I have utilized various University services, including the Careers Network, to explore opportunities related to my field of study and expertise. I am still actively engaging with these services to further my career prospects and discover additional job opportunities aligned with my expertise in disability rights and inclusion policy.

My most significant achievement during my course so far has been the recognition as the Chevening Social Media Ambassador among approximately over 1300 scholars.

Also, being appointed as the Postgraduate Ambassador at the University of Birmingham has been fulfilling.

Nonetheless, mastering independent travel to London and back to Birmingham while navigating multiple connecting trains and buses, stands as a personal triumph considering that I am a student with disability on a Mobility Scooter.

Lastly, building a robust network of professionals and experts through my engagement experiences has been immensely rewarding as I strive to achieve more and build formidable and lasting friendships and networks in the coming days.

1). My course offers an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge theories and practices in disability rights and inclusion policy.
2). I have access to a diverse and supportive academic community (lecturers and fellow scholars) that fosters critical thinking and collaboration.
3). The curriculum integrates practical insights and real-world applications, preparing me to drive meaningful change in the field upon completion in 2024.

The prestigious Chevening (FCDO) Award has been instrumental in supporting my academic pursuits and professional growth. The funding has provided me with invaluable financial assistance, enabling me to access quality education here at the University of Birmingham, UK and has empowered me to further my expertise at a global scale in disability rights and inclusion policies.

My journey towards postgraduate study has been shaped by an unwavering dedication to advocating for inclusive policies and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Africa. As the Founder and CEO of Ability Focus Africa (AFA), a non-profit organization committed to empowering PWDs, I have amassed over 15 years of multifaceted experience spanning public, private and civil society sectors.

I have had the honor of being a part of prestigious programs such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2023, where I delved deeper into Leadership in Civic Engagement at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, USA. Additionally, being recognized as a Chevening Scholar 2023/24 at the University of Birmingham, UK and the Chevening Social Media Ambassador further fueled my passion and determination in the realm of disability rights and inclusion policy.

My consultancy roles in UNESCO Youth Advisory Board and UNICEF Children and Youth With Disabilities Advisory Board have afforded me firsthand insights into the challenges faced by PWDs, arising from fragmented policy frameworks and organizational disparities. This direct experience propels my ambition to become a global disability rights and inclusion policy expert, spearheading impactful reforms for sustainable development in East Africa.

In my professional journey, I have held pivotal roles like the Public Policy Advisor for the British Council’s Next Generation Kenya Project and the DRR Focal Point for the UN Major Group For Children & Youth. My commitment to youth leadership, environmental advocacy and empowering future global leaders has been exemplified through my participation as a 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow and a Chevening Scholar 23/24.

In 2016, my engagements in international forums such as the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in resulted in the Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) adopting my some of my interventions into the MGS Final Statement that was passed in one of the 25 Resolutions adopted in the Final Plenary of the UNEA 2 Forum. These resolutions are the global guidelines, laws and policies governing environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigations.

Additionally, in July 2016, I became a fellow in President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) under the Civic Leadership Track. As the pioneer and coordinator of #COP10 (Community Outreach Program by cohort 10), I orchestrated a collaborative clean-up effort in Nairobi’s Majengo, one of the city’s largest slums. This initiative united global stakeholders and resulted in donations of funds, food, medicine and learning resources to the Malezi Children Center. Today, the Community Outreach Program remains an integral part of the YALI-RLC curriculum.

The fruition of my vision materialized in 2019 with the establishment of Ability Focus Africa (AFA), now comprising of over 350 members across Africa, actively contributing to society due to our mentorship programs and job recommendations for the youth.

Pursuing postgraduate study, particularly the MA Education (Inclusion & Disability) at the University of Birmingham, is my next stride towards equipping myself with the necessary knowledge and skills to drive systemic change and advance the rights and inclusion of PWDs in Africa and beyond.

#LifeBeyondLimits

My motivation for pursuing postgraduate study in MA Education (Inclusion & Disability) at the University of Birmingham stems from witnessing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Africa especially from my country Kenya. Despite the commendable progress in policy frameworks that aim to provide social inclusions of Persons with Disabilities, we still face a myriad of challenges in accessing inclusive quality education and employment of youth persons with disabilities in both the Private and Public Sectors. I have observed and identified significant hurdles in implementing the disability rights laws due to our opaque policy frameworks across government levels and organizational disparities, hindering concerted efforts and real-life applications for individuals with disabilities. My aspiration while studying at UoB is to become a global disability rights and inclusion policy expert, driving pivotal policy conversations and enacting meaningful reforms, laws, and regulations at a global level. I aim to contribute ‘one policy at a time,’ advocating for sustainable development and improved conditions for Persons with Disabilities globally but especially in the East Africa Region. This vision fuels my determination to pursue my cause through advanced education and specialized training.