Stephanie Odhiambo: Merck more than a mother award has boosted my resolve to be a journalist

I felt so honoured when I received a call from the CEO MERCK Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej, informing me of my win. I had not felt so happy in a long time and it gave me hope. I am still trying to wrap my head around it and I do not think I will be getting over it soon.

The win has really motivated me to write more. My major is electronic media and is more about TV and film but right now I feel like my calling is to write. I feel like writing is what I was destined to do. I will still continue to write during my free time.

Also read: KenyaCurrent.Com writer crowned in “Merck More Than a Mother” Media Awards 2017

I would forever be grateful to James Ratemo, Founder of KenyaCurrent.com, for giving me an opportunity to write for KenyaCurrent. The experience I got there was massive. If it was not for KenyaCurrent then I would not even had gotten the chance to know about the recognition awards. I am forever grateful to KenyaCurrent for believing in me.

Stephanie Odhiambo

I believe I am not yet in a position to advice budding journalists, because I am still budding and trying to find myself. One thing I can say though is, put God first and always trust the process no matter how painful it is. I will also urge my fellow budding journalists that you should never give up, everyone starts from somewhere.

I am still considering if I should venture to writing fulltime, but for now I think I should continue writing more news features, stories that would be of human interest. I also like writing opinions most of the time. I love speaking my mind. I also love interviewing people of interest and writing narrative profiles on them.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have been offered by MERCK Foundation to be trained on health reporting and ethics. Such opportunities come once in a while, considering we will be trained by among the best in Africa and Asia. The training will be an opportunity of a lifetime and I am so excited.

Merck Foundation starts its first Merck Health Media Training to Break the Stigma around Infertility in Africa

Also read: Merck Foundation unveils winners of “MERCK More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2017

Merck Foundation unveils winners of “MERCK More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2017