ReachUp! Programme. Alongside that I'm proud of having conquered all the challenges and having worked successfully with the centre manager and the people around without any problem.

 Samuel: My experience as an intern, has been enjoyable though sometimes I came upon challenges that I had had to deal with. I faced most of these challenges at the beginning of my internship. My greatest achievement has been to see youths through the reach up program and that at the end of it all they are better people, more independent, knowledgeable about the opportunities around them and empowered on how they can exploit these opportunities.

Any challenges?

Samuel: The greatest challenge was finding a center which I later managed to surmount.

Sharon:The greatest challenge I faced at first was my first group of participants who happened to have doubts about the program as they had never heard of DOT or ReachUp! before but with the help of my Filed Officer Ingrid Amunga and the District Youth Officer, I was able to sail through and as at now many are willing to take the training. The other small challenges were normal and had to overcome them using the principles of adult learning and the many tips I got during the face to face training at AFRALTI.

Jane:I have had two major challenges in the field:

 1.Budalang'i floods- This occurred late last year:9^th December,2011.Many people were affected including my participants plus the
training center at the Bunyala Institute of Technology. There was no electricity supply for the whole of the month of December. This was no reason for facilitation to come to a standstill,armed with the advocacy skills I received from Dot-Kenya I met the District Youth Development officer- Bunyala District who gave me a new center:Bunyala Youth Empowerment Center.

2.Less computers-I am always overwhelmed by the number of participants who want to learn, with only five computers  its tricky to facilitate to a whole thirty participants. To deal with this, I always divide the participants into shifts so as we have different classes at different times. Also with only a modem to access Internet, I always create time to open emails for the each participant individually.

What has been your most memorable moment?

Sharon:My most memorable moments as an intern was the entire life at AFRALTI during the face to face training, Mr. Ndekezi's classes and the regional meetings. I loved each and every minute of the above as a DOT intern.

Jane: Maarifa Ndekezi's facilitation sessions at AFRALTI during the face to face training: He instilled great qualities in me that I still use any time am facilitating.

Samuel:My most memorable moment is the first closing ceremony I organized with the help of Winnie Wangulu a fellow intern and our participants. It was very colorful and it showed how much the participants appreciated our effort.

What is your advise to the new Interns?

Sharon:I advise the new interns to be self disciplined, cooperative and willing to go an extra mile because with DOT that's how you will manage your work and find it interesting. DOT is the best place to be!

Samuel: My advice to the new interns is that, the DOT experience is like a consternation, and while they are at it they should seek to build
themselves just as they are determined to build and develop the community.

Jane:My advise to the new interns: Internship is an on-job training,give it your very best!

What are your future plans?

Samuel:Yes, I have a plan, to be a millionaire by next year and how am I going to do that? Start up a lumbering business!

Jane: To further my education in peace studies.

Sharon:In future I want to further my studies, own my own business and get employment