Millicent Omala, Kenya
Having been born and raised in Kenya, my worldview before joining the MEG programme was mainly Kenya-centred. I had gone through the Kenyan education system and graduated from the University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Community Development and secured a job in Kenya. It had never occurred to me that I could live and work outside Kenya. After about three years of working, I began to have a strong feeling for a change but I wasn’t quite sure whether the change I needed was in a new a job or further studies. When I consulted my former lecturer, he advised me to apply for a scholarship and further my Studies. I did my internet search and came across the MEG Programme, just in time when applications were being accepted! I applied, was shortlisted, interviewed and accepted into the MEG programme. What was fascinating for me during that whole process was the efficiency and the responsiveness by the MEG and the DAAD teams. I got all the information I needed ahead of time and whenever I needed assistance or any form of clarification, it was provided. This gave me a great sense of assurance of the support I would receive during my stay in Germany. Even though it was going to be my first time leaving my home country, my mind was settled.
The MEG Programme provided me the international exposure of living abroad and interacting with people and cultures from different parts of the world. This experience enlarged my world view and ignited the urge to expand my horizons. For my internship during the summer break, I travelled to Nepal and worked with GIZ for three months, an experience that I cherish to this day. Towards the end of my Master programme, MEG and DAAD, yet again provided me an opportunity to apply for an internship with the United Nations under the Carlo-Schmid-Programme. When I looked at the terms of reference that the United Nations World Food Programme (Ghana Country office) had shared in their request for an intern, they matched the roles I had played at GIZ-Nepal to a large extent. I applied for it and I was offered the opportunity to work with WFP-Ghana for a period of six months. When I completed the six months, the WFP management did not let me go. I was offered a new contract and grew and worked in the organisation for five years until December 2021 when I resigned to take up a PhD position in Kenya, funded through a scholarship.
I am currently pursuing my PhD with a specific focus on climate finance in Kenya and I believe that all my previous experiences not only counted in setting me apart in the application and interview processes but also add up to what I bring to the team. I am now contributing to research that will have an impact on Kenya’s climate finance landscape while I engage and exchange with counterparts in different parts of the world through the networks I developed during MEG, DAAD alumni seminars and work. Thanks to MEG, now I get to experience the world as a global village.
