For Martha Nkangi, a third-year Data Science student at the Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences (SIMS), the transition from the classroom to the field was driven by both strategy and a desire to make a meaningful impact. In February and March 2026, Martha completed her Service-Based Learning (SBL) placement with the Uganda Red Cross Society at its Kampala East Branch. The experience, she says, can best be described as intriguing.
Martha recognized the value of working with an internationally respected organization, believing that its reputation would strengthen her professional profile. Having previously volunteered with the Red Cross while in high school, she was also familiar with the organization and anticipated a smoother placement process.
“I was fortunate enough to find that they had previously worked with a Strathmore student who had impressed them. That made them eager to work with me too,” she shared.
While Martha entered the placement with certain expectations, a reality that proved far more complex but highly rewarding. Her induction was rigorous, requiring extensive reading on health services, road safety, accident response, and first aid before she could participate in field activities.
“I initially imagined that most of the work would involve singing and playing with children,” she recalled. “Instead, it exposed me to a wide range of environments and responsibilities.”
One of the greatest challenges she faced was managing negative public perceptions of the Red Cross. Some community members held longstanding grievances against the organization, making engagement difficult. These encounters pushed Martha to develop conflict-resolution skills. She learned to listen actively, acknowledge people’s concerns, and empathize with their experiences before attempting to communicate her message.
The placement also demonstrated the practical relevance of her academic studies. Martha found that the communication skills she had learnt in class were invaluable in helping her read non-verbal cues, build rapport, and adapt her approach to different audiences. Equally important was her background in Data Science. She applied her knowledge of data collection, extraction, and transformation to compile detailed reports for her supervisors. Over the course of the placement, she noticed a significant improvement in both the quality and professionalism of her report writing.
What made the experience particularly intriguing was the constant exposure to new environments and perspectives. On any given day, she could find herself visiting elite international schools or working in underserved market communities. One of the moments that left the strongest impression on her was witnessing the poor hygiene conditions in some local markets, where men and women shared limited sanitation facilities.
“Observing the living conditions was an eye-opening experience for me,” she reflected.
These experiences challenged her assumptions and deepened her understanding of the social issues affecting many communities.
Beyond the field experiences, Martha’s time with the Uganda Red Cross opened valuable networking opportunities. Within the organization, she built strong professional relationships with her supervisor and colleagues. In the community, her positive interactions with students led several teachers to request her contact information; she remains in touch with them.
She also attended various Red Cross events, further expanding her professional network. These connections aligned closely with her long-term career goals. Martha intentionally chose the Red Cross as a stepping stone toward opportunities with other international organizations, such as the United Nations. In addition to networking, she completed a series of short courses at her supervisor’s encouragement and is now certified in Community Engagement and Accountability by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) through its online learning platform.
Ultimately, Martha’s SBL experience was far more than a resume building exercise. It was a transformative journey that strengthened her skills in communication, time management, professionalism, and empathy. More importantly, it bridged the gap between her technical training in Data Science and the complex realities of serving diverse communities, leaving her with lessons that will continue to shape both her career and her perspective on the world.
Article written by Maitethia Doreen, Communications Administrator, Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
