Pinnovator Spotlight
"Barely six months into the job, I was sent to represent PIN at an international forum — in a country where the entire event was conducted in a language I do not speak. I adapted, I listened, and I came home with a lot more confidence than I left with."
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Samuel Ojezele
Senior Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)
Barely six months after joining PIN, I was entrusted with my first assignment: representing the organisation in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The event was part of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum, which featured in-person gatherings across 17 African countries.
It was an exciting opportunity, but it also came with an unexpected challenge: the entire event was conducted in Kiswahili, a language I do not speak. Despite the language barrier, I adapted quickly, stayed engaged, and connected with participants who helped me understand the key discussions. The experience taught me that meaningful participation is possible when we approach unfamiliar situations with openness, humility and a willingness to learn.
The assignment reflected PIN's trust in its people and its values of inclusion and collaboration. For me, it strengthened my confidence, deepened my appreciation for Africa's linguistic and cultural diversity, and reinforced the importance of stepping beyond my comfort zone.