Elizabeth’s Mentoring Journey
It’s the start of December and we have just passed the half way point of our second virtual mentoring programme! In this interview with Daisy from Routes, current mentee Elizabeth shares her thoughts, experiences and reflections on her mentoring journey so far…
Daisy: How did you hear about the programme and why did you sign up?
Elizabeth: I heard about Routes from my close friend, who in turn had heard about it from another friend of ours who had attended the programme before. I signed up to the Mentoring programme for self improvement.
I hope to be a better woman than I was before I joined the programme. A better communicator, writer and public speaker. All these are life skills that I will continuously use at university, the work place, at home, with friends among others.
D: What were you thinking before you met your mentor for the first time?
E: I was shy nevertheless I was excited about meeting a new person, working together and learning from each other, sharing bits and pieces of our life stories and goals.
My Mentor was happy about meeting me. For me, she’s the epitome of humility. Always smiling. Hardworking. Patient. A great listener. A problem solver. I could go on and on and on and on…
D: What are you working on with your mentor?
E: We are working on achieving my goals, that is improving my communication, writing and public speaking skills. For example, we do book reviews where we talk about the books we have both read at every meeting. This has helped in improving my grammar, public speaking and communication.
And also we both recently found out that we are into knitting. Yay! We’ve shared our different pieces of work at our meetings. I always look forward to them.
We continuously meet bi-weekly for one hour. My mentor and I have been able to work on my Personal Statement, a Hardship Fund application and also help with looking up several universities and have gone ahead to apply. Currently we are working on scholarship applications.
D: Have you faced any challenges in your mentoring so far?
E: The fact that we are unable to meet in person is challenging as this only leaves us with the option of meeting virtually. This is great although technology comes with its own network issues especially with weather changes such as during or after a heavy downpour, windy situations too.
D: Why do you think mentoring is important?
E: I think mentoring is important especially for women seeking safety because it provides a sense of direction, healing and comfort. It is like a drawing board you always go back to re-trace, re-evaluate, rebuild, re-design and restore your steps so as to achieve your goals. Like fuel that propels you out of your comfort zone and move towards being a better person.
Mentoring is that one safe space that shields you from the storm when you are in a hard place. It is where you meet other women/people with arms stretched out wide to you, encouraging you, praying for you, working with you and cheering you on at the end of the valley’s rim. Sometimes, they bend and break the rules a little so as to comfortably suit your needs along the journey.
When we began this adventure called “womanhood’, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. We are stronger together!
D: What would you say to someone who wanted to join the programme as a Mentee or as a Mentor?
E: I would encourage them to register and join the programme and also invite as many other women as possible to do the programme too, as this will help propel them to greater heights.