Radboud University
A few weeks before the launch of AMID Magazine, we visited a non-profit organisation in Kenya called Macheo, tucked away on the outskirts of Thika town. Marnix Huis in 't Veld, the Managing Director, and Seth Mwangi, the Service Delivery Manager, enjoyed a coffee with us as they narrated their experience with AMID programmes that enabled them become agents of change capable of developing ground-breaking responses to current and future challenges.
Marnix: "We've known Prof Dr Sara Kinsbergen, the Programme Director of AMID Young Professional, for a very long time. She visited us at Macheo in 2007. We've always kept in touch and follow up on her work. So, when the opportunity presented itself and the fees were affordable, it was a no-brainer:'
Seth: "The experience was amazing. The team that took us through it provided well-organised teachers and lecturers. Unlike other ways of learning, AMID Young Professional is more practical in that they have mentorship sessions that encourage us to ask more questions. The lecturers were not there just to teach us. They would give us information, which we could question, bringing out the excellence in us."
Marnix: "We also met students from countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and India. The majority were from the Netherlands, who we also interacted and shared knowledge with. As for our organisation, we networked and later received referrals from various people; some are doing things for Macheo that we benefit from."
Marnix: "The programme's intensity has played a major role in the changes I've seen. Their way of teaching helps a lot. More credit is due to Seth and Julie (other staff member of Macheo taking the programme) for all their efforts; they did very well."
Seth: "At Macheo, we've seen a huge boost in confidence, pure knowledge and a much broader scope of international development and international trends."
Marnix: "As the Managing Director at Macheo, a few things have been implemented into our programmes, and the results are fantastic and truly beneficial. lt comes through in different ways: the change and what can be learned for Seth, Julie and me through the AMID Young Professional and Masterclasses."
Seth: "Yeah, we thought of transferring knowledge from what we learned. We agreed that we wanted to communicate what we are and what we are learning; this also makes it more practical for Julie and the rest of our colleagues."
Marnix: "So we incorporated AMID programmes, although not fully. Currently, we have around 17 of our staff participating. We have one session every week on Thursdays, and they've taken it up and appreciate what we're teaching them. It's broadening their thinking, way of working and performance. We've seen remarkable change within them."
Seth: "It's insightful and interesting, having weekly discussions and debates. For Macheo, it's been eye-opening as we can now identify gaps in our organisation and know how to fix them. On a personal level, we've learned about presentation, communication and so forth. It's been very helpfuI."
Besides Macheo, is there another organisation you shared with?
Seth: "Yes, a Ugandan student we were with. I shared what we we're doing with Macheo with her. She was interested, especially in our work, monitoring it and the evaluation. She even travelled from Uganda to Kenya to experience Macheo. She learned a lot because we took her through most of our interventions, what we're doing and how we monitor and evaluate things.
It was a game changer for her. Since then, she's been in touch with us to introduce it to their organisation. It was impressive that she added it to her thesis, challenging her organisation to adapt how we do it at Macheo. This is such an excellent way to network."
Seth: "Definitely. There's so much to learn. They're key to making an organisation run or having an impact on the community. For instance, involving the community as stakeholders, other people and organisations. There's more focus on what you can offer within this organisation than on competition. Reaching out to make something impactful to what you're doing or in the community."
Seth: "The major issue with most organisations is community involvement. Organisations develop their interventions without involving the community for sustainability. In most cases, community ownership has no place. So whenever you pull or move away, things collapse.
From what I have learned in AMID Young Professional, when you involve that community, there's ownership. They can do anything for the organisation because it's part of them. And with that, the impact is realised and feit. Even if you're not there, they can talk to others and continue with the project."
Marnix: "Adding to that, we've learned a lot about power. Hard sources of power in particular: who has them and where to use them. When you enter the government, they have all the aforementioned powers, yet you want to work with them. So how do you do it? How do you get people to realise that even if there are policies, they can change them and work with you?"
Seth: "We've had a lot of group work where we were grouped to work in Kenya and the Netherlands. We discussed and shared ideas with the whole team in both countries."
Marnix: "Well, I feel that most programmes are theoretical, while AMID was practical. It was a step forward; how do you do what you want to do? This was the biggest change I saw in these two contexts. There were a lot of practicals, lecturer involvement and follow-ups."
Seth: "Time management. If I'd mismanaged it, everything would have fallen apart. I had to manage my work; being a family man, I needed to be there for them. I had to spend a lot of time reading and writing at night. Initially, it was exhausting. I remember the first two months were hectic, but I was able to adapt with time."
Seth: "It was an excellent experience. The lecturers being there for you and even being open to having you contact them when you need help is a major thing. You can call and text them, and they'll reply. Everything was well thought out. It was an opportunity like no other."
Marnix: "I think there could have been more support to help Seth more, as he initially struggled with academic reading and writing, which wasn't a surprise given his previous education. Looking back, I think we should have invested more time in those skills before the start of the programme. This would have meant that when it started, it was easier to things pick up."
Marnix: "It's been a blast! It opens your mind to new perspectives. I've enjoyed meeting new people who challenge me to question things I've just assumed. I've applied to this academic programme to add value to Macheo."
Macheo is a NonProfit Organisation in Thika, Kenya. lt helps disadvantaged children and their families in urban slums and rural regions. Macheo means 'sunrise' in Kiswahili. 'Sunrise' means having as many children as possible grow up happily in a safe, caring and stimulating environment that promotes their potential.