Authors: Melanie Adisa, Elina Sipilä
A Young Professional with Purpose
24-year-old Melanie Adisa joined Mifuko Trust as a project management intern in autumn 2025 while completing her Diploma in Business Administration at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Her passion for planning, teamwork and community development shaped her academic path and led her to Mifuko Trust, where she hoped to strengthen her skills through meaningful work.
“I’m really passionate about working with communities to bring about change that is not only impactful but sustainable,” she says.
Practical learning
During her internship, Melanie learned to turn classroom theory into practical skills. She supported project planning, tracked activities, entered data, cleaned reports, and helped coordinate tasks across teams.
“I’ve learned the value of effective project management and how small decisions can influence the overall project outcome,” she reflects.
Participating in trainings, management meetings and visits, like the Finnish Embassy in Nairobi, broadened her understanding of professional environments and boosted her confidence. Melanie also helped facilitate training sessions of Young Advocates in November, where she gave presentations on Kenyan advocates and cybersecurity.
“Watching and observing trainings of community members and later on having a chance to participate hands-on in the trainings was very insightful and important to me”, she highlights.
Working Alongside Shared Values
Working closely with the Kenyan–Finnish Mifuko Trust team, Melanie discovered how essential clear communication and collaboration are for successful project work. She appreciated the supportive environment where she could ask questions freely and learn at her own pace. She found the team dynamic to be inclusive and positive, creating an environment that made her internship not just a learning opportunity but a genuinely enjoyable journey.
Melanie also found that the work aligned deeply with her personal values. Being part of community-based projects that empower women, support families and strengthen rural livelihoods felt both purposeful and motivating. With everyone working toward the same goals, collaborating with the team was smooth, and the work felt meaningful. Additionally, she enjoyed seeing its impact taking shape directly at the grassroots level.
Outlook on the Future
Throughout her internship, Melanie faced challenges that pushed her to grow: from adapting to Makueni’s hot, dry climate to learning how to navigate conversations in the local Kikamba language. Yet these moments became turning points rather than obstacles. “As I conclude my internship, I am more resilient, a polyglot, and a more skilled professional, proving that challenges are only pathways to a better self", she says.
Looking ahead, Melanie is eager to build on this foundation by strengthening her skills in project management, research and data analysis. Her goal is to combine academic knowledge with hands-on experience so she can continue growing as a professional while helping drive meaningful, lasting change.
