By Diana Wanjiru Maina

My name is Diana Wanjiru from Kenya. I got accepted for YALI cohort 25 in June 2018. It was a surprise for me to get accepted. I was at place where I had big dreams and didn't know how to turn them into action. I learnt about YALI during an event organized in my home town that was organized by an alumni of YALI and MWF. He seemed to have a lot of support from YALI still since some people from the centre came for the event and were speakers there, and so it got me curious and I later went online to learn more. The next time applications opened for YALI East Africa RLC I applied since I was really looking to be mentored because i wanted to know how I could do more.

My job, the first after graduation, was not quite what I expected and it was not helping me to move any closer to my dream of being a part of ending poverty in Africa. I was desperately looking for somewhere I could grow and be challenged to do more and even learn more specifically what I could do. 

My YALI transformation did not disappoint! My experience at the Centre in Nairobi allowed me to meet young people who believed in Africa as much as me. They were passionate, daring, bold, innovative and living outside their comfort zones. Experiencing a lot of challenges but a lot of reward and fulfilment from their work. It was four weeks of living outside my comfort zone, learning and listening to real life stories of how young people are changing lives. It challenged me to do more. To not be afraid to start small, just as long as I start. I also know that I have people I can go to for support, ideas and encouragement.

I loved the outdoor team-building exercises just as much as the lesson I learnt in the centre. They taught me that impossibilities only exist in my mind and with the right support and focus I can do preety scary things!

I went to the RLC as a government worker with dreams way above my pay grade and I left convinced I could do more. The experience created a spirit of pan Africanism in me and I felt I wanted to work for more than just Kenya but for the continent. My desire is to be in a position to influence policy.

My YALI experience started me on a journey of self-discovery. I’m not there yet, but I have the tools I need chart a path towards making my contribution to making Africa great.