It’s almost time for my first trip of 2020, and this time I’m doing something a bit different.

I will be going to a small town in Kenya to do pro bono work at Msichana Empowerment Kuria. My trip has been arranged by Accounting for International Development (AfID) who organise placements for accountants and finance professionals in developing countries.

I started working as an accountant in 2008, straight after sixth form, where I then completed my AAT and ACCA qualifications while working in an audit role. Volunteer work is something I’ve always wanted to do but I know that sometimes traditional volunteer placements aren’t what they seem and don’t always help in the way intended. By doing pro bono work and using my professional skills and qualifications, I hope I can make a difference to Msichana Empowerment that will stay long after I’ve left Kenya.

AfID gave me four placement options and I chose Msichana Empowerment as women’s and girl’s rights is something I really care about and from everything I have read about them so far what they do is incredible. Their specific goals are to end female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, sexual and gender based violence and ensure access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Travelling in Africa is something I’m quite used to but living and working there is going to be completely different. I’m really excited to be getting the opportunity to experience a different side of Kenya from that I’ll see when I visit in August and can’t wait to get stuck in and see what I can do to help.