– Brenda Etukei Meyer

I am working with Compassion International as a Program Support Specialist where I design and provide end to end portfolio management of partner implementation of in-country grants projects. Compassion International is an NGO that seeks to alleviate social, economic, spiritual and cognitive challenges that lead to poverty among children and youth in low-income families.

University of Kent was a major steppingstone in my career. In 2014 I was looking for a University that would help me grow in my passion in working with vulnerable children who had experienced abuse and exploitation. I also desired to expand the Highly vulnerable children program I working to encompass other areas of protection. University of Kent, MA in Child Protection provided the skills and knowledge that I believed then, would help me achieve these goals. In addition, unlike other universities, the course at Kent was more detailed and provided simulations which helped me to know how best to work with different children in need of protection. The course also moved beyond incidence reporting to macro and micro systematic challenges which I found helpful in building a child protection strategy for our organization.

I was working at the time, so I was not able to undertake any work experience at Kent. However, my work assignment provided the required work experience which I was able to share with my Supervisor consistently while I was working on my project. For instance, at the time, I was providing support to more than 300 partners were are working with in Kenya to help build a referral system that will ensure they will are able to address the cases of abuse effectively. This referral system is still in place and has supported more than 340 children surviving abuse and exploitation to receive medical, psychosocial, and legal support.

I have enjoyed working in the NGO sector. As mentioned earlier my passion has consistently been working with vulnerable children. My favorite has always been the opportunity to use my skills and knowledge to find ways of protecting children and youth from further vulnerable. My role as a Child Protection Specialist was quite engaging and I found it very enjoyable especially when I saw the lives of children living in abuse and exploitation transformed. One instance is where we held an anti-FGM campaign. We were privileged to rescue and prevent more than 26 girls from going through FGM.  My current role is also very fulfilling as I get to raise resources for the same so that they can be protected from further vulnerabilities.

My current role involves identifying needs of vulnerable children and youth supported by our partners. Based on the needs identified, I work with the partners to design best fit interventions, after which I develop these interventions into grants projects. Our marketing team in different countries help to market this project for funding. Once funded I support the partners to implement this training through training, financing, and putting up sustainability measures. Basically, on a daily basis I provide end to end project management to each of the projects we envision from design, implementation to evaluation/closure. Currently I am handling about 35 projects of this nature, all at different phases of implementation

My desire is to coach organizations to start, expand their programs to meet the needs of vulnerable children and youth. My focus has always been to find ways to give a voice to all children and youth and advocate for there needs to be met in sustainable.

Continuous learning is key in growing in the NGO sector. Since there is no one size fits all when dealing with people especially in this sector, the need to connect to universities that offers research based is key to contributing to the industry practices.

Empowering, refreshing, and strategic

Every lesson learned should keenly be followed with practice. The world is waiting for people who can change their current circumstances. You may have the key to someone’s transformation.