In a nutshell, my GHC experience has been incredibly AWESOME. It has been filled with both professional and personal gains.
Coming into the program I yearned to be a part of a community of like-minded people who are actually doing something towards social justice – not because they are paid for it or because its front page news but because they are passionately driven by the need to address the inequities of this world.
I have not only thrived as a young professional contributing to a better world but also relied on the support of many to make sense of the world we live in, find myself and define the role I want to play to contribute to a fairer world not only for myself but generations to come.
These past two weeks have been incredibly special to me in so many ways. Twelve days ago, I launched an online fundraising campaign that would not only raise money to see me go to graduate school but also bring the gift of reading and writing to women and children who do not know how to read and write in the rural communities where I work in.
By volunteering my time and skills to teach mothers and children (in their homes) how to read and write, I strongly believe that they will have improved livelihoods because this opens their minds to new experiences and possibilities. I believe a parent who knows how to read and write is in position to correctly administer prescribed medication to his or her child when they are sick. And one who does not know how to read and write is at risk of giving his or her child an overdose or an under dosage thus endangering their child’s health.
Since the launch of the campaign, I have been humbled by the overwhelming support from friends within and outside the GHC community.
One such dear friend is James Arinaitwe, a fellow at Single Stops USA, who in an e-mail to friends to support the campaign wrote, “When I envision the future that I want to create in Uganda, I envision a nation where the needs of my sister Rehema would be my needs, or the needs of my sister Carol would wake me up early in the morning just as the needs of my own family,”
Kat Grande posted on Facebook, “Uganda global health corps fellow Rehema Aanyu is awesome and heading to grad school–show her some support if you can!”
Devy Emperador posted “My wonderful friend and colleague Rehema Aanyu, an amazing GHC fellow from Uganda, is raising money for grad school. If you have extra funds to donate this year or are interested in knowing more about this wonderful woman, check out her campaign”
This overwhelming support brings tears of joy to my eyes and in appreciation of I thank you all for the incredible support.
As I move forward, I know within the GHC community, I will always have a home – a family with whom I share the same vision. I know I can always reach out to someone wherever, whenever for a good hearty laugh, word of advice, encouragement or simply a reality check. All this makes the journey worthwhile.
As we come close to the end of our fellowship year, no day passes by when I do not believe that indeed global health equity is possible.
Like these “small” individual donations to my campaign, it all amounts to something great. In our different roles we are indeed impacting the world. A drop in the ocean may seem not to make a big difference but it does cause ripples that transcend far and beyond. Every little thing we do counts.
To learn more about the campaign, join me on Facebook or click http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/educateoneugandanattime/x/3053559