Auri Airisniemi: “Being with Ambitious.Africa has opened my eyes to a different narrative of life in Africa”

I am a business student at Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK for short) and found out about Ambitious.Africa through Campus Online. I had signed up to do a short term with the organization as I was interested in writing my thesis on the introduction of youth-based organizations to help underdeveloped countries’ poverty rates.

Unfortunately, the course was canceled but I was welcomed to be a part of Ambitious.Africa, to learn more about how I could best help African countries build themselves. 

I was so excited to find there was a Zambian team that would have me. I was born in Kitwe but have not been back much and I wanted to learn more about being Zambian; the culture and life are very different from Irish culture.

At first, I was part of the community with other interesting members from all over Zambia, then things got interesting when I asked to be a part of the Marketing Team for my internship.

“I am a creative person and want to work in a company that requires and provides versatility and has the need for its members to use their strengths whilst working towards a positive future. Ambitious.Africa gave me just that.” - Auri Airisniemi, Ambitious Zambia’s Team Lead

I worked under Nana Kalenge, the Head of Marketing of Ambitious Zambia, and also kept in touch with Tiia (Global Finance Team) throughout my internship. The tasks initially delegated to me were to do with writing, attending meetings, and providing input.

The organization encourages new ideas and innovations and being a small part of the team was an opportunity. There was open communication with all the core members, something I found very refreshing, and I had the ability to be heard and for my ideas to become something. 

My roles and tasks varied for the duration of my internship beginning with marketing and developed into being with the community and some small work with the Partnerships Team.

Towards the end of my internship, the Team Lead resigned and I took on the mantle of coordinating Ambitious Zambia. I am a creative person and want to work in a company that requires and provides versatility and has the need for its members to use their strengths whilst working towards a positive future. Ambitious.Africa gave me just that.

In the short months that I have been a part of the team, I have connected with other like-minded people and seen the hard work of only a handful of changemakers. 

I will continue to work with Ambitious.Africa because, honestly, it doesn’t feel like work. Being with the organization has opened my eyes to a different narrative of life in Africa, one that highlights the positive and encourages independent growth. I have met unique, driven, and colorful people and have been given amazing opportunities to learn from more experienced professionals.