“Wa? Where’s that?” I am asked anytime I tell people where I am from. I hail from a small town in Northern Ghana called Wa, meaning “come” in Wali. My family immigrated to the U.S. in 2005 in search of better opportunities for a quality education in America.
During the summer before high school, my mother announced that we were returning to Ghana to visit our family. I was excited at the prospect of immersing myself within my culture, enjoying the delectable food. The thought of Ghanaian Fufu, Fanyogo strawberry yogurt, and Kenkey made my mouth drool. Visiting my family, despite the language barrier, also proved rewarding, and I was happy to be in a country where my skin color did not distinguish me. But when I went to Ghana I also listened to their stories.
My parent’s village, Wa, was filled with toddlers in ragged clothing, walking barefoot on the dirt. Some people were crippled, without arms or legs, begging for money. My mother’s old home was humid, cramped and mosquitoes were rampant. I met one of my distant cousins and I saw her wearing one of my old dresses. It was a white lace dress with a blue overskirt. But this time it looked overworn, filled with holes and permanent black stains. The stories my mother told me of walking long distances to fetch water and working barefoot on the farm so they could have dinner were now so real to me.
But this trip brought me more than just delicious food. My stay with my cousins in Wa was filled with conversations about their lives and the lack of educational resources in their school like technology, books, and desks. They often teased me saying, “Bring me to America, I can fit in your suitcase,” and insisted that I should work hard because they were depending on me. Expanding upon my perspective on life, while learning more about my culture and family history, I felt a pang in my heart hearing that my Grandfather was forced to work for British people transporting mail from village to village. I not only gained a deeper gratitude for my culture and my family but I realized that my relatives rely on me.
I gained a new found motivation for my education. I hope to bring my family out of a cycle of poverty by pursuing the things I am passionate about like medicine and advocacy.
I hope to provide better access to a quality education in rural communities in Ghana. Schools in rural villages often lack basic educational resources like libraries, textbooks, computers, proper furniture and much more. I hope to create a non profit that can build computer labs, libraries, and provide textbooks in rural village schools. Through education people will have a chance to break the cycle of poverty. Through education Ghana can become a country of innovation. It is through education my aunts, uncles, and cousins will finally be able to feed their families.
ducation has always been a transformative force in my life, opening doors to opportunities and shaping my future aspirations. Growing up as a first-generation Hispanic student in the United States, I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices my parents made to provide me with a better life. Their journey from Mexico to America, driven by the pursuit of better opportunities, instilled in me a profound appreciation for education. Their unwavering support and hard work have motivated me to strive for academic excellence and to leverage my education as a means of making a significant impact in my community and beyond.
Pursuing a college degree in psychology, with a minor in biology on a pre-med track, has set the foundation for my future goals. This academic path is not just a career choice but a personal mission to address the mental health disparities that plague underserved communities, particularly within Hispanic populations. My education will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and tackle these complex issues. It will enable me to contribute to the field of pediatric psychiatry, where I aspire to provide culturally competent mental health care to children and adolescents who often suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of resources.
Education will change my path forward by providing me with the tools to break down barriers and create a ripple effect of positive change. By pursuing an MD/PhD program, I will gain deeper insights into the biological and psychological aspects of mental health. This dual-degree program will allow me to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, ensuring that evidence-based interventions are accessible to those who need them most. The critical thinking, research skills, and clinical expertise I acquire will empower me to develop innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of my community.
Giving back to society is an integral part of my educational journey. My ultimate goal is to establish a practice that not only provides high-quality mental health services but also collaborates with local organizations to address broader social determinants of health. I envision working with schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations to implement preventive measures and early intervention programs. By fostering a supportive environment and promoting mental health awareness, I aim to break the cycle of stigma and silence that surrounds mental health issues in Hispanic communities.
Additionally, I am committed to mentoring and supporting future generations of students from similar backgrounds. By sharing my experiences and knowledge, I hope to inspire others to pursue their educational dreams and to contribute to the betterment of society. Education has the power to transform lives, and I am determined to use mine to create a more equitable and inclusive world. Through my dedication to mental health care and community engagement, I will strive to make a lasting impact and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy, fulfilling life.
