For the past year, I have worked as Project Lead under Ntha Foundation on the World Bank funded Digital Malawi – Digital Skills for All project as operationalised on behalf of the Malawi Government through the Public Private Partnership Commission.
This has been one of the most fulfilling paths for me, and I did not anticipate for it to come to an end so soon.
I have grown and learnt so much in this journey, and as I step away from operational and managerial roles for a bit of a while, I reflect on the wonderful journey that has been, and the things I have learnt. Below, a few of the lessons and highlights:
1. Managing 20+ people at a time
Managing people is something I always thought would be easy – because I generally think I am good with people. I was managing >10 fulltime staff, more non-permanent staff and other stakeholders and partners.
I was not prepared to navigate all the dynamics of working with independent and autonomous beings. As a person who is a natural high-performer and very delivery oriented, navigating professional relationships with people who approach life and work differently from the way I do has been absolutely interesting, and a learning curve for me. I am nowhere close to mastering it, and I hope to get better in time.
2. Project Management, Report writing, and Monitoring & Evaluation
I have academic experience in project planning, management and monitoring & evaluation. This was however my first shot at executing a project which was being monitored, and had outside stakeholders. Every day was a learning curve, and the amount of growth I have gotten in the past year surpasses some many years of learning I have had in the past.
3. Setting up and outfitting hubs
Setting up and outfitting hubs is a fun experience. When Digital Malawi told me that I had to set up a tech hub, I was not particularly up for it. I have always wanted to set up a hub; or an innovation and creative centre. As per my plans, this was a 5-10 year plan; but I think by now we know a thing or 5 about my 5 year plans. We have started constructing the Mangochi centre, and I am so excited for the growth ahead.
4. Creating a syllabus (and a whole virtual school)
For some reason, it never occured to me that creating an e-learning platform would very much mirror the creation of a school, but virtually. I have prior experience setting up schools (Secondary and Primary school) with my parents’ businesses, but I have not had any experience creating a virtual school, and in particular a whole syllabus. There has been so many moving parts (from hiring talent to creating the courses we want), and I have learnt so much in the process.
5. Creating Websites
A few months into my journey, I discovered WordPress themes. That, summed with my decade of experience with WordPress (backend) made it so easy for me to learn website management and branding. I started developing websites for clients using CMS platforms, and realised I am actually very good at this.
6. Teamwork and Delegation
For the longest time, I have worked on this dream alone. For whatever reason, I did not realise that working with a bigger team, and particularly trusting other people to do good work would be challenging. In the earlier months, I struggled with delegation, but overtime have become relatively good at entrusting and leading my team to do the right work. There is still room for development for me there.
7. Writing e-mails
One specific thing I realise I have learnt in project management and implementation is how to craft a good email. I write emails for pretty much a living now, and I have learnt to communicate better, and relay my communication in an objective manner that gets my message across. Something that seems quite simple, but I have learnt is also quite an art.
8. Managing investments
This having been the first grant Ntha Foundation was awarded, I also had to learn how to better invest the funds, for the sake of sustainability. It has not been an easy task, but on most days I know we are doing a fairly good job and heading in the right direction.
9. Teaching (kids in particular)
I did not at all expect teaching kids to be my most favorite part of the entire journey. Our Digital Malawi and Digi Savvy Africa learners have mostly been young people under the age of 18 (some as young as 6 years old); and teaching them is just the most fulfilling thing!
10. Networking and making connections
I have also been able to develop my networking skills. As someone who is actually quite guarded and reserved, I struggle to network and make meaningful connections. I have gotten better at this, and have built a wonderful network of younger and older professionals around me.
I am so grateful to the Government of Malawi, for having taken a chance on a young entrepreneur, and I am certain that the future of Malawi is young. The future is digital, and dare I add, the future of Malawi is female.
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