Mrs Chika Duruaku was born and raised in Imo State Nigeria, she moved to the United States of America five years ago to pursue her teaching career.
Mrs. Duruaku has a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and a Master degree in Educational Psychology. She is a 10th grade chemistry teacher in a Charter School in Harlem New York. Mrs. Duruaku shared her story on how she started out in New York as a sales person in a retail store and progresses from there to pursue her teaching career.
Friday, May 27, 2022
I DON'T KNOW WHY I BECAME A NURSE
I Was Almost Hit By a Bullet, I Still have the shell, I Saw Life And Death.
Igwe-Nworji Umunna Brethren is from Ebonyi state Nigeria, he graduated from Ebonyi state University, where he obtained a bachelors degree in public health Nursing. He is the founder of Unite the Dream, a pet project he started to help young people in his community to achieve their dreams.
Brethren worked as a humanitarian community health care worker in the Northern part of Nigeria before relocating to the United Kingdom to pursue is career as an Emergency Nurse.
Brethren shared that growing up was not easy for him, but just like every young Nigerian who are determine to succeed in life; he worked hard to see himself through school and to achieve his goals in life. He said that he made a lot of crazy decisions in life like moving to the Northern part of Nigeria to serve his country. Brethren said that because of his love for humanity, not considering the security challenges in the North East, he took the risk to remain in the North and to take up a job to serve as medical health aid at the internal displacement camp for the villagers in the North who had flee their homes due to the Boko Haram terrorist group insurgency in that part of the country. His decision to move to the North was influenced by the stories shared by some Doctors and Nurses in NYSC camp on how women and children were suffering and dying of sickness and starvation in the internal displacement camp and there are no medical aid and support system even as they struggle to survive from the bomb blast by the terrorist group. He also shared his experience while serving the people, how he strives to stay alive and how he narrowly escape death, when he was almost hit by a bullet when traveling with soldiers to provide medical aid to the villagers.
When asked about what inspired him to become a Nurse, Brethren said that he does not know why he became a Nurse, his desire was actually to become an Engineer. His Father wanted him to become a Doctor but he said no because he does not want to fail. But along the line he began to understand why he became a Nurse because he was part of a system that fought for some changes for Nurses in his community.
Brethren lamented about the poor conditions of the health care system in Nigeria and gave reasons why so many health care workers are leaving the country to pursue their dreams elsewhere. He said that he left Nigeria to pursue his Nursing career in the UK because the system is not changing and no one is benefiting from it, and also he needed to create a better life for his children.
"I HAD TIMES WHEN I WAS ALREADY IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CAREER, AND IN A POSITION WHERE IT WAS RESPECTABLE AND OF A LEVEL THAT DEMAND OTHERS TO PROVIDE ME RESPECT; BUT I GOT CONFUSED FOR THE PERSON WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO SERVE COFFEE".
'PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU ARE HISPANIC YOU ARE A MAID OR IF YOU ARE AFRICAN, YOU ARE HOME HEALTH AID. THEY PLACE YOU IN THIS LITTLE BOXES THAT ARE NOT TRUE'.
Elbia Cabral was born in Dominican Republic, and currently lives in United States of American. Elbia has a BA in in Emergency Management and public Administration from the Metropolitan College of New York, she is currently pursuing a Master degree in Public Administration in the same College.
She has eight years experience working with the homeless and special needs population in the areas of housing, re-housing and homeless prevention.
Elbia currently works at the Mayor's office of public engagement, she is the youngest Program Director in her organization. where she is responsible for the coordination and implementation of a publicly aide housing problem to assist New Yokers with long-term stable housing.
in the video above, Elbia shares her story with our story from diaspora on why she left Dominican
Republic to settle in New York and all she has achieved for herself.
Saturday, November 13, 2021
" I AM REALLY INTO BUSINESS, I DON'T WANT TO BE AN EMPLOYEE FOR A LONG TIME, I WANT TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY MY OWN THING"
Maria Esperanza Villafor , fondly called Rizza by family and friends is from Philipine, she is a School Director, a marketing and event consultant, an entrepreneur and the CEO of E-Pililokal Corporation an online marketplace that sales authentic and handcrafted goods in Philippine, promoting local Artisans, their businesses and local products made in the Philippine.
Maria moved to the United States of America in 2018 to pursue a Master degree in Business Administration, She graduated from the Metropolitan College of New York in 2020 after obtaining a Master degree in Business Administration, she is currently enrolled in the same College to obtain a second Master degree in Public Administration. Her goal is to utilize her degrees to expand in her business and she hope to compete with the likes of Alibaba and Amazon in the nearest future.
Maria shares her story with Our story from Diaspora, about herself, her country, why she moved to The United States of America and how she started out in Queens New York.
I
could not read at the age of 16, my youngest brother taught me how to read, I was
very ambitious, and today I have several degrees and currently pursuing a
second Ph.D.
Bishop
Dr. Everol George Ainsley is the founder and senior Pastor of New Vision
International Church of God Inc. located in Queens, New York USA and the founder
and chancellor of New Vision International Institute, Queens New York.
He
was the Chairman of the Board for the Crescent Basic School; his wealth of
experience and his prophetic calling has made him one of the dynamic
preachers of the end time.He is also a marriage officer in
the state of New York City and a notary.
Bishop
Ainsley was born on October 2 1, 1967 in St. Catherine, Jamaica, he grew up in
a rural community, his mom was unable to take care of him and sent him to live
with his grandmother, he was maltreated by his grandmother who wiped him with
hoe and wire at the slightest provocation, leaving him with sore back and
wounds. He was allowed to attend school three times in a week and spent the
other days working hard in the farm. Bishop Ainsley said that he could not read
at the age of 16, he was been taught how to read by his youngest brother.
Bishop
Ainsley got saved on October 21, 1985, was baptized on December 29, 1985, and
was filled with the Holy Spirit in February of 1986. At age
twenty-eight (28) while at Calvary Assembly, the Lord called him into the
ministry as a Pastor and Teacher, at the Angels Assembly of God church in Jamaica.
Bishop
Dr., Ainsley served and managed several areas of ministry such as Youth
President, Secretary, Ministry Coordinator, Evangelism Coordinator, National
Youth Department Vice President, Sunday School Teacher, Camp Counselor, and
director. Bishop Dr. Ainsley also serves committees such as Camp, Missions
& Convention in the National Youth Department of the Assemblies of God in
Jamaica. While serving in the above ministries & Pastoring Bishop Dr.
Ainsley traveled across Jamaica and overseas Preaching, Teaching, conducting
Seminars, Workshops and Conferences.
On
October 19, 2015, Pastor Ainsley received an Honorary Doctor of Humanity Degree
from Glad Tidings Ministries & Institute, Florida USA. Pastor Ainsley
was ordained in March 2007 with the Assemblies of God in Jamaica, and of such the
title Rev. has bestowed upon him.
Bishop
Dr. Ainsley holds a Bachelor of Theology Degree, from the Jamaica Theological
Seminary, a Teaching Diploma from the National Training Agency NTA. A Master’s
Degree in Education, Administration and Leadership from the International
University of The Caribbean.He also holds a Ph.D. in counseling and
communication from the Calvary's Cross Institute Inc., Florida USA.Bishop
Dr. Everol Ainsley is currently pursuing a second Ph.D., in Education and Leadership
and Social Work, with Delaware State University.
Bishop Ainsley shared
his story on why he left Jamaica to settle with his family in the United states
of America. in the video above.
MUSIC IS A SYMBOL AND AFRICANS SHOULD LEARN TO PLAY IT IN WAYS THAT TELL OUR UNIQUENESS, STORIES AND DIRECTLY OUR WAYS OF LIFE.
Juwon Ogungbe is a renowned
composer, an opera singer, a musician, a recording artist and a performer in
range of different genres. He is a
Nigerian, born in the United Kingdom, he moved back to Nigeria with his parents
when he was a teenager, there he attended King’s college Lagos and also the
prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University then called the University of Ife. Juwon
has attained trainings in various musical learning institutes in the United
Kingdom and also in the United States of America, he was a scholar, a composer
and a music director of a show titled Threshold inspired by Amos Tutuola’s work
at the University of Richmond in Virginia USA.
Juwon took us through his journey
into music, he had always gravitated towards music right from when he was a
very young boy, in his childhood days he was encouraged to perform by his
English foster parents in United Kingdom and since then his love for music and
the arts have always lived with him.
Juwon
Ogungbe Achievements in the musical arts and other literary genres are more
than a mouthful as he has been known to have done quite a lot. He talked
about some of the projects he has done over the years, he mentioned that he had
composed for various theatre companies, media houses, films, television and for
online productions. A few of his works which he considered most remarkable
include but is certainly not limited to, His works for BBC, the Royal
Shakespeare Company, composition for the Adaptation of a Novella called Oroonoko, featuring David Oyelowo and Jo Martins amongst others, a production of Shakespeare's play 'As you like it' which was directed by Marianne Elliot and Various
works with the African American Chuck mike.
His most recent work a music
theatre piece, King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba which was premiered in 2019
was inspired by his visit to the national museum in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, where
he was told of the story of the Queen, her fall to King Solomon’s Seduction and
the Dynasty their night together birthed in Ethiopia. According to Juwon he
composed this piece because of its historical significance and he also felt
that it was an interesting story to retell in an epic way in an opera performance.
The Pandemic did not in any way
deter him from attaining more achievements as he has done not less than three
actual performances online which include the classical song recitation done in
June, another done in July with the Lyrical choir an online choir he leads, and
another in October with an organization on Black history month featuring the
works of Ignatius Sancho.
He is greatly pleased with the
present generation in Nigeria who are striving in the music industry, unlike his
time, the present generation has great appreciation for classical music and
instrumentals, as this has broadened the sphere of music, making more
possibilities of what music can be. He advices young composers and opera
singers to be frequent in the act of doing, to be committed, to continually
develop their talent and skills, to do more research and showcase their arts
instead of waiting to be picked. To him music is a symbol and Africans should
learn to play it in ways that tell our uniqueness, stories and directly our
ways of life.
Juwon will be hosting a christmas event online and he is inviting everyone to be part of the event and also anyone who would love to sing with him is very much welcome to do so.
MY CAREER CHOICE WAS STRONGLY DRIVEN BY THE ZEAL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Ifeanyi Edi was born and raised
in Onitsha, Anambra State in Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in
Radiology from the University of Nigeria Nsuka, Enugu Campus. Currently he is a
Senior Radiographer in England, combining cross section imaging and plain film
imagining. His hobbies include surfing the web, watching movies and having fun
with friends/family.
Ifeanyi Edi became a radiographer
because of his kin interest in making a difference. While he was yet to enter
the university he came across the radiology profession from his sister and
being that he didn’t want to join the band wagon of becoming either a doctor,
medical lab scientist or others, he decided to pick radiology as it was novel
to him then. Right now as a radiographer the moments he enjoys most are when
the images in his mind about a case correspond with the images present in the
film captured.
According to him Radiology/Radiography
in Nigeria could be said to still be in its budding phase due to the leniency
in training, the lack of emphasis on the need of continuous proficiency
development, lack of required standard machines and the insufficient provisions
on radiation protection has left the profession wanting in respect to its
counterparts abroad. Hence the longing to practice radiology abroad.
Our guest desire to migrate to
England was infused in his thoughts prior to his leaving the university. This
was birthed by factors like the socioeconomic situation of the country, the
manner of training and practice given to radiologist. Since he was determined
to migrate, he knew the next step will be getting his finances in check, as he
would be financing himself. So once he started his internship he saved up and
began pursuing his dream.
On arriving England he was met
with various challenges in communication, continuous professional development
courses and being alone. Most of the above challenges and occupational shocks
like the great importance attached to monitoring of dosage and radiation safety
experienced, merely lasted for 3 months.
As a radiographer in England, a typical week for him, involves him
taking rotational shifts capturing plain film and Cross section images.
Although he comes to Nigeria occasionally on visitation, he still maintains
that only humanitarian activities can make him relocate back to Nigeria.
Ifeanyi Edi has countless
informative Advice imbedded in the interview video for the radiology department
in Nigeria, youths intending to migrate, radiographers in Nigeria seeking to
practice abroad and all those based in diaspora. He encourages Nigerian youth
to continue to stand up for their right and he is certain that if we do Nigeria
is going to attain a significant change in the right direction.
BECOMING A NURSE WAS A DIVINE CALLING BECAUSE IT FALLS IN LINE WITH
MY CORE VALUE, WHICH IS HELPING PEOPLE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE POINT IN LIFE.
Martin Chukwudi Ozioko hails from Enugu State Nigeria, he graduated from the
university of Nigeria Enugu Campus in 2015, where he obtained his B.Sc. in
Nursing and was deployed to Bauchi state in 2016 for his one year NYSC program, during the period when the Boko
Haram insurgency was rampaging in the North, he was brave to remain in the North
to serve his nation, even when his fellow Corps members were redeploying to the
east and the west for fear of their lives. After his one-year service to the nation, Martin
remained in the north to take up a humanitarian job with a non-governmental
organization in Borno state which was the boiling point of the Boko Haram
activities. Martin asserted that serving in the North was a period in
his life that he would forever cherish because doing humanitarian services in
the north ushered in the opportunity to leave Nigeria to pursue his dream of
practicing as a Nurse in England.
Martin Currently lives in England and works with NHS England as a
staff nurse at the surgery and cancer unit in Leighton hospital Crewe.
Growing up Martin never envisage that he would become a nurse someday,
his dream was to become an Engineer like his Uncle who was a Mechanical
engineer. Sadly, he lost his Uncle in 2006 and because of his great influence
in his life, he wanted to replace him as the next Engineer in the family, but
he was unable to pursue his goal because he was not good at math which he believed
was a prerequisite for becoming an engineer. He decided to study Nursing as
advised by his Aunties, who must have noticed his passion and undeniable love
for helping people at their most vulnerable state.
While Studying nursing at the University of Nigeria, Martin already
knew he wanted to practice abroad because the country did not in any way
provide room for interdisciplinary collaboration on patient care as done
abroad. According to him “working in Nigeria would not drive me to do well in
the field”.
Immediately after bravely serving Nigeria in Bauchi at the heat of the
insurgency and knowing that finance was a big tool to him attaining his dream
of practicing abroad, he once again took the bull by the horns forsaking low
paying jobs in his home state Enugu or other Eastern states and headed to
Borno state where he knew quit few people and at the heart of the insurgency, to work with various Non-governmental
agencies.
It was at this time of working in Borno that he started the process
for actualizing his dream of practicing abroad. This involved him writing the computer-based
examination that will earn him a license and the IELTS which he almost
gave up on after his best got him failing the exam four times. Thankfully he did not give up as he looked at
failing as an opportunity to learn more and the exams as one he needed to pass
for both himself and for his family who
had toiled to see him through the university to become a Nurse.
His decision to leave the country although, majorly centered on the
desire to attain professional satisfaction in the nursing profession, cannot also
be said to exist in isolation of other factors like financial pressure, bad governance
and poor regard of nurses in the country.
Arriving England sure made him happy but he still had to face other
challenges like the weather, food, manner of communication, difference in
jokes, fun, banters, dressing and sadly loneliness as being away from family or
friends which sometimes set in depressive states.
Martin had lots more to say in his interview inclusive of the fact
that he still believes Nigeria will be great again considering the level of
human resources and bright minds she has and hopes for good governance someday.
He hopes to see a Nigeria, where professionals in the health sector would
practice interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care, stop professional
consciousness of overshadowing patient care and making their professions come first,
forgetting that without patients the professions wouldn’t exist.
His advice to nurses out there
who aspires to pursue their dreams elsewhere, is to be dedicated, hardworking, to ensure to obtain the prerequisite skills and to be humble and
diligent. Also, for young people out
there who intend to migrate to other country, he urges them to plan their moves,
stay focused and be to be determined.
To Nigeria he says quit magnifying your geographical differences and
to those in diaspora he advices to go back home to establish the good things seen
abroad.
