Narrative Medicine Project

For my project, I had the pleasure of interviewing a member of the African immigrant community who is also an employee at AFAHO. I have appended excerpts from our interview below. **The interviewee's name has been changed to protect their identity, and any remarks that may divulge identity have been edited.**

Kyle: Hello, how are you today? Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me.

Sarah: Hi Kyle! Thank you so much, I am doing well. I am happy to talk with you today.

Kyle: Can you tell me a little about your life?

Sarah: Of course. I am originally from Ghana. I attended schooling there, from primary school all through to university, taking my undergraduate degree there. I then came to America to study and was able to enroll in a local university and get a graduate degree. I was so happy when I finished! I have worked for different places and currently work at AFAHO. I find this work very rewarding.

Kyle: What do you want people to know about your community?

Sarah: America is growing, and there are a lot of immigrants that are working and helping America to grow. If they [immigrants] need help or support, they are free to connect with us [AFAHO] or another organization. Still, there is a lot more help that is needed. People should know that Africans here are very close and family-oriented people who love the opportunities here, but still want to go back to the continent to help their friends and family when they can.

Kyle: What is your favorite part of the community?

Sarah: How connected we are, but also diverse. We come from many different countries and speak many different languages; our community is very dynamic.

Kyle: What resources or strengths does the community have?

Sarah: Community leaders! We have good and strong community leaders [such as] pastors, imams, and elders. For example, during covid, it was difficult to explain to the community about vaccines, but once we spoke to the community leaders, it was much easier to get people the help they needed. Generally, connecting with community leaders is a good way to go about making change.

Kyle: In terms of your professional and life goals, what is something you think about a lot?

Sarah: Being able to get a professional license in my field. Once I do that I can be there for my community and family. I also think about cherishing the moment.

Kyle: What do you want for the future of the community?

Sarah: I want my community to be able to navigate through the American system and be self-sufficient. I [I want them] to live in American with no fear, and with enough resources to thrive.

Kyle: Is there anything else you would like to say?

Sarah: AFAHO is one of the best things to happen to me. There were a lot of things I did not know before but know now. AFAHO helped me to find a lot of skills I had but did not know I had. Still other skills I developed in my work here. People here believe in me and allow me to be myself. I want the world to hear about the good things AFAHO does!