Meet our Country Director for Kenya – Mrs. Hanit Pollak-Pinto
“We always had participants coming from Kenya to Galilee Institute over the years, but after the change in the Kenyan constitution, we suddenly started welcoming participants from different parts of Kenya. I remember I had a group in 2013 with participants from different county governments and it was such a pleasure of getting to know them".
I am still in touch with GIMI graduates from different professional backgrounds including Governors, Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Vice Chancellors and senior managers of Banks, Ports, private companies and many other wonderful people.
How it all started
Dr. Joseph Shevel, President of Galilee Institute, saw that I had developed a special bond with our Kenyan participants and decided that I should experience Kenya first-hand. So in 2015, I found myself travelling to Kenya for the first time, with Dr. Shevel. It was a great opportunity to visit our graduates in their own country, some in their own counties.
I will never forget this experience. The Beauty – so many tribes with different cultures and beauty of their own and the incredible hospitality – always welcoming and warm, it makes you feel at home and I always long to come back.
So far I had the opportunity to travel to the Counties of Mombasa, Taita–Taveta, Turkana, Samburu, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu and Nairobi.
Tsavo West National Park
What I have experienced so far
Many of the various meetings held during my travels resulted in discussions on cooperation and tailor-made programmes for specific organisations in numerous areas related to capacity building. Participants came to different programmes in Israel, and left with ideas and even plans to implement these tools in their own organisations.
One example is a tailor- made programme for Turkana County Government on Water Resources Management, where 10 experts travelled to Israel for intensive one month training, because of a meeting we held with the Governor in Lodwar, Turkana.
One of the Highlights was signing an MOU with the Council of Governors in 2017 which was renewed again in June 2018 (you can read all about it on our website.)
However, Kenya is far too beautiful to be just about work. Visiting Tsavo West and Samburu National Reserves, getting a glimpse of the amazing wildlife even for a short while, in-between meetings, makes you appreciate the marvels of this country.
Samburu National Reserve
Another high spot is our graduate meetings. Both meetings at KCA University in Nairobi, were attended by over 100 participants. It is always a pleasure to catch up with our grads from over the years and revisit their experiences at GIMI and in Israel.
Graduate Gathering at KCA University Nairobi, March 2017
Next travel plans
Last time I was in Kenya was in March 2017. My goal is to come back in October/November, 2018 (God willing). I hope I will get to know as many new people and organisations as possible and to reconnect with all our Kenyan friends."
You can come and meet Mrs. Hanit Pollak-Pinto at our Institute, as a participant of one of our capacity building programmes. Find all details on our website.
