An international student’s experience of a community-based approach to service provision

Kassim Elmi Ibrahim is a medical student at the University of Waterloo Canada. He shares his experience of serving the less privileged members of the community through an exchange program between Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative and the University of Waterloo.

“I was a refugee in Kenya and living there I was well versed with the most pressing challenges people in humble backgrounds suffer from. This is the reason I came to ROM to serve people in disadvantaged communities,” he said.

“The exposure and experience I have acquired from the counselling section to laboratory and community is unlimited and I am determined to apply it at medical school back in Canada,” Kassim added.

It is at ROM that Kassim learnt a life lesson…Small or much, any kind of helm matters if it can change a life.

Kassim’s most interesting experience at ROM is the inclusive organization culture that embraces staff from all social classes. “I have been inspired by the love and care exhibited by the Community and TB Treatment Supporters who easily connect with patients thereby reducing HIV related stigma both at the facility and in communities.” He added.

The wishful  medical doctor is set to utilise the knowledge he has acquired at ROM to transform lives of vulnerable people wherever he will serve.