I joined Mizizi Elimu Afrika as a Grants Intern in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and a solid grounding in financial reporting, budgeting, auditing and internal controls. What I wanted most was to see how those principles work in practice inside an organization committed to improving learning outcomes for children across Africa.
My internship has given me exactly that. Each week connects what I studied to what actually moves resources and has deepened my appreciation of how finance supports the work of getting children learning.
Working at Mizizi has shown me that behind every education programme that reaches a classroom is a grants and financial management system making sure resources are used responsibly, on time and as intended.
Learning why finance matters in development
Before joining Mizizi, I saw accounting as a technical profession centred on numbers and financial statements. My internship has changed that view.
At Mizizi, financial management is about far more than recording transactions. It is about accountability, transparency, and making sure resources reach the learners, teachers, and partner organisations they were intended for.
Every financial process feed into the organisation's ability to deliver programmes, sustain partnerships, and account honestly for what was spent and what it achieved. That has helped me understand the role finance professionals play in advancing education across the continent.
Gaining hands-on experience in grants management
One of the most useful parts of my internship has been supporting grants administration. I have helped prepare and manage re-grant contracts, upload agreements through DocuSign and make sure they move efficiently through approval workflows.
Re-granting is how Mizizi works through national and local partners rather than around them, so the contracts I help process are what move resources to organisations closer to the children they serve. These tasks may look administrative, but they have taught me that effective grants management depends on precision, compliance, and strong documentation.
I have also supported compliance work by organising and reviewing the documentation required to meet donor and organisational standards, which has reinforced how accurate record-keeping matters in staying audit-ready.
Through this work, I have built practical skills in grants management, donor compliance, digital workflow systems, and records management.
Building financial management skills
My internship has also given me exposure to how a development organisation runs its finance operations. I have supported payment processing for the Tenda Wema Scholars Programme and consultant invoices by preparing output analyses, verifying supporting documentation, and facilitating approval workflows through ApprovalMax.
Behind each of those payments is a scholar staying in school or a piece of work delivered, and a set of controls making sure the resources were used as agreed.
Beyond sharpening my technical accounting skills, this has strengthened my understanding of financial controls, accountability, and the value of following structured approval processes.
Developing analytical skills through financial report reviews
Another part of my internship has been reviewing financial reports submitted by implementing partners.
The work involves verifying expenditure against approved budgets, reviewing supporting documentation, and identifying areas that need clarification. It has been a practical lesson in reading a report closely and knowing which questions to ask.
Each review has strengthened my analytical thinking and shown me how accurate financial reporting underpins partnerships between organisations working towards the same goal.
Learning beyond my daily responsibilities
Some of the most valuable lessons have come from outside of my regular duties.
Sitting in on internal audit meetings has given me insight into governance, risk management, and organisational accountability. Weekly resource mobilisation meetings have introduced me to the strategic side of fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development.
Training on the Grants Management System has expanded my understanding of how digital platforms improve grant tracking, reporting, and compliance.
Together, these experiences have shown me how grants, finance, programmes and resource mobilisation work as one system rather than as separate departments.
Growing as a development professional
Beyond technical skills, this internship has helped me grow professionally.
Working alongside colleagues across grants, finance, programmes and resource mobilisation has strengthened my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. I have learned the importance of asking questions, managing competing priorities, and collaborating to reach shared goals.
I have also come to see that people who do this work well combine technical expertise with integrity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Looking ahead
As my internship continues, every contract I prepare, payment I support, financial report I review and meeting I attend adds to my professional growth.
My time at Mizizi has shown me that grants management and development finance are not simply administrative functions. They are what allow programmes to be delivered, partnerships to hold, and results to be trusted.
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues while contributing to an organisation working to transform education across Africa. This internship is building the knowledge, confidence and practical skills I need for a career in grants management, development finance and partnership work.
For students and recent graduates interested in this field, I would encourage you to look for opportunities with organisations doing this work on the continent. It is demanding, the learning does not stop, and it offers something beyond professional development: a chance to contribute to change that lasts.
