MARY NJERI KABURU PERSONAL STATEMENT The success or failure of any construction project depends on the managing team. The need for expertise in construction of affordable housing in Africa and Kenya in particular gives me the urge to purse Masters in Project Management and John Moore University under Unicaf scholarship. Housing is a basic need in all household. As of 2022, 60% of Kenyans living in the urban areas live in substandard houses. The situation worsens in the rural areas. This is just a representation of the housing situation in African countries. My dream is that in the near future the situation can be solved. Though the Unicaf scholarship, my dream to help in affordable housing will come to be a reality. Since why early years of studies, construction industry has always been fascinating. I remember at the age of 8 helping my father to install electric cables in our house. During my high school years, I was almost certain I will be a professional in the construction field. I worked extra hard in Mathematics, Physics and Geography which according to me would enable me continue pursuing a degree in construction related field. I was active in internal and external contexts which I always emerged among the top students. Fast forward to University, I was selected to purse a bachelor’s degree in Quantity surveying. Since then my dreams are becoming a reality. Having completed my undergraduate education in the university of Nairobi, the only next step I should take next is a master’s degree. Liverpool John Moores University is a perfect option for my master’s degree. The university has a great library for all my research and it will help me achieve excellent academic grades. The program will help me grow professionally with great knowledge from tutors in the university. The Unicaf scholarship is helping the less fortunate I the society achieve their academic excellent. What a great opportunity for me to continue my studies under the program at the convince of my home country. The program will help me continue with my work gaining more experience in the construction industry and at the same time achieving academic excellence. Having a background in Quantity Surveying from the University of Nairobi, I understand the budget requirement for construction from the initial stage of project execution. The project budget is crucial in ensuring the project is complete without financial constraints and is up to standard. The government of Kenya is in the process of ensuring all Kenyans have access to affordable housing. Most government project in Kenya are completed at almost double the initial budget. This can be due to the poor project management among the team involved. Will the affordable housing project end up costing us double the budget disadvantaging the tax payers? As an expert in the construction field it is my role proper project management in my country. Coming from the central part of Kenya where most household are semi-permanent, I understand the need for standard and affordable houses in my country. Growing up in a cold region in Kenya, the worry of contacting pneumonia was every parent’s nightmare. With affordable housing thermal insulation in such household would be of great help. Having knowledge in remedies for your people is what I aspire. Giving solution to all Africans and ensuring everyone have access to a standard household customized to the region they live in would be a dream come true. Given a chance to further my studies in project management would only be the start to saving millions of Africans living in substandard housing. I am honored for the opportunity to study at Liverpool John Moores University under Unicaf Scholarship. This is a great chance for me to continue excelling academically for the benefit of my professional growth. I am committed to achieving the best and become an example to other Africans who dream of having a degree from the United Kingdom while studying online.
