“My journey at enke and how it changed my life”
Mellissa recently got an opportunity to go abroad and has left enke as the programs assistant, we had a chat with her to find our how her journey with enke has been. From being a Trailblazer Participant to being a programs assistant and interim manager while her manager was away.
Mellissa:
enke has played a significant role in my life, shaping my personal and professional growth. My journey with enke began in 2015 when I participated in the Trailblazer program as a high school student. This experience instilled in me a sense of self-belief and confidence that I had been lacking. The program’s curriculum, which emphasized self-discovery and personal growth, resonated deeply with me, and I found myself embracing the challenges and opportunities it presented.
After completing my matric, I pursued my university studies while maintaining my connection to enke as an alumni member. In 2019, I was thrilled to be selected for the Igniter program, which further deepened my involvement with the organization. As an Igniter, I had the privilege of mentoring young learners, and guiding them through their personal development journeys. This experience was incredibly rewarding, and it reinforced my desire to contribute meaningfully to enke’s mission.
In 2021, I was fortunate to secure a position as a Program Assistant at enke. This role allowed me to work closely with the organization’s staff and programs, gaining valuable insights into enke’s operations and impact. I cherished the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated individuals who shared my passion for empowering young people.
My time at enke was not without its challenges, but it was undoubtedly one of the most formative experiences of my life. I learned invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and resilience. I developed a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by young people and the importance of providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive.
My mom always says “you may forget someone’s name, but you can never forget what they did for you”. So with enke and with the people of enke, this is the kind of environment that we were trying to create at over time.
It’s all the things that we’ve done for one another even when I see like Nolwazi posts that Nontuli bought her a cupcake today that kind of love that we shared and those are things that you will take away remembering that that person did this for me even if you don’t know their name in between know that.
Most importantly, enke nurtured my personal growth and helped me discover my true potential. I emerged from my experiences with a newfound sense of self-confidence and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences enke has provided me, and I look forward to continuing my involvement with the organization in the years to come, it saddens me to leave enke as I applied to teach English in South Korea and I did all of that while I was at enke, and I gained a lot of confidence from the organization and the life lessons it teaches and enke was the perfect training ground for me. Because now I’m able to handle children I’m able to handle anything that comes my way because of the lessons because of the love because of the respect and transparency.
In closing enke has played a significant role in my life, shaping me into the person I am today. The organization’s values of transparency, open communication, and support have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. As I move forward in my journey, I carry with me the lessons learned at Enke. I am committed to keeping pushing forward, pursuing my goals with honesty and determination. I am also grateful for the support I received from Enke’s staff and colleagues, who encouraged me to grow and develop my skills.
enke has been a place of growth, support, and inspiration for me. I will forever cherish my time at the organization and the impact it has had on my life.
