On the 16th of September, Bukachi Onjote and Valentine Ojiambo Walekhwa joined Karibu as our student interns.
Since then, they have been getting to know the foundation, our approaches and the different parts of Karibu’s work. Over the coming months, they will be an active part of the foundation, contribute their own perspectives and experience, and learn more about participatory grantmaking, civil society and international solidarity in practice.
Bukachi Onjote
Bukachi is from western Kenya and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Nordic Social Policy and Sustainable Development at OsloMet. He also holds Bachelor’s degrees in Global Development and Instrumentation and Control Engineering, and brings experience from community initiatives, project management, sustainable tourism, communication and student leadership.
What drew Bukachi to Karibu is his interest in alternative approaches to development and in questions about whose knowledge, voices and priorities shape decisions in the Global South. During his internship, he will also work on his Master’s thesis in close collaboration with Karibu.
“I am particularly looking forward to learning more about participatory grantmaking and how it can shift power towards the people and organisations receiving support. I also hope that my Master’s thesis will become a useful resource for the foundation and contribute to its work and future learnings.”
Valentine Ojiambo Walekhwa
Valentine is originally from Kenya and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). His studies and professional experience have taken him through Kenya, South Africa and Norway, including work in education, operations coordination and diverse international environments.
Valentine was drawn to Karibu by its work with civil society actors and social movements in the Global South, and by its focus on international solidarity and shifting power in grantmaking. During his internship, he hopes to contribute through research, writing, communication and coordination.
“I am looking forward to learning more about participatory grantmaking and how partnerships can create greater space for locally rooted knowledge, priorities and decision-making. I am also excited to contributing through my interest and experience in research, writing, communication and coordination.
We are very happy to have Bukachi and Valentine with us and look forward to the perspectives, questions and contributions they will bring to Karibu in the months ahead!