Tess Bowman with Eva Mutete and other COP members at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison

Tess ‘Zawadi’ Bowman, a native of California is interning with Strathmore’s Community Outreach Program (COP). Her assignment on the fourth day of internship was COP’s visit to Naivasha Maximum Security Prison on Saturday, January 21st. She relates her experience here.

“Twenty-four hours, four cranberry juices, a few conversations with strangers, and two stops in Dallas and London later, I found myself a long way from California. My slightly travel-worn spirits were quickly revived upon arrival when I was greeted by ten smiling Strathmore students and staff at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

I had finally made it to Nairobi, and the next day I would head to the Community Outreach Program (COP) office to meet my new co-workers.

The welcome I have received at Strathmore thus far has been so warm that it seems it cannot be only six days since I arrived. Although I had been here for just three days, I was fortunate enough to travel with the COP family to Naivasha Maximum Security Prison this past Saturday. What an introduction to Kenya!

Continuing the support Strathmore has provided to the prison, COP brought hundreds of desks and chairs to the secondary school they have established there for inmates. This was only half the mission however; a highly anticipated soccer match between the inmates’ team and COP’s very own, COP FC, was also scheduled.

Some enthusiastic COP gentlemen had the early morning task of loading the lorry before departure. In two Strathmore buses nearly overflowing with energized students and staff, we finally embarked for Naivasha around 11:00 AM.

We arrived just before 1:00 PM. Word came that the lorry broke down, but it followed not far behind, arriving just before 2:00 PM. There were several measures to be taken before we were allowed to enter, it being a maximum security prison.

All jewelry was removed and men and women were separated in to two lines. Men were finger-printed and then we were all led past the first and second impressive barriers. Inside, over 1,000 inmates lined the large dirt soccer field already eagerly awaiting the match.

The warden and chaplain briefly showed us the school. As a newcomer to Strathmore and COP, I was deeply struck as the chaplain talked about the students’ progress, and the generous contributions Strathmore had made toward that end.

Chris Mbithi, Fidelis Wambua, Irene Maani, Rebecca Mahinda and Susan Omache

A number of Strathmore University alumni joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2011. PwC is one of the leading professional accounting firms specializing in providing Audit & Assurance, Advisory and Tax services. Some of the alumni shared their thoughts on SU.

Alumnus Christopher Mbithi King’oo graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Accounting major. He joined PwC as an Audit Associate.

“I owe a lot to SU. All that I have done and all I hope to do was nurtured at the university. Given a second chance, I would join SU to take advantage of the many opportunities available to grow,” Chris said.

Chris added: Most my colleagues at work are exceptionally talented professionals, but if they had an opportunity to be in Strathmore, I guess they would be a step ahead. VIVA STRATHMORE!

Irene Maani graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, Finance Major. She joined PwC Advisory, Human Capital.  Irene said: Being in PwC has been life changing thus far and I cannot wait to learn to grow more with them.

“At SU, I was equipped with both technical and life skills that helped me stand out in the race for this job. Many thanks to my lecturers, mentors and the Placement Office for equipping us with great intellectual and interview skills,” she added.

Rebecca Mahinda is taking ACCA at the University. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where she studied BSc. in Food Science and Technology. She is also an employee of PwC.

“Studying accounting at Strathmore gave me the confidence to believe in myself and launch a career in auditing and assurance. The abundance of resources on offer here continues to amaze me! Strathmore University is the place to begin your future in the corporate world,” she said.

“Getting the opportunity to work in PwC has been life changing and I am looking forward to learning and growing with them. I owe much to Strathmore University,” said alumna Susan Omache.

“Many thanks to my ACCA lecturers who put in so much effort to develop me to be the best I could get. With such dedication from the lecturers and staff at large, I am sure that Strathmore University will continue producing very good students who are well-rounded,” Susan added.