Guest post by Vincent Nwulu
This summer, I had the opportunity to serve as a Systems and Compliance Fellowship Intern with Solar Sister, an organization whose mission and values truly resonate with me. My time here has been both a professional and personal growth experience, shaped by meaningful work, supportive mentorship, and a strong sense of community.
Working Closely with My Manager
One of the highlights of my internship was working with my manager, Omowumi, the Compliance Manager, who guided me with patience, encouragement, and a genuine willingness to share knowledge. Her cooperative and supportive approach created an environment where I felt both challenged and empowered. Every task became an opportunity to learn, and I greatly appreciated how she trusted me with responsibilities that had a real impact on the organization.
Exploring Systems and Building Support Structures
A significant part of my work centered around Solar Sister’s systems. I contributed to Salesforce-related tasks and supported country teams across Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Through this, I was able to see firsthand how systems play a crucial role in enabling efficiency and collaboration across borders.
In addition, I had the privilege of researching and coordinating effective training approaches for country teams. Designing these training resources allowed me to connect with colleagues from different regions, exchange perspectives, and contribute to strengthening operational capacity across teams.
Developing Operational Policies and SOPs
Another key area of my role was developing and refining operational SOPs and policies. I worked on important documents such as the Performance Appraisal SOP, Disciplinary SOP, and other internal policies that strengthen the organization’s compliance and governance frameworks. Knowing that these documents will serve as tools for efficiency, fairness, and accountability in Solar Sister’s operations was deeply fulfilling.
Finding Community and Support
Beyond the technical aspects of my role, what made this experience so meaningful was the people. Working with the Impact Hub team was wonderful, getting to know them, sharing ideas, and learning from their diverse perspectives made me feel part of a larger community. It reminded me that impactful work is never done alone but thrives in collaboration. I want to thank the teams in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, for their engagement and collaborations during the training sessions. Despite the seriousness of our tasks, there was always room for encouragement, laughter, and genuine connection. I also want to thank Natasha, the Impact Hub Director.
Values I Take Forward
Solar Sister’s values of sisterhood, trust, and grit were not just words on paper; I experienced them daily throughout my internship.
- Sisterhood: I observed how collaboration and support across teams fostered a sense of unity that transcended geographical boundaries.
- Trust: I felt trusted to take ownership of meaningful tasks, which strengthened my confidence and commitment.
- Grit: I learned the importance of persistence in research, problem-solving, and ensuring systems run effectively.
As I look ahead, I carry these values with me, not only as professional lessons but as personal commitments. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Solar Sister’s mission of empowering women and communities through clean energy.
This fellowship has been a transformative journey of learning, connection, and growth.