Meet Terry Wangesi, aspiring freelance writer, mother of a two-year-old, and one of our RefuSHE students in Nairobi

Terry is one of the 67 students starting their freelancing journey in Nairobi, Kenya. She joined Konexio’s Digital Inclusion Program (DIP) in January 2023, which trains young women in digital literacy and online freelancing. We asked Terry to share her perspective on the DIP and what it means for her future. Terry’s responses have been lightly edited for clarity and accuracy.

Qn: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
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Terry: My name is Terry Wangesi. I am 24 years old, living in Ngong, Kenya. I am a Kenyan mother to a 2 year old boy. My aspiration is to be computer literate and be able to earn from the digital freelance space.

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Qn: How did you come to join the digital freelancing program?

Terry: I learned about the program from a friend who has graduated. She encouraged me to join so that I can be able to support myself and my son. 

Qn: What was your motivation for joining this training?
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Terry: To acquire digital skills. These days everything looks like you need to work with a computer. I want to be prepared.

Qn: What skills do you look forward to learning in the DIP? How will you use these skills?

Terry: I look forward to learning digital skills, and I’ll use them to earn a living. The trainers have told us to test out typing on TypingMaster [which teaches fast-touch typing]. I am enjoying this very much and want to gain typing and writing skills to become a freelance writer. 

Qn: What impact do you think the DIP will have on your life?

Terry: It will help me to become independent and support myself and my son. It is very difficult when you are a young mother struggling to provide for your son. When he gets sick it is a big problem. 

Qn: What profession would you like to focus on in the future of freelance?

Terry: I want to become a freelance writer. When I was in school I enjoyed writing stories and poems. I saw that there are opportunities to do freelance writing and earn income. I want to try that.

Qn: What parts of the program have you enjoyed the most so far?

Terry: I have most enjoyed acquiring new skills and learning about the opportunities available for me to make money online from the trainers.

Qn: What are the next steps for you after this training?

Terry: I want to research and look for clients on freelance websites and learn new ways to make a living using the skills and computers I will get after graduation.
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