On April 15, 2020, Ayoub Elbaamrani flew from Morocco to Kenya to support product service for a local teaching hospital. On the day of arrival, Morocco announced the suspension of all international flights in order to control the spread of COVID-19, and the Kenyan government immediately took the same decision.
On what was supposed to be a four-day short-term support service, Ayoub was suddenly stranded in Kenya with an uncertain return date, and he didn't even bring enough changes of clothes. With a worsening epidemic situation and a pregnant wife at home to care for, Ayoub was plagued with anxiety and worry.
But after communicating with his family, his Moroccan colleagues, and Mindray HQ, Ayoub adjusted his mindset. Taking things as they come, the French-speaking African product specialist converted his role and began servicing the end customers in Kenya, an English-speaking country. He conducted product training for medical staff at the teaching hospital, visited local distributors, supported the work of the Mindray Kenya team in person and also the Moroccan team remotely.
"Kenya has become my home from afar and even my 28th birthday was celebrated with my colleagues from Mindray Kenya. An unexpected trip paid off differently, but with rewards far beyond my expectations, and the experience will stay with me for life. "
