“It gave me so much confidence. Now I know I can travel anywhere, start conversations with anyone and walk into a room and present without hesitation. I feel more confident in myself to be able to do anything.” - Tayba, HerStart International Fellow
Fellowship Alumni Spotlight: How Tayba Grew in Uganda
By Eesha Nasir Chaudhry | Uganda
Author: Eesha Nasir Chaudhry, previous YCI staff member
When Tayba applied to join the very first cohort of the HerStart International Fellowship, she wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. She had studied and interned in international development, but social entrepreneurship? That was uncharted territory.
Fast forward 2.5 years, she’s now teaching English to newcomer adults in Toronto, has just wrapped up her Master’s in Education and is designing courses that merge her passions for development and education. 🙌
And it all started with 6 unforgettable months in Mpigi, Uganda.
Tayba (fourth from the left) with other HerStart Fellow alumni and YCI staff at a networking event in Toronto.
From U of T to Uganda
Before the HerStart Fellowship, Tayba’s path had already taken her across continents. She completed her undergraduate degree in International Development and Health at the University of Toronto (U of T), had an internship in Tanzania and began a master’s program – before COVID-19 brought it all to a screeching halt.
“I actually did a virtual internship with YCI first during the COVID-19 pandemic before I did the HerStart Fellowship,” she shared. “After I finished my internship, I saw a call [for fellowship applications] and I thought because travel had finally lifted, I can go abroad, get experience and make an impact there.”
Her previous experience had focused mainly on global health, so the idea of using social entrepreneurship as a tool for development intrigued her.
“I thought it would be cool to learn something new, while still applying my knowledge and skills to the role I was placed in,” she said.
Life as a HerStart Fellow
Tayba applied to be a Volunteer Engagement Fellow (a previous role that has evolved into the Program & Partnerships position). On the ground, she quickly realized her role would be bigger and more diverse than expected.
“There wasn’t a Communications Fellow in Uganda at the time, so I took that role on, too,” she said. “I was running monthly workshops with fellows across countries, helping with entrepreneur trainings and even creating new sessions like one on women’s rights and responsibilities.”
She also reimagined how future fellows could settle in and hit the ground running. “I helped develop a scavenger hunt map for fellows to get to know Uganda and updated the orientation plan for incoming fellows,” she said.
Tayba soon discovered that living in Mpigi was also going to be a learning curve. “Kampala is a city like Toronto, just smaller and greener. Mpigi is very remote. You’re taking boda bodas instead of Ubers and shopping in small local markets,” she said.
Although adjusting to such a different living context could be challenging some days, silver linings still shone through as she started to immerse herself in the strong sense of community. “A lot of people in Mpigi spoke English, and even the ones that didn’t speak English, you were able to interact with, pointing out what you want and what you don’t want… They have tourists and volunteers that come from different countries, so people are used to interacting with foreigners.”
From monthly check-ins with fellows to bridging communication between the in-country team and YCI Canada, Tayba’s work left a mark that extended beyond her own fellowship.
Tayba (third from the left) and other HerStart Fellows outside YCI’s partner office in Mpigi.
Overcoming Hurdles
She admits the first month was the hardest.
“We were the first fellows in the program, so there were challenges we didn’t know would happen, like power outages that sometimes lasted days and limited office supplies,” she said. “Even with my previous experience in East Africa, adjusting took time.”
There were moments she questioned whether she wanted to stay the full term. “In the beginning, I thought, ‘No way am I staying longer than the placement.’ But by the end, I was asking if I could extend my contract,” she laughed.
Her advice for adapting and thriving in new contexts?
“Patience, a good support system, constant communication and just being resilient. Things get better with time; it’s the natural flow of things, but you learn how to navigate local transport, where to shop and how to get around.”
The Power of Community
When she looks back now, it’s not just the projects she remembers, it’s the people.
“The fellows I met have become really good friends of mine. Some of them are even still integrated in my friend circle,” she said. “And then there’s the in-country team — Stella, Plaxeda, Betty and Sharon — people who made my experience a lot better.”
Her role in onboarding new fellows also deepened those bonds. “One group came in just a few weeks before I left, and I still keep in touch with them as well.”
Discovering a New Career Path
The fellowship didn’t just build skills, it changed Tayba’s career trajectory.
“Supporting the [entrepreneur and fellow] trainings made me realize I love teaching adults,” she said. “When I came back, someone suggested I get my CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Cambridge University. I’ve now been teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to adults for over two years, including immigrants and refugees.”
She’s found creative ways to bridge her education background with what she’s learned from HerStart. “I developed a workshop on social entrepreneurship for ESL learners, and for my Master’s degree, I designed a 5-week course on how to integrate social entrepreneurship into a Canadian context for adult learners.”
HerStart also gave her a self-esteem boost she still carries.
“It gave me so much confidence,” she said. “Now I know I can travel anywhere, start conversations with anyone and walk into a room and present without hesitation. I feel more confident in myself to be able to do anything.”
Tayba sitting with women social entrepreneurs after a training in the Mpigi office.
Advice to Future Fellows
For those wondering if HerStart is for them, Tayba’s advice is simple:
“You should do it. Everyone should do it. It’s honestly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I feel like at some point in your life, you should travel by yourself and live by yourself. It helps you grow as a person and can help you grow in your career.”
She also encourages challenging personal beliefs and preconceived notions. “Don’t expect it to be like Canada; things move slower, and that’s okay. Go in with an open mind and no expectations. You might end up making some really good friends along the way.”
And for anyone hoping to make an impact?
“Start local before you go global. Volunteer in your own community first, that’s how I started actually, then explore internships or fellowships abroad. And make sure you’re not just doing voluntourism. Make sure your work is making a real, sustainable impact.”
Looking Back
When asked to sum up her experience, Tayba didn’t hesitate:
“Amazing. It changed the trajectory of my career.”
Today, she stays connected to YCI through workshops and events, seeing it as a bridge between her current work in education and the international development sector. And while her career has taken her from boda boda rides in rural Uganda to classrooms in downtown Toronto, the lessons and friendships she gained continue to shape her journey.