HABARI
m2m Kenya January - April 2016
It feels like only a short time ago I was wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And now we are about to begin the second quarter of 2016. Upon returning from the Decembeer holidays, the team wasted no time rolling up their sleeves for the tasks at hand. Some such tasks included a host of sensitisations for our Community Mentor Mother pilot in Rachuonyo, concluding the KMMP economic evaluation, data collection for our
annual evaluation and preparing the rollout of new M&E tools, and even filming visits with celebrities from the UK! As we look ahead to the next quarter, I want to continually thank the team at the sites and within the office for living out the m2m brand values of being passionate, vibrant and trusted. Happy reading!
Milker
Farewell Judith After close to six years, Judith bid farewell to the m2m family in June. Judith made tremendous contributions as a member of the Kenya staff; first as a Regional Manager and the last four years as the Training and Education Specialist for the Kenya Mentor Mother Program. She was instrumental in leading the development of the national training package supporting the scale of the KMMP through Implementing Partners and MOH staff. We will remember Judith for her organisational skills, keenness to detail and warm nature. We will also not forget her willingness to teach and enrol staff in the “tapestry project”!
What did you think of the m2m’s programme when you first joined? At first, I didn’t quite understand the work approach given that my former setting was quite different. Good thing I had an open mind and a supportive line manager and team members. I liked that the working environment was conducive with creativity and innovativeness being closely embraced. The Mentor Mothers – who were the heart of the programme – stood out the most to me. When important decisions had to be made, their input was considered crucial.
What are some of your treasured memories of your time with m2m? The energy and bonding during team building events and trainings and the staff coming together during end-of-year events. I’ll also miss burning the midnight oil to get proposals out of the door! Last but not least, the group and one-on-one coaching and facilitation skills we harnessed with Twalib.
What attribute of m2m are you carrying with you to your next assignment? Loving what I do, doing it with passion and making a small heaven for myself wherever I am.
Any parting words for our Mentor Mothers? The role you play is important and life-changing. As you impact positively on the clients out there do not forget yourselves. Look out for opportunities to build yourselves personally and professionally - add value in the work you do. I love this quote by Nelson Jackson which goes, “I do not believe you can do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow.”