Hi and welcome

kelechi·May 23, 2020

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Hello! Welcome to Elpha Africa. Please introduce yourselves as you come in 👋🏽I am Kelechi Udoagwu, wearer of many hats. I hope we make genuine connections here and help each other navigate life/work/Africa issues 👭🏽

NashTheCoder·May 23, 2020

Hi , Thank you for setting this up... I am Naijeria( named after Nigeria) from Kenya . I am a fresh FullStack Developer graduate form CodeOp Barcelona. Transitioned into code after career in Digital Media Communications. I joined Elpha to network and build my career. Looking forward to connecting and supporting.

Kelechi·May 23, 2020

Hi Naijeria, pleasure to meet you! Wow, I love your name. Is it a typical name where you’re from? Or your parent just have love for Nigeria? I’m a tech and communications/content consultant. I also run Week of Saturdays (weekofsaturdays.com) and have been around the “startup scene” in Africa for years. I used to run a startup, long story. It’s so nice to meet you. I hope we help each other on our journeys. Is the covid situation affecting your work?

NashTheCoder·May 24, 2020

My Dad was travelling in Nigeria when I was born, I believe there was something about Nigeria that he loved. I have been to Lagos and Abuja too...and I must say I fell in love with the country too. Jollof rice and cat fish my fav food with fried plantain of course. I love the Week of Saturdays concept. I have was in the startup scene sometime back and thats how I got bit by the tech bug but because I has a young family, I pushed that dream to the back burner. Worked in the non profit sector , moved in to digital media (6 year stint), quit my job in Nov last year 4 days to my 45th birthday and joined a coding bootcamp in Jan of 2020. Now a Fullstack Engineer, I am in search for jobs. COVID-19 lock downs hit in the last week of bootcamp, I had to rush back from from Barcelona Spain. I had to take up a Marketing Comms job in the mean time due to need for money to pay bills in the mean time as I look for work as a Full Stack Developer. With the hiring freeze for most jobs , I think applicants looking for entry level positions are hardest hit. I am spending the time now building my dev portfolio. To link back to my start up idea and my new skills. I registered Mama Tech Limited , my idea is to run it as a tech start up that provides data driven tech solutions to empower women and girls in Kenya and beyond. I know that doesn't say much still in the ideation phase. I am curious to know about you running a start up. Lessons learned, I have been toying with the idea of getting my startup - up and running. I also run a blog, started while back Mum Loves Tech https://mumlovestech.com/ it is up for a revamp in the next couple of week. Looking forward to hearing more and exploring how we can support each other.

Kelechi·May 25, 2020

Oh my, there’s so much I want to reply to in your response. Maybe we have a virtual coffee date one of these days and just chat for some mins? :) I relate to trying to transition from comms to programming and I wish you all the best with it! Lucky you were able to get back home before the covid lockdown. Looking forward to collaborating and helping each other more. Seen you on IG 🤗🤗

NashTheCoder·May 25, 2020

Yes, I checked IG out... let have a virtual coffee date for sure...Let me know when...

Kelechi·May 30, 2020

Sharing my Calendly link with you!

rumbimak·May 24, 2020

Thanks so much for setting this up @kelechiI'm Rumbi, a Zimbabwean-born Brit. I started my career commercialising deeptech across Europe and the US and have recently transitioned to impact investing. I'm really passionate about early-stage investment and ecosystem building on the African continent - excited to connect with all the amazing African women here!

NashTheCoder·May 25, 2020

Welcome Rumbi, nice to meet you.

Kelechi·May 25, 2020

It’s so nice to meet you Rumbi!

ishimwemarielaure·May 25, 2020

This is a great initiative @kelechi. My name is Ishimwe Marie Laure, I am a Burundian 🇧🇮living and working in Kigali, Rwanda. I am a finance graduate and currently pursuing my masters in Project Management. Currently I am working as a finance associate in a tech start up. I joined Elpha because I wanted to connect and learn from other women in tech.

NashTheCoder·May 25, 2020

Welcome! Ishimwe...nice to meet you.

Kelechi·May 25, 2020

Perfect. It’s nice to meet you Marie! Glad to have you here.

Lydia·May 30, 2020

Hi Kelechi, I'm Lydia from Nigeria 😃 I am currently a freelance writer for Tech and Marketing brands.Currently, I am pursuing my Masters in literature, and juggling a 9-5. I am so happy you created this community and looking forward to connecting with you all.

Kelechi·May 30, 2020

Welcome Lydia, pleasure to have you join us! Elpha’s great!

MaryQueenie·Jun 02, 2020

Hi Elphas! Coming from Mauritius 🇲🇺 Anytime for an e- ☕️ 😊

Kelechi·Jun 11, 2020

Welcome Maryqueen :)

MaryQueenie·Jun 17, 2020

Sheila·Jun 11, 2020

Hi! I am Sheila Mbadi from Kenya. Currently doing my Masters program at Carnegie Mellon Univerity Africa in Rwanda. I am interested in Data Science and I'm happy to be here with you all.

Kelechi·Jun 11, 2020

Welcome Sheila! :)

Nefrititi·Jul 22, 2020

Hi @kelechi, I'm Elizabeth from Kenya. I recently co-founded a sector-specific fintech and we're in the seed stage. My background is e-commerce and marketing so I'm happy to meet you all and join the group. We're currently looking for a CTO so if anyone has a burning desire to enable education across East Africa, please get in touch!

NashTheCoder·Aug 01, 2020

Hi @ElizabethKaranja , I hope you are well. Welcome to Elpha, I am also from Kenya , a Fullstack Dev, tell me more about your initiative and what qualities and experience you are looking for the position of CTO.