Lessons Learned from the People I Love
Who I am reflects the people I love and the lessons they have taught me throughout my life.
Dad.
“‘Family’ isn’t defined only by last names or by blood; its defined by commitment and by love. It means showing up when they need it most. It means having each other’s backs. It means choosing to love each other even on those days when you struggle to like each other. It means never giving up on each other!”- Dave Willis
If you ever get the pleasure of meeting my dad, you will learn right off the bat that he is a family man. Family dinners, family game nights, family vacations…you name it, as long as my family is together, my dad is a happy man. Ever since I was a little girl, my dad has taught my older sister, older brother, and I to be present with each other and love and support each other without limits. Fast forward to today, and my sister, brother, and I are all living very busy lives in different parts of the country. We do not get to talk or spend as much time with each other as we used to, but when I do get to see them, I am reminded of the importance of having a strong support network that I can trust. Because of my dad and the deep familial connections he rooted within my family, I am inspired to build genuine friendships and support others in my work through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Mom.
“Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
My mom is a pharmacist. That being said, she naturally has an entire drawer full of different pills and ointments in our house. Growing up, I never had to worry about what to put on a cut because I knew my mom would always save the day with her expertise. My mom works at a hospital and I was lucky enough to be able to attend work with her several times while growing up. I remember each time begging her if we could visit the maternity ward and look at all the newborn babies. Ever since I was a little girl, I was enamored with babies and caring for them. I would play with my dolls for hours on end after school, and if there was ever a baby in the room, I was always the first one to offer to hold him or her. It does not surprise me that in my future I want to work in the field of maternal and child healthcare. The care that my mother provided to me as a child certainly left a lasting mark on me. Because of my mom, I am inspired to respect and care for the lives of others, particularly mothers and their infants, with the same humility and compassion as my mother cared for me.
Sister.
“Let perseverance be your engine and hope your fuel.” -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Growing up, my sister and I would always joke that we were the same person. Even though we are four years apart in age, we liked the same food, wore the same outfits (although I think that was my mom’s idea to dress us like twins), and had the same interests. It’s funny to look back and laugh at how similar we were growing up. Honestly, I think the reason why we were so alike was because I admired my big sister more than anything. I assure you that today we are two unique individuals with very different lives. However, that is not to say that some things have not changed. When my sister went to college and decided to pursue a career in medicine, it was not long before my interest in medicine began to arise. Watching my sister succeed in college, get into one of the top medical schools in the country, and live out her dream as a rising doctor has taught me that hard work does truly pay off. It takes perseverance and hope to jump over the hurdles that inevitably life puts in our way, but it is always worth it to keep going.
Brother.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”- Mark Twain
When I am with my brother, I always have a good time. He truly is the life of the party. I feel very lucky to have an older brother who looks after me and encourages me to become a woman of integrity. What inspires me the most about my brother is how much he loves life. He is the type of person who works hard and gets things done, but saves time each day to have fun and live in the present moment. He has taught me not to take life so seriously, but to take advantage of each day and see it as a gift. Because of my brother, I am reminded each day to stop and appreciate the blessings I have been given, to laugh a little harder than the previous day, and to celebrate small victories such as making a stranger smile.
The Greatest Call
My desire to pursue social entrepreneurship and be involved in the Global Social Benefit Fellowship stems from my faith and my experience living in Africa last summer.
Faith.
I was born and raised Roman Catholic. That meant that I went to church on Sundays and additional faith formation class occasionally. I never really understood the beauty and power of having a relationship with God until I got into high school. It was then that my desire to delve deeper into my faith first developed. As I began to learn more and more about what it means to be Catholic, I continually came across the theme of service. I began to read the book No Greater Love by Mother Teresa and was moved by her unwavering love and mercy towards the weak, poor, and vulnerable. She said, “The one who prays cannot but have faith, and when you have faith you want to put it into action. Faith in action is service. The fruit of love is service. Love leads us to say, ‘I want to serve.’ And the fruit of service is peace. All of us should work for peace.” After reading and learning about Mother Teresa’s life, it became clear to me that service is not just an opportunity to give back, but it is also a way to live out your faith and see God face-to-face in the lives of those whom you serve. As a student at Santa Clara University, which promotes the Jesuit values of service and social justice, it has become evident to me that as a person of faith, I am called to live a life seeking to improve the lives of those who are subject to the injustices of the world.
Home Sweet Africa.
“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up”.- Katie Davis
These are the words of Katie Davis, missionary and founder of Amazima Ministries International, that rocked my world the summer before my sophomore year of college. As soon as I read these words, I began to yearn for an opportunity to make a difference in the world—even if it be one life. Little did I know that nine months later my desire to answer this call would come true in The Gambia, West Africa through Santa Clara University’s Global Fellows Program. In high school, I loved volunteering at the local food bank or children’s hospital. It gave me so much joy to know that my time was positively impacting other people’s lives. Yet, at the same time, it felt weird to meet someone for a few hours, help them in a life-giving way, and then never see them again. When I came to college, I wanted to do something more than just a day of giving back. I wanted to connect with and truly understand the lives of those whom I was serving. I was immediately drawn to the Global Fellows program at Santa Clara because it is an immersive experience that gives students the opportunity to serve and live in a foreign country for an extended period of time. This past summer I spent five weeks teaching at Starfish International, a non-profit whose mission is to provide Gambian girls with an advanced education. Early marriage and gender inequality in the education system keeps many girls from pursuing their own dreams. Starfish International empowers young girls to see their true value and worth and provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to become active leaders in their communities. As soon as I arrived at Starfish International, I felt an immense amount of love and acceptance that was contagious—every day I was welcomed with hugs, laughter, and intentional conversations. It felt like home knowing that the girls accepted me for who I was in that present moment, not by my appearance, credentials, or skills. Throughout my trip, I saw the beauty of living in a communal society where everyone had each other’s backs, I witnessed the power of education in a girl’s life, I experienced the value of cross-cultural connections, and I fell in love with a country that depended on their faith and hard work to get them to the next day. My favorite experience in The Gambia was getting to spend a day in the life of one of the Starfish students, Mariama. At her house, I got to walk alongside her and engage in all of the chores and activities she does in a typical day. From washing laundry, shopping at the local supermarket, and cooking a traditional Gambian meal, to chatting and laughing with Mariama about the differences and similarities of our lives, my time with her was one of the most transformative experiences I have had in my life. I left The Gambia with a newfound understanding of hospitality, service, social justice and acceptance.
After I got back from Africa, I knew that my desire to do something bigger than myself had not ended; it was just getting started. While at Starfish International, it became clear to me that lack of talent or passion was not holding any of the girls back, as I met some of the most outgoing, intelligent, respectful, and determined young girls. However, basic necessities like breakfast to eat, a notebook to write in, time to study, and the opportunity to go to college were stopping girls from living to their fullest potential. It bothered me that I could spend so long getting to know and love the girls on a personal level and see some of them struggle against the forces that were keeping them behind, but I had leave them to go back to my normal life. It seemed so unfair. After reflecting on my trip, I realized that given the platform I have been blessed with, support from a loving family and a college education, it is my obligation to work at fixing the injustices of this world. My exposure to the social injustices that Gambian girls face has become the fuel which drives my desire to not only seek to improve the lives of a population in need, but to disrupt and rebuild the status quo that is leaving them vulnerable to whatever injustice they face. I believe GSBF is the first step to answering this great call.