Annie Gichuru is an independent content producer and is the founder of True Life Stories TV that airs on Australia's Foxtel.
In an interview with Alex Chamwada on November 9, 2019, Annie narrated that her journey into the world of media was not an easy one, revealing that she had to work hard to be where she is.
She stated that most people would think that a trip abroad is easy, but Annie advised otherwise.
"It's hard. I will not tell you it's wonderful. I think you got to have a passion and a drive, you have to know why you are doing it. Because there are times you knock on doors and people say 'no thank you'," Annie stated.
"When I came here I used to clean offices, it involved cleaning toilets, so you have to work hard," she advised.
Annie completed her Form Four education at Loreto Convent High School at Valley Road in Nairobi, before she relocated to Australia to pursue a degree in mass communication with a double major in journalism and public relations at Murdoch University in Perth.
She attributed the passion for journalism and the media to her childhood days when she adored personalities on TV, notably her idol, Oprah Winfrey.
"I developed a passion for journalism while growing up in Kenya. I drew my inspiration from Oprah Winfrey at the age of 10," Annie recalled.
"I loved it. I felt like I was inching closer to getting into what I always wanted," she added in reference to the opportunity to pursue journalism abroad.
However, upon completion, Annie realised that it did not turn out as she had planned. She was unaware of the hurdles that would later present themselves before her path.
She sought an attachment opportunity at a local media station in Perth, Australia but her efforts hit a brick wall.
"First and foremost, being the only person of colour when I went to a TV station and did an internship,I thought there was no way I could do it because there was no one who looked or sounded like me," Annie recounted.
"I don't want to stand out I want to blend in with the Australian culture," she confessed.
Annie was frustrated and opted not to pursue journalism further. She decided to go back to school where she studied a masters degree in human resource management.
She worked in publishing and the real estate sector prior to her feat at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation as a human resource advisor.
Annie later decided to make a comeback in media when an idea to produce positive content crossed her mind while she was on maternity leave with her first daughter.
She narrated that at the time, the news was dominated by just negative bulletins. As a result, she began looking for positive material that she would consume and to her frustration, there was not enough.
This is what pushed her into independent content production.
"I had always wanted to get into television and that's what brought me into Australia in the first place," Annie narrated.
"My passion is storytelling, covering stories of people who are particularly doing work that seems to be making a difference, the stories that we don't hear enough about, the good news stories," she added.
On August 12, 2017, she launched her own production company and out of it, True Life Stories TV was born, focusing on stories of people who have overcome great challenges in life.
Her channel has covered events for non-profit organisations and social enterprises with the aim of bringing about change and positivity in society.
Annie stated that through the channel, she has been able to broadcast her content to the Aussie locals as well as numerous other Africans.
"It has been positive from Australians, Kenyans and also Africans in Australia. They absolutely love it," Annie stated.
