Profiles of Roothbert: Beryl Oranga
“I really want to share my story in the hope that it could encourage someone,” started Beryl Oranga, a Roothbert Fellow from 2018. Originally from a small town in western Kenya, Beryl now lives in New York City. Beryl recently received her PhD in Public and Urban Policy from the New School.
“If you’re an international student,” commented Beryl, “you have to prove to the government that you can financially support yourself for the visa.” Unfortunately, the sponsor Beryl had secured for her program withdrew during the second year of her doctoral program, and prospects for institutional funding were quite slim. “I didn’t know if I would be able to stay in school,” admitted Beryl. Faced with the cost of rent, food, and her coursework, Beryl started to doubt whether or not she would be able to continue her studies.
Beryl’s experience in urban settings informs her studies and contributions to urban policy. “I love my program. I’m really passionate about issues in developing countries. I like looking at the ways economic growth impacts the way people live their lives, whether through general welfare, access to water, or the sanitary effects of urbanization.”
Beryl’s initial introduction to an urban environment shocked her. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Egerton University, Beryl moved to Nairobi. “I ended up living in the slums because I couldn’t have a job. I did not have a computer to apply for work online, and I had to walk, leaving my house early in the morning, to hand deliver my CV.” Beryl grappled to understand how a college educated individual could struggle to find work and questioned the role of government in addressing Nairobi’s conditions. “My twin brother told me to put some newspaper under my shoes for some extra comfort,” recalled Beryl. “I questioned whether the government was really helping its people.”
While in Nairobi, Beryl and her twin brother were later abducted at gunpoint. “They put us in a trunk,” shared Beryl, “and they drove us to a coffee plantation.” Thankfully, Beryl and her twin brother were eventually released. The abductors swore that they were not bad people. Beryl reflects on the situation with empathy instead of anger.
“The people who abducted me were just trying to survive. They needed money for their families. When they let us go, they even guided us to the police station. People are pushed into this direction because there is no other way. There is something wrong with this system.”
Originally in the field of interior and architectural design, Beryl’s experience in Nairobi compelled her to pursue a career in urban planning and policy. “My clients were mostly wealthy, but the more I developed in professional design and project management, the more I wanted to research the quality of life in the slums.”
“You can’t just separate yourself from everything else around you. I saw two different sides of Nairobi and I thought to myself, ‘Is this how it’s supposed to be?’”
Beryl ultimately opted for a path of fulfillment in improving the lives of others. Beryl pursued a master's degree in Sustainable Development in Washington, DC, and later interned at the World Resources Institute to analyze the impact of public transportation systems on low-income communities. “I never knew about ‘blocks’ until I came to the United States,” admitted Beryl with a chuckle. Beryl solidified her interest and commitment to improving the lives of others through urban development through research in New York City and India, specifically in the area of housing.
Beryl did eventually finish her doctoral program at the New School, and she credits the Roothbert Fund for supporting her throughout her program. “Without the Roothbert Fund, I would have dropped out or had to have taken on additional jobs. With my visa, you’re not allowed to work in anything unrelated to your academic studies. There was only so much I could do, and this was a life saver.”
Furthermore, a grant from the Roothbert Fund signaled Beryl’s institution to invest more in her work and academic potential. “The New School gave me further funding after seeing that I had secured outside funding from the Roothbert Fund.” Beryl shared that she could not have chosen a better program, and she was elated to end up receiving the financial support she needed to continue her studies.
Currently an economist, Beryl provides the research and insight to devise policies for countries to develop land productivity and urban transport among other topics. “Mainly for me, the interest is finding ways for the government to help the poor.” Beryl has since married, and together they are raising their son. Beryl is an avid runner, speaking of double-digit-mile runs as if it were a casual, relatable part of life. Beryl continues to envision how to wield the public sector towards a higher quality of life during a time of unprecedented urbanization. Beryl is motivated by a self-driven need to improve the lives of others, and the Roothbert Fund is proud to have supported her journey.