cyber security , software development , etc .
Join An Organization
There are many organizations that provide opportunities for prospective board members to connect with the right organizations . One such organization in Kenya is the Women on Boards Network . This organization supports women to be represented on board . WOBN provides mentorship , board governance training , opportunities for networking and also share open positions on boards to members to take advantage of .
Seek Out The Right Opportunity
Serving on a board requires time and commitment . It is essential to assess whether the organization that you are interested in will allow you to grow and make a significant contribution , considering the strengths you would bring to the position .
I have had the honor of serving on several boards . While , I enjoyed and learnt great lessons serving on all these boards , serving on the board of Moving the Goal Posts Kilifi and Safaricom Foundation brought me the most joy as the impact to community was immediate , transformational and life changing .
When Founder of Moving the Goal Posts , Kilifi , Susan Forde , invited me to join the board , I did not know that I would serve for 6 years . MTG is a sports development organization that harnesses the power of football to mobilize girls and young women and then help them overcome the social obstacles they face in their daily lives . I was honored to serve on the board and lead the Audit Committee . MTG was a gift to me . I was able to experience how even in the face of social obstacles , it is possible to transform young girls lives . Early pregnancies , early marriages , school dropouts , poor access to education and high poverty levels pose a threat to the basic rights of girls and young women .
MTG is a beacon of hope providing scholarships for girls ( even those with children get a fighting chance to go back to school ), equipping them with information on reproductive health and rights , and economic empowerment by providing skills that enable sustainable income generation . Through great governance distinguished donors from Kenya and abroad keep
this organization running and making a difference in the lives of girls and young women .
On an annual basis over 10,000 persons are positively impacted by MTG . The community now holds MTG in high regard in providing opportunities both in soccer and economic empowerment to the young women in the community . It is extremely heart-warming to see a life transformed through the work of MTG .
I served on the board of the Safaricom Foundation as a trustee for 6 years . As a result , I was able to live and experience the true spirit of Safaricom and how the vision of transforming lives comes to life . The foundation gets funding from Safaricom Plc and executes its strategy in three strategic pillars - Maternal and Child Health , Economic Empowerment and Education .
Since its inception in 2003 , the Safaricom Foundation has impacted over 8m Kenyans across all the 47 counties . Over 3000 projects have been funded and implemented through strategic partnerships with implementation partners . Over Kes 7 billion has been invested to change the lives of Kenyans across the country . I had the pleasure of launching many projects . Witnessing the impact of these projects in community is a humbling reminder that we can all make a difference in service to others .
As I conclude , I would like to invite you all to seek an opportunity to serve . Mentor , coach , serve on a board , whether it is your former primary school board , a not-forprofit organization or a corporate firm . Terri Koslowksi put it beautifully . Serving others allows you to create ripples in the water of life that helps heal the world . It is powerful to serve others . Not just for the receiver , but also for you .
Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi is the Chief Consumer Business Officer , Safaricom PLC . You can commune with her on this or related matters on email at : Fawziakimanthi @ gmail . com .