At the age of fifteen I very much wanted to be an important person in the community. Think of those given front row seats labeled ‘reserved’ at functions, escorted to the front in case they took seats in the back, the ones who were given a microphone to speak last. And they seemed to have all the answers; they moved with so much esteem and displayed a high level of authority. When I grew up, I wanted to be a “guest of honor”. Today I can say I have achieved my dream, though I’ve taken another direction in understanding who a “guest of honor ” really is.
After college I trained as an orthopedic officer, not any where near my dream as I was still never labeled as “important” to the community. I was always some where in the hospital fixing broken bones and back aches. I wanted to be a part of the prevention team so we could have fewer cases to manage. I also wanted the few people coming to the hospitals to receive quality services. I then headed to Health Services Management.
During my training as a Health Manager, I realized that my dream of being more important was finally headed towards achievement. I still saw many people coming to the hospital for preventable diseases, and realized that some people didn’t have access to proper services due to issues such as proximity to their geographical locations and scarcity in human resources. “I won’t be important until this is rectified,” I told myself. But how was I able to do this knowing that I am just one individual, not any where near the policy makers, the “important” people, the guest of honor?
One lovely day, I got a newspaper and Global Health Corps was advertising. They seemed to have solutions to all the issues I dreamed to solve in my endeavor to become “important”. In practical ways they talked about mobilizing young leaders with diverse professions all working toward health equity. I immediately knew that if I got to be a part of this team, my dream would be achieved. This is my dream team.
It has been 6 months since i joined this team, and I am happy. I know that I am as important as the guest of honor. I don’t have to be at the front, or have any major introduction. I now feel like a winner; I am a winner, being a part of a winning team makes me a winner. I am proud to be a fellow.
Being here has taught me practical ways to influence the health sector in my own community and country at large. The trainings I have received have given me good insight. I’m concentrating on attaining all the knowledge and skills I need to better public health and global health. I am doing my part, but what about you? This is indeed a great way to become a “Guest of Honor”.