When in Ghana/what was your project: I was in Ghana from mid-July until early August of the summer of 2008. While there, I worked with a team of diligent and talented individuals on the Malaria Prevention Project. Through this effort, we surveyed members of the Humjibre community as a means of assessing their knowledge of malaria and their need for mosquito bed nets. Collectively, we completed 100 surveys from which we chose those in need of bed nets. Following this, we had an education day for youth peer educators in Humjibre, in which we taught them the basic facts about malaria, including its symptoms, means of infection, and treatment. By performing skits, trivia questions, and a bed net demonstration, we were able to get the important facts about malaria across. We then collaborated with them on Net Retreatment Day, where the community of Humjibre was invited to the community center and they were informed about malaria. They also had the opportunity to have their bed nets retreated with insecticide for future effective use.

Current schooling/career: I am a senior at New York University majoring in biology with a pre-medicine concentration. I plan on applying to medical school where I hope to become either a cardiologist or emergency medicine physician. Furthermore, I hope to help increase efforts in health education in underserved areas in the city as well as globally.

Future career goals: I hope to either become a cardiologist or emergency physician in the near future.

How has your work with GHEI influenced you? Working with GHEI has made me to become aware of the potential actions we have to positively impact the lives of others. To see the looks of gratitude on the faces of those in Humjibre as we distributed bed nets that were unaffordable to many meant a lot. We gave families a fighting chance against malaria and being actively involved in potentially saving lives was incredibly meaningful. Also, my mindset in terms of health issues has become more globally aware, considering ways in which we can utilize our resources at home to benefit others abroad.

Most was your memorable moment in Humjibre? My most memorable moment in Humjibre was going running early in the morning with my fellow teammates who are now my good friends and just basking in the simple beauties in nature. (Calvin, continued)