Working in TEF is a mix of feelings for me. For a Foundation whose activities cross borders, this means lots and lots of internal and external engagements. This also means an unlimited supply of butterflies for a chronic introvert deficient in motivation for verbal exchange – at least I don’t wake up every day looking forward to having people stare at me speaking. On a side note, I feel like, pre-birth, an angel must have exaggerated the “sought-afterbility” of tall, dark-skinned men over mindless oratory skills.
However, knowing that I am contributing my tiny bit towards Africa’s development is an incredibly humbling experience. That lives are changing for the better, and I am part of the puzzle makes my work extremely meaningful.
While TEF puts me out there every day, and it is a bit challenging sometimes, the impact my team and I create makes this tiny discomfort pale in comparison. It makes you feel like a superhero, except unlike the DC and Marvel ones, you are a real-life superhero in the arena called Africa, making dreams come true.
So shout-out to the concept note writer helping land partners, to the field visitor combing the remote areas of Rwanda for success stories, to the brand ambassador leaving no stone unturned in their quest to tell our stories, to the one crunching our numbers and ensuring entrepreneurs get paid, to the Lagos lawyer helping us avoid litigation, to the person reviewing and verifying the accuracy of our processes, and finally, to the entrepreneurship champion ensuring the end to end execution of our programmes, I’d like to say that you are seen; you are heard; and you are appreciated.
My goal is to earn the VP and MVP badges in Heirs, and I eagerly anticipate the promotion that comes with such recognition (Na prayer ohh). Here’s to hoping for success!
PS: There is a cash prize to whoever can figure out the other “MP” moniker.
