It is less than 24 hours before I am scheduled to begin my Advocacy Project fellowship. While the three days of training in DC last week gave me a fairly clear picture of what I will be responsible for this summer, I am still not sure exactly what to expect, on both a personal and professional level.

However, I am incredibly passionate about the work I’ll be doing this summer. Along with many of my colleagues, I am convinced that tapping into the intelligence, drive and ambition of African women is a prerequisite for sustainable development on the continent. Working with Vital Voices and WIMBIZ should provide me with invaluable insight into exactly what type of support business women in the region really need.  As much emphases has been placed in micro-finance in recent years, I have got a sneaking suspicion that a lack of financial resources is only one of the many obstacles women here face, but I am sure I will have a much better understanding of these issues come the end of August.

On a personal note, participating in this fellowship will also enable me to reconnect with my homeland. Although I was born just a few hours north of Lagos (in a city called Ibadon), I’ve spent a very small portion of my life here in Nigeria. This summer, I will spend more time here than I have since the age of 2. So there is no doubt this experience will change me. I cannot wait for the adventure to begin!