What do you do at Safaricom?

At Safaricom, I transform lives. I joined the organisation in 2018 as a Customer Experience Executive at Malindi retail shop. I then I transitioned to the call centre, where I’m still transforming lives through line 100.

What came first, your love for customer service or the pageant? And are they related in any way? (For example, in the path of transforming lives)

My love for customer service came first and it helps me to carry out my other passion in the art industry.They do relate; being a model, especially in the pageantry industry, I believe character speaks a lot. They way you carry yourself, how you talk to people, how you relate with different people says a lot about someone. I get to learn each day how to engage with different kinds of people of different calibre.

As a result, I learn how to carry myself well. Even though as a customer service agent, through line 100, we don’t really get face-to-face time with customers. But the perspective that I give them about Safaricom matters a lot. How I speak to them, how satisfied they feel, how I engage with and assist them enables me to create a good interactive experience in their heart and mind.

Your name Valencia means “strong” in Latin. How would you say you have exhibited strength in your life?

I’m thankful to my parents because they gave me an opportunity to discover myself. When I was five years old, I was taken to a boarding school in Meru far from my home in Kisii. I had no relative there and so, I had to grow a thick skin. I would have loved to be closer to my parents and get pampered, but I had to learn early on that my parents wanted the best for me. They wanted me to have a good life, good care and as many opportunities as possible.

My upbringing gave me a great foundation to handle whatever situation I find myself in.

Let’s now shift gears to your pageant work, as the current Miss Malindi 2022/2023 and Miss Albinism Africa (Kenya) 2022/2023, what are some of the projects your passionate about that you have worked on in your community, and how do they transform lives?

So far, I have successfully done two projects. I have a passion for kids. I love children unconditionally, which is why I always wish for great things for all the children that I meet. Naturally my first projects aligned with this passion.

Just last month I took 100 children from Green Olives Children’s Home Mtwapa to Cinemax to watch a movie. Why? I wanted to think outside the box and give the children an experience they’ve never had before. The day culminated in a talent show where the kids got to showcase their dancing and singing talents inspired by the movies we had watched. The second project was me hosting an awards ceremony earlier this year to appreciate talented individuals and groups of kids in Malindi. It was called the Kilifi Talent Awards. It was the first of its kind and really touched the hearts of those involved. My partners and I are planning to host another one by the end of the year, and to make it bigger and better.

When I got the Miss Malindi crown of 2022/2023, I had a vision to implement projects that empower the youth, especially in the art industry, and which enable them to monetise their talent and earn an income to curb harmful activities. During my tenure as Miss Malindi, I want to do a lot in youth empowerment before I hand over the crown to the next queen.

As a judge in the Miss Malindi Tourism 2022/2023, what is your own personal criteria about what makes a winning contestant?

First, confidence; second, eloquence; third, a good walk.

Outside of your queenly duties what else do you do?

I am also a musician and an actor, but “chini ya maji” (lowkey) as it is a profession you must create a lot of time for as you can’t understand a script and be productive in just one day. So, my main professions would be modelling, music and of course my job at Safaricom!

As a person with albinism, describe what you feel whenever you see more people with albinism on TV, in the arts or movies?

So, before we did the first pageant, which was in 2016, the way albinism was being perceived in the society was different in comparison to now. Previously, you would get a lot of stares as people wondered whether you are a ‘mzungu’ (white person) or someone with albinism. As you know there are a lot of myths surrounding albinism, some of them have to do with witchcraft and being viewed as an unproductive member of society. But since then, perceptions are changing. Nowadays, I can walk in the street, and someone will come up to me to tell me I am beautiful. This means society is starting to embrace people with albinism and it is a wonderful thing to see.

By creating opportunities for people with albinism such as pageants, movies and music and getting participants from different regions to be a part of them, you can counter the myths and showcase the beauty of people with albinism.

Is the country/world heading in the right direction in terms of albinism representation?

Yes, we are heading in the right direction, but there is still a lot to be done, especially when it comes to meeting the basic needs of people with albinism. There are a lot of basic healthcare needs people with albinism need for their everyday life such as regular eyesight checks, provision of sunscreen and proper clothing to protect their sensitive skin from the sun. In addition, proper schooling with updated curriculums and teachers who understand the needs of people with albinism is crucial.

This year’s theme for International Albinism Awareness is “Inclusion is strength”, what does that statement mean to you?

I believe people with albinism have a lot of passion and they have a lot of knowledge that they can utilise to impact society. I believe that the more opportunities we get to engage with even those without albinism, to work together and give our views, then you will find a lot can change.

For example, companies that employ an inclusive policy and hire people with disabilities find that even though they are placed in the same position as their abled colleagues they can offer a different and fresh perspective to the same problem. So, at the end of the day the goal is achieved.

Instead of leaving others out because of their disability, it is more beneficial to be inclusive as it makes for a stronger work and life environment.

What do you wish more people knew about people with albinism?

People with albinism are people just like anyone else. It is just the skin colour that differentiates us. All we wish for is to be given platforms to express ourselves and utilise our knowledge and abilities to transform lives.

Lastly, what is the motto that you live by?

Believe in yourself and be daring!

Disclaimer: This interview was edited for brevity.

#InclusionIsStrength #InclusiveFuture #AlbinismDay