Celebrating My Personal Achievement: How Gavi Helped Me Make It Happen
Life is full of challenges, and achieving personal milestones can be one of the most rewarding experiences. As we grow and learn, it’s essential to have a support system to help us along the way. For me, that support came from Gavi, an organization focused on providing access to life-saving vaccines to developing countries.
Introduction
Before I dive into my personal achievement and the role Gavi played, I want to briefly touch on the importance of vaccination. Access to vaccines is critical in preventing the spread of diseases, and yet, there are still many countries where vaccines are not readily available. Gavi works to change that by working with partners to provide affordable vaccines in developing countries.
Now, let me share my story and the ways in which Gavi helped me achieve my personal goal.
My Personal Achievement
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to travel to Africa. My fascination with the continent started when I was a child, and I would spend hours pouring over photographs in National Geographic magazines. As I got older, my curiosity and desire to explore Africa only grew stronger.
However, as a young adult, I lacked the means to make this dream a reality. I didn’t come from a wealthy family, and I was working part-time jobs to pay for college. It seemed like a trip to Africa would stay out of reach for me.
The Role of Gavi
That’s where Gavi came in. When I was 22 years old, I began working as an intern at Gavi’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. While there, I learned about the organization’s work in developing countries and the impact they were having on global health.
One day, someone mentioned that each year, Gavi employees had the opportunity to apply for a grant to support a project of their choice. The grants were intended to encourage employees to get involved in Gavi’s mission and bring their experiences back to the organization.
I knew immediately what I wanted to do. I wanted to use the grant to make my dream of traveling to Africa a reality.
After submitting my proposal, I waited anxiously to hear back. When I received an email confirming my grant had been approved, I was overjoyed. I couldn’t wait to plan my trip and see the continent I had longed to visit for so many years.
The Trip of a Lifetime
In August of 2017, I traveled to Tanzania, where I spent three weeks exploring the country. I visited national parks, went on safaris, and hiked to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
One of the most meaningful experiences of my trip was visiting a school in a rural village. Children there had been receiving vaccines through Gavi’s programs. I was able to learn about the impact these vaccines were having on their lives and see firsthand the difference Gavi was making.
Conclusion
Looking back, I realize that my trip to Africa was not just a personal achievement but also an opportunity to see the incredible work Gavi does on the ground. Their dedication to increasing access to vaccines is making a real difference in people’s lives.
I feel fortunate to have had the support of Gavi to make my dream a reality, and I hope to pay it forward by continuing to support their mission in any way I can.
