MY LOCAL CHURCH CONTRIBUTION TO MY COMMUNITY SERVICE I found my purpose in a church I was attending. Back in Malawi, Integrity Family Church was more than just a place of worship, it was a place where I felt seen, loved, and reminded that my life had meaning. I did not grow up with much stability, but the church gave me something steady. I started volunteering there when I was young, 15years old, and I stayed for six years. Through that time, my heart began to change. I began by helping in Sunday school, teaching children Bible stories, songs, and sometimes just sitting with them so they would not feel alone while parents were in church. Most of those kids came from backgrounds as hard as mine. I could see parts of my younger self in their eyes quiet, scared, unsure. But little by little, they started to open up. And so did I. Being with them, encouraging them, showing up every week, it gave me a reason to believe that love, even in small acts, can make someone feel whole again. Later, I volunteered at a resettlement support center as an interpreter. I speak five languages, and I used every one of them to help newcomers navigate life in a new country. I remember one woman who had just arrived with her children. She was overwhelmed, scared, and could not understand anything the social workers were saying. I helped with interpreting. I could see relief wash her face when she realized someone understood her. That moment showed me how powerful connection can be. These experiences through my church taught me to serve with empathy. I began to realize that the help I offered was not just about translating words or teaching the gospel, it was about showing people they mattered. That’s why I chose to study social work. And now, as I continue my studies at Arizona State University, I carry those same values as me. I want to become a psychotherapist and open a mental health center that serves people who have experienced trauma, especially refugees, orphans, and anyone who feels invisible. I believe everyone deserves to be heard and healed. My church taught me that real service starts from the heart. That it is not about titles or big gestures about being present, listening, and loving people where they are. That is what I hope to continue doing through my life and career.

Early childhood trauma leaves deep lasting wounds that most people do not realize. These wounds are often carried quietly into adulthood. I know this because I have lived it. I grew up in a refugee camp, where life was filled with fear, instability, and uncertainty. My biological father abandoned me simply because I was a girl. In his eyes, girls were worthless and unimportant. That rejection taught me from an early age that my existence didn’t matter. I was raised in an environment where love, safety, and emotional support were scarce. I had to grow up like an adult while I was still just a child. There was no one I could trust or talk to, not even about the physical changes in my body. I had to take care of everything by myself; I carried responsibilities that were too heavy and tried to make sense of a world that never gave me the space to be a child. Now, as an adult, I continue to face the consequences of that trauma. This is the period of my life where I had to be independent and start fighting for a better future, but I always feel like I started fighting a long time ago and I am tired now, problems never end. I struggle with anxiety, trust issues, attachment wounds, and moments of low confidence but I keep these to myself because that is how I am used to. I often experience flashbacks that remind me of how unsafe and unloved I once felt. Sometimes, those memories creep in and silence my joy and break my heart and tell me everything is just unworthy fighting for. But despite everything, I have not given up. I am learning more about myself every day. I am learning to understand where my pain comes from and how it shaped the way I relate to others and to myself. I am studying Social Work, which has been one of the most helpful experiences of my life. With a 3.8 GPA, I have taken courses that help me understand trauma, psychology, and mental health. And these have not just been for academic purposes, but to make sense of my own story. Through my education, I have gained language for the pain I used to carry in silence. I now understand that what I experienced as a child was not normal, and more importantly, not my fault. Because of everything I have been through, I have chosen to become a psychotherapist after my social work degree. I want to use my knowledge and experience to help others, especially children and youth, who are dealing with trauma, abandonment, and emotional wounds. I want to walk alongside people who never had anyone to trust. I want to be the safe person I needed when I was younger. I believe in the power of healing through empathy, therapy, and human connection. I also understand that, not everyone understands what trauma is and how it wires a person’s brain unless they have been through it, most people just say, oh she is just being manipulative, she is acting the victim, she is just being too much which is not the case. Until you experience it then you can know how far it kills. This is more than a career to me, it is a mission born from my own suffering. I want to build a life that brings light into the lives of others who feel stuck in darkness. I want to remind them that healing is possible, that their lives have value, and that they are not alone.

How My Experience with Mental Health Shaped My Beliefs, Relationships, and Career Dreams I grew up in a world where survival came before everything else. I was born in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania, into a life shaped by war, abandonment, and trauma. My father left when I was only three days old, simply because I was born a girl. My mother, burdened by poverty and rejection, was later forced to leave me and my sisters behind as well. I never had the chance to know parental love or protection. We were raised by my older sister, who became a mother to us long before she was ready. From the beginning, my life was shaped by loss, instability, and emotional hardship. These early experiences with mental health, though I didn’t have the words for them back then have profoundly influenced who I am today. I never thought of myself as someone who struggled with mental health. Where I come from, people rarely talk about their feelings. Crying too much or showing sadness is often seen as weakness. But over the years, I have learned to name my pain. I have learned that what I went through was trauma. I have learned that losing family, living in constant fear, being displaced again and again, and growing without emotional safety all of that leaves deep wounds. I also learned that I was not alone in feeling those things. When we later fled to Malawi because of violence, I began noticing how much emotional pain was all around me. In the Dzaleka refugee camp, people turned to alcohol or withdrew completely. Families broke apart. Friends lost hope. Even children my age showed signs of deep sadness. We smiled outside, but inside many of us were scared, hurting, and confused. For me, the trauma built up. I started experiencing intense headaches, nightmares, and anxiety. I began to feel like I was always on edge, always waiting for something bad to happen. When I developed eye issues from a traumatic incident involving invaders, I began to lose my ability to focus or feel safe anywhere. That was when I first began to understand the power of mental health. It was not just about being “strong” or “tough.” It was about having support. It was about healing. And most importantly, it was about being seen and understood. When I was adopted and resettled in Canada, I thought things would change overnight. But healing is not that simple. I found myself struggling to trust, struggling to feel close to others, and battling anxious thoughts. Although I was physically safe, emotionally I was still fragile. It took time, courage, and the right people to begin the journey of healing. One of those people was a school counselor who saw through my smile and gently invited me to talk. For the first time, I felt heard. And for the first time, I saw what I wanted to become: someone who could sit with another in their pain and help them find their strength. My experiences with mental health have shaped my beliefs in powerful ways. I believe that no one should suffer in silence. I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health. I believe that trauma is not a weakness but a wound that can heal. And I believe that healing begins with connection when someone feels seen, safe, and supported. These beliefs have also changed how I build relationships. I value deep emotional honesty. I have learned to ask others how they really feel and to share my own truth. I have learned to be patient, to listen, and to create space for others to be vulnerable. This has helped me build meaningful friendships and become a source of comfort for people around me. Whether it is classmates, youth at church, or new immigrants in my community, I find myself naturally drawn to supporting others in their struggles. Not because I have it all together, but because I know what it means to feel alone and invisible. These same experiences have also led me to my chosen path: social work and psychotherapy. I want to become a licensed psychotherapist so I can serve people who carry pain similar to mine refugees, abandoned youth, survivors of violence, and anyone struggling with trauma. I want to specialize in trauma-informed care and offer therapy that is gentle, culturally sensitive, and empowering. I hope to one day open a healing center that focuses on both mental and emotional well-being for immigrants, refugees, and low-income communities. I want to create a space where no one feels unworthy of care. I am currently studying Social Service Work and plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, followed by graduate studies in psychotherapy. Every course I take confirms my passion for this field. I feel called to this work not just as a career, but as a purpose. I know the kind of therapist I want to be the one who understands silence, who respects pain, who holds space for healing, and who never gives up on people, even when they have given up on themselves. Applying for this scholarship is more than a request for financial support. It is a step toward a future I have fought hard to build. As an international student with limited resources, funding is one of my greatest barriers. But I continue to apply with faith and perseverance, because I believe that someone out there will see not just my need, but also my potential. This scholarship would not just help me pay for school. It would help me fulfill my dream of becoming a mental health professional who brings healing to others. It would allow me to focus fully on my studies and gain the training I need to serve those who are hurting. And more than that, it would be a powerful reminder that my story matters that everything I have overcome can be transformed into something meaningful and beautiful. Mental health has shaped every part of who I am my beliefs, my relationships, and my dreams. But most of all, it has taught me compassion. And with that compassion, I am building a life that I hope will help others believe in their healing too.

Title: Healing Communities Through Wellness and Mental Health Awareness When I grew up in a refugee camp, I often felt invisible. I lived without my parents, raised by my older sister, and surrounded by people who were in deep pain. Many struggled silently with mental health problems, but there was no one to talk to. It was considered shameful. I saw how this silence hurt so many people, especially youth. Those experiences planted a deep desire in my heart to bring change. Over the next five years, I plan to create a positive environmental impact by promoting mental health awareness and emotional wellness in both my local and global communities. Wellness is not just physical health; it also includes how we feel inside. When people are mentally and emotionally well, they can care more for each other and for the world around them. I believe mental wellness is the foundation for stronger, healthier communities. In the next five years, I plan to focus on spreading this awareness through education, support programs, and community outreach. I am currently studying Social Service Work and plan to continue with a bachelor’s degree in social work, then a master’s in Psychotherapy. My goal is to become a licensed psychotherapist and open a mental health wellness center focused on trauma-informed care, especially for youth, refugees, and low-income families. One of the ways I will create impact is by organizing community workshops that teach people how to take care of their emotional well-being. I want to start these workshops where I now live and later expand them to other countries, including where I came from. These workshops will cover important topics like stress, anxiety, depression, and how to seek help. I want to use storytelling, creative art, and group discussions to help people feel safe enough to open up. I believe that creating safe spaces where people can share their struggles and heal will have a powerful environmental impact because healthy minds lead to more peaceful communities. I also plan to use technology and social media to spread positive messages about mental health. Many young people are online every day. If we can reach them there, we can shift how they think about mental illness and break the stigma. I want to create simple videos and messages in different languages, so that more people feel included. My goal is to make emotional wellness something we talk about openly, not something we hide. In five years, I also hope to partner with schools, hospitals, and community centers to offer mental health programs that are affordable or free. Many people cannot afford therapy, and I want to help change that. I will use my education, experience, and lived story to show that healing is possible. I want to train other young leaders to continue this work in their own communities so that the impact continues to grow. I believe that when we care for people’s hearts and minds, we also inspire them to care more deeply for their environment and for others. Through wellness, I want to plant seeds of hope in my community and the world. My past has shaped me, but my future is focused on healing and that is how I will create positive change.

ONGWA WAKILONGO’S ESSAY My name is Ongwa Wakilongo. I am Congolese by nationality, but I was born in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania. Later, my family returned to Congo, but due to safety concerns, my sisters and I fled again this time to Malawi. I was born into a girl-dominated family, and sadly, in my culture, that was seen as a disappointment. My father abandoned us when I was just three days old, leaving my mother to raise us alone in the refugee camp. Five years later, my mother remarried, but her new husband didn’t accept us. She was pregnant and forced to leave us behind to survive. Since then, my sisters and I have lived without our parents, raising each other with love, strength, and resilience. These early life experiences left deep emotional wounds, but they also gave me a powerful sense of purpose. Living with trauma, rejection, and hardship made me understand how important it is to have someone to talk to someone who listens, understands, and supports you without judgment. That’s why I’ve decided to become a psychotherapist. I am currently studying Social Service Work in Canada, where I now live as a permanent resident. This program has helped me gain a deeper understanding of mental health, addiction, poverty, and the social systems that impact people’s lives. But this is just the beginning of my journey. After completing my diploma, I plan to transfer to a four-year university here in Canada to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work. My long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Psychotherapy. I believe that with these qualifications, I’ll be better equipped to help people in meaningful, lasting ways. I have a special passion for helping those who feel forgotten, especially young people dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, and addiction. I see these struggles every day in my community, and it breaks my heart. I want to be part of the solution. Financially, my situation is very difficult. I do not have enough financial support. Every part of my education depends on scholarships, part-time work, and any assistance I can find. Even though I work hard, it is still not enough to cover tuition, living costs, and books. The stress of not knowing how I will pay for the next semester is always on my mind. Receiving this scholarship would not just help me pay for school. It would give me the peace of mind to focus on my studies and future. It would mean the world to me because it would take away some of the heavy burden I carry every day. Most importantly, it would allow me to continue working toward my dream.

I organized a community fundraising fair to support the North Bay Crisis Centre. That center provides emergency shelter, meals, and counselling to people experiencing homelessness, families escaping violence, and anyone in urgent need. I wanted to bring together students, neighbors, and local businesses to raise money and awareness—and to learn what it means to lead by serving others. In planning the fair, I invited four classmates from my Social Service Work program at Canadore College to join me. We met in the student lounge, sketched out a simple plan, and divided tasks. One teammate agreed to design and distribute posters. Another reached out to cafés and shops for food donations. A third handled social media. I took responsibility for booking the hall, recruiting volunteers, and tracking our budget. Each week we met again, talked through any problems, and celebrated small wins, like securing our first sponsor. The morning of the event, I arrived before dawn to unlock the hall and greet our volunteers. I showed each person where to set up, whether at the donation table, the silent auction, or the children’s activity corner. A dozen students painted faces and ran simple games so parents could learn about the Crisis Centre’s services without distraction. At noon, I stepped onto a small platform, thanked our sponsors, shared a few stories about the people the Crisis Centre helps, and invited everyone to give what they could. By the end of the day, we had raised $640. That money will pay for meals and shelter beds for several weeks. Even more important, neighbors who had never met before talked about volunteering. A local bakery promised to deliver bread each month. Several students said they felt inspired to organize their own projects. I heard from Crisis Centre staff how much it meant to see our community come together. Through this experience I learned that real leadership is quiet service, listening when team members have ideas, stepping in when things go wrong, and celebrating every contribution. I saw how one person’s idea can become many people’s action. Most of all, I saw that when you lead by serving, you build trust, spark new energy, and create lasting change. Organizing this fair showed me that my passion for social work can move beyond the classroom. It taught me how to bring people together around a shared cause and how service is the heart of true leadership. I will carry these lessons forward as I continue my studies and my work to support vulnerable people in my community.

My name is Ongwa Wakilongo. I was born into a girl-dominated family, and sadly, in my culture, that was seen as a disappointment. My father abandoned us when I was just three days old, leaving my mother to raise us alone in the refugee camp. Five years later, my mother remarried, but her new husband didn’t accept us. She was pregnant and forced to leave us behind to survive. Since then, my sisters and I have lived without our parents, raising each other with love, strength, and resilience. These early life experiences left deep emotional wounds, but they also gave me a powerful sense of purpose. Living with trauma, rejection, and hardship made me understand how important it is to have someone to talk to someone who listens, understands, and supports you without judgment. That’s why I’ve decided to become a psychotherapist. I am currently studying Social Service Work . This program has helped me gain a deeper understanding of mental health, addiction, poverty, and the social systems that impact people’s lives. But this is just the beginning of my journey. After completing my diploma, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work. My long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Psychotherapy. I believe that with these qualifications, I’ll be better equipped to help people in meaningful, lasting ways. I have a special passion for helping those who feel forgotten, especially young people dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, and addiction. I see these struggles every day in my community, and it breaks my heart. I want to be part of the solution. Right now, my biggest challenge is paying for school and managing daily expenses. I do not have enough financial support, so I must take care of everything on my own. I work while studying, but what I earn barely covers my living costs. Sometimes I must choose between paying for food or buying the materials I need for class. This stress makes it hard to fully focus on school, even though I still try my best and maintain good grades. I know I could do even better if I did not have to worry so much about money. This scholarship would make a big difference in my life. It would take away a big part of the financial pressure I face and allow me to focus more on my education. I would have more time to study, take part in activities, and grow in my field without being held back by constant worries about how to pay for everything. With this support, I would be able to continue working toward my dream with a clear mind and a hopeful heart.

How I Am Working to Address an Important Social Issue One of the most important social issues I care deeply about is homelessness. It is painful to see people, including children, seniors, and families, living without safe housing or basic support. As someone who has faced hardship and instability myself, I understand how hard life becomes when you do not have a home or a support system. That is why I am committed to being part of the solution through my education and my actions. Right now, during my studies in Social Service Work at Canadore College in Canada. My program helps me learn about community needs and how to help people in crisis. As part of our course on methods of community organization, my class and I worked on a fundraising project for the North Bay Crisis Centre. This center supports homeless people, women and children in emergency shelters, and those escaping violence or poverty. We planned and ran a community event that helped raise both money and awareness. Through that project, I learned how much power there is in people coming together to support others. Beyond fundraising, I am involved in advocacy and outreach activities that help highlight homelessness in our community. I talk to others about the issue, support events that offer food and resources, and use my education to speak up for long-term change. I also volunteer at “The Village,” a place at Canadore College where older adults live. I spend time with them, listen to their stories, and offer help and companionship. Many of them also face loneliness and poverty, which are connected to larger housing and social challenges. This experience has taught me the importance of emotional support and how strong relationships can help improve people’s lives. My long-term goal is to become a psychotherapist, especially for people who have faced trauma, housing insecurity, or mental health issues. I want to create safe spaces for people who feel forgotten or lost. I believe everyone deserves dignity, support, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Homelessness is not just about housing, it is also about health, hope, and healing. That is what I want to offer. By continuing my education and staying active in my community, I am working step by step to address homelessness. I know I cannot solve everything at once, but I believe that every action matters. Whether it is raising funds, spending time with someone in need, or speaking up for better policies, I am doing my part. My goal is to keep learning, growing, and giving back so that fewer people have to live without a place to call home.

My name is Ongwa Wakilongo. I am Congolese by nationality, but I was born in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania. Later, my family returned to Congo, but due to safety concerns, my sisters and I fled again this time to Malawi. I was born into a girl-dominated family, and sadly, in my culture, that was seen as a disappointment. My father abandoned us when I was just three days old, leaving my mother to raise us alone in the refugee camp. Five years later, my mother remarried, but her new husband didn’t accept us. She was pregnant and forced to leave us behind to survive. Since then, my sisters and I have lived without our parents, raising each other with love, strength, and resilience. These early life experiences left deep emotional wounds, but they also gave me a powerful sense of purpose. Living with trauma, rejection, and hardship made me understand how important it is to have someone to talk to someone who listens, understands, and supports you without judgment. That’s why I’ve decided to become a psychotherapist. I am currently studying Social Service Work . This program has helped me gain a deeper understanding of mental health, addiction, poverty, and the social systems that impact people’s lives. But this is just the beginning of my journey. After completing my diploma, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work. My long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Psychotherapy. I believe that with these qualifications, I’ll be better equipped to help people in meaningful, lasting ways. I have a special passion for helping those who feel forgotten, especially young people dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, and addiction. I see these struggles every day in my community, and it breaks my heart. I want to be part of the solution. Right now, my biggest challenge is paying for school and managing daily expenses. I do not have enough financial support, so I must take care of everything on my own. I work while studying, but what I earn barely covers my living costs. Sometimes I must choose between paying for food or buying the materials I need for class. This stress makes it hard to fully focus on school, even though I still try my best and maintain good grades. I know I could do even better if I did not have to worry so much about money. This scholarship would make a big difference in my life. It would take away a big part of the financial pressure I face and allow me to focus more on my education. I would have more time to study, take part in activities, and grow in my field without being held back by constant worries about how to pay for everything. With this support, I would be able to continue working toward my dream with a clear mind and a hopeful heart.

Growing up, I did not have parents. I was raised by a caregiver who became like a parent to me. This caregiver was my family, my support, and my guide. When they were diagnosed with ALS, my whole world changed. Watching the person who had cared for me slowly lose their strength was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. I felt powerless, scared, and alone, but I knew I had to stay strong for them. As the disease progressed, I became their caregiver. I helped with daily tasks, offered comfort, and stayed by their side. It was painful to watch them suffer, but I knew that showing up every day, even when it was hard, was the greatest way I could give back the love they had given me. After their passing, I found myself completely alone. No family, no stable support, and facing a future that felt uncertain. This experience has deeply impacted my educational journey. There were many times when I wanted to give up because of sadness and loneliness. However, I found strength in the lessons my caregiver taught me: kindness, courage, and resilience. I decided to keep going because I know they would have wanted me to. Education became my hope and my path toward building a better life. Financially, my situation is very difficult. I do not have parents or family to help support me. Every part of my education depends on scholarships, part-time work, and any assistance I can find. Even though I work hard, it is still not enough to cover tuition, living costs, and books. The stress of not knowing how I will pay for the next semester is always on my mind. Receiving this scholarship would not just help me pay for school. It would give me the peace of mind to focus on my studies and future. It would mean the world to me because it would take away some of the heavy burden I carry every day. Most importantly, it would allow me to continue working toward my dream. Because of everything I have been through, I want to become a psychotherapist. I want to help others who are going through loss, trauma, and difficult times. I want to be the person who listens, who understands, and who offers real support. My experiences have given me a heart full of compassion, and I believe I can use my education to bring healing and hope to others. I am currently doing social service work with a 3.84 GPA. This scholarship would not just help me. It would help every person I will one day help as a psychotherapist. Thank you for considering my story and giving me the chance to continue building a future filled with purpose and hope.