Member Stories

Club Africa members share their business experiences with you! How did they get their start? What were their key learnings in setting up their business in Africa?

An interview with the first winner of the ‘Picture This!’ contest

Pernille Bærendtsen “We have a lot to learn from Africa”

Pernille Bærendtsen is the first winner of the ‘Picture This!’ photo contest on FlyingBlue Club Africa. Her winning entry (as displayed below) portrays a Tanzanian woman, enjoying a wedding party in a small village in Tanzania. To Pernille Bærendtsen, this photo represent a realistic view of African people. “In this case: happy and in touch with life.”

According to Pernille everyone can have his own specific view Africa, as it “depends on how you wish to see Africa. The picture embodies the image I personally have of ‘Africa’ and as it won this competition, I assume the members of Flying Blue Club Africa share my view.” On her blog, Pernille (a Communication Consultant in Århus, Denmark), informs us that she is “passionate about Africa, open horizons, long-distance driving & loud music and photography.” We asked her to elaborate.

Where does your love for Africa come from?

“I have spent five years in Africa working for a Danish NGO. From 2005 to 2007 I was situated along the Ugandan border to Southern Sudan working with refugees on the Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan. The aim here was to prepare the communities to return home, and prepare for the referendum. Then from 2007 to 2010, I worked as Information Officer based in Dar es Salaam where I was responsible for communication, publications, photography, fundraising and campaigning tasks for the country office as well as the training of local civil society organisations in Tanzania, and for the head office in Copenhagen.”

Having been a development worker in these areas must have been an interesting experience?

“Yes, in my five years on the African continent I definitely learned a lot from all the people I´ve encountered and worked with, in every way possible. Compared to a job in a Danish office, a job in Africa is more challenging as you will have to use every one of your personal qualities to do a good job. In that sense, to me, there is no way a university study or an office job in Europe can compete with real life experiences in Africa.”

What has working in Africa given you in return?

“It was a lesson for me, of course. For one thing the people that I worked with there were a lot more patient than I am! In general, that is a big quality that I have found among the Ugandans, Sudanese and Tanzanians, I realized that patience and perseverance are unique. Something I´ve tried to incorporate in my own life ever since. Another thing I found extremely rewarding, was to notice that the people I worked with really valued my personal and professional qualities because of me as a person and not just because I have a contract with an international NGO.”

Seems like you will go back someday…

“I’ve spent about a year in Denmark now, and yes I’m ready to return. Preferably to Tanzania, which is the place that feel the strongest connection with. So yes, I definitely see myself going back there.”

To make a difference, to change Africa?

“I have no illusions like: ´let’s-go-and-change-Africa´, as I think many Europeans underestimate the continent´s own potential and in return overestimate their own role. It is not like you can just enforce ´change´, and I need to underline that whatever contribution I may be giving is always accompanied by respect of the continent and humbleness. I’m very aware that Africa has brought me much more, than I brought it.”

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