Tell us about yourself
My name is Sylvester Maningi. I am currently offering my services as a member/volunteer at Kenya Red Cross Society Kakamega Branch. In my role with the Kenya Red Cross Society Kakamega Branch, I am majorly involved in response and preparedness activities in the community through sensitising the public on disaster preparedness, dissemination and providing relief efforts during emergencies. Through my volunteer work, I have gained skills in communication, teamwork and problem solving. I am excited to continue this journey in humanitarian work and making a difference in the lives of those in need.
I am also a recent graduate of a Bachelor’s degree in Literature and having gained skills in communication, critical thinking, cultural understanding, advocacy and storytelling and research and analysis, I have a strong foundation of skills and perspectives important towards contributing to and supporting humanitarian efforts.
What does your role involve?
My role at the Branch involves handling communication and dissemination of information, managing public relations and writing various documents and materials for the organisation. My responsibilities include keeping the public informed about our activities, events and initiatives, building relationships with the community and stakeholders and creating written content to promote the mission and goals of the organisation. I am also involved in media relations, social media management and other communication tasks to support the organisation’s objectives.
How did you first become involved in humanitarian work?
I felt a strong urge to help others and make a positive impact in my community. I was inspired by stories of people in need and wanted to do my part to make a difference. Joining the Kenya Red Cross Society allowed me to contribute to various humanitarian efforts such as disaster relief, health programs, and community development projects. This experience has ignited a passion for humanitarian work in me, and I have been involved in various volunteer projects ever since.
How did you first hear about our digital learning platform Kaya, and how long have you been using it?
Through referral. I was referred to the Kaya platform by one of the staff members of the Kenya Red Cross Society Kakamega Branch.
I have been using Kaya for about five months.
What is your favourite course on Kaya and why?
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning for Development Professionals. The course was relevant in helping me gain skills in collection and analysis of data to track progress, evaluation, transparency and learning where I can make informed decision making and improve program design and implementation. Additionally, I was impressed by the step-by-step guides offered in the course, the diagrams and the case studies that provided an in-depth analysis and easy to understand topics. The topical questions were also valuable for brainstorming and understanding my sharpness in gaining knowledge about the course.
Has learning on Kaya changed your outlook or approach to humanitarian work?
It has not changed my outlook but rather improved my belief in the power of collaboration, community empowerment and sustainable solutions to create lasting positive change. I have learnt to listen to the needs of the communities, work closely with local partners and prioritize the voices of those in need.
Share some advice for humanitarians at the start of their journey…
Remain passionate, resilient and open-minded as you begin your career as a humanitarian. Our work has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of those in need.
