MY JOURNEY WITH SKILLSHARE INTERNATIONAL BOTSWANA: Ten Years Rocking with Skillshare And Turning Fabulous 40

What an awesome blessing God has granted to me this year 2021. Mind you it wasn’t a smooth path for me to be 10/40 with Skillshare.

My name is Mogogi Leburu a Motswana lady from Serowe. Working for Skillshare International Botswana as the Center Coordinator. I started working with Skillshare International Botswana in 2011 as a computer lecturer, after completing my BSc in Computers in 2010. The Job came as a blessing from one of my former tertiary classmates who sent the advert to me and encouraged me to try my luck. Guess what, the luck turned into reality, I got the job.

The first time I came to Skillshare offices in Dukwi Refugee Camp, I was amazed by the warm hospitality I got. Everyone was nice and caring, I mean from the security guard to the Centre Manager. “They are just pretending in order to make me feel welcome, people cannot be this good,” I said to myself as I have never seen such friendly people in the entire organisation. I waited for the pretense to change, but people became nicer and more caring. I started enjoying my work as well as the sport light as I was the only Motswana in the center (excluding my Director who was based in Gabs). Something that made Skillshare unique and Special, was the diversity of nationalities, and yet working in harmony.

I started at Skillshare as a Computer lecturer in 2011, earning just a small salary, but I thanked God it was keeping me going and yet getting experience. My friends and some of my family members discouraged me to take the Job “How can a degree holder earn so little?” so they said.  I turned a deaf ear. To God be the glory, in 2012 I was promoted to HoD Computer Department, salary increment. I was chosen by Madirelo Training and testing Centre to be part of the panel setting exams, I was chosen for marking, Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA)selected me to be part of the Task Force which was setting the Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Unit Standards (blessing after blessing). This is when I realised that God has imparted something great in me, that I didn’t yet discover. I started believing in myself, gaining more confident, and feeling the urge to learn more. This is when I decided to further my studies in 2014.  

In 2015 a great blessing crossed my path, I was promoted to the post of a Centre Coordinator, the post I hold today. When the Director delivered the news, I was scared as it came unexpectedly. I was speechless, sweating, felt like she was inhaling all the oxygen and it felt like I was gasping for the little oxygen she left. “Don’t be scared I will be there to support you, I know you are capable and I have been observing you, and hei, I don’t expect you to respond now.” She said and I felt a huge load leaving my shoulders. I still remember her words, word by word as if she just said it to me. I accepted the position, which wasn’t easy and still not easy to date. But with the support, I got from the Director, the respect I got from the staff, who are also hard workers, made things easier. I grew into a strong, caring, hardworking beautiful Mrs. Leburu because of Skillshare team. We have been there for each other and giving all to the refugee community with the strength we derived from each other and guidance from the All-mighty.

Thank you Skillshare for turning me into the strong woman I am today, as well as being there for me when I added the R into my MS to be MRS IN 2018. This year 2021, I am turning 10 years working for Skillshare and celebrating 40 years of age (40 and Fabulous) what a blessed journey.