Writing The Future Scholarship: Winners

We usually clean a whole house in 3 hours, but those 3 hours feel more like years. Usually by the time we finish, we all feel proud. I would then ask my mom how much they paid her, as I wanted to know if those 3 hours of sweat and work were worth it. Most of the time, all I wanted to know is if we had enough so we can at least stop at a McDonald’s, Wendy’s or Chipotle. She would explain that she did get paid, but never tell me how much. She would then say yes to going to McDonald’s, and I would usually be more excited about going to eat that soon after I forgot. But I was not fine with that.

One day, out of curiosity, I found a check that my mom would get for one of her cleanings. I was surprised by the amount as I simply could not believe that we were there cleaning big houses for approximately only $90. This is when I knew I had to change things. I tried explaining to my mom that what her customers were giving her is simply not enough money, to which my mom responded that it is better to have low prices as you are hired more times by people. I could not argue with that as it is true.

My grandfather was diagnosed with dementia and as the years went by, it slowly became worse and worse. In May, he will be 80 years old, and this year has hit the hardest. It all started in August when he could no longer walk without falling down. It progressed and reached the point where he was hospitalized and sent to rehab. Finally, months later, he was able to come home.

Living at home with a wheelchair and walker had its own challenges. Living at home with my grandmother as his primary caregiver presented even more. My grandfather needs constant supervision. His mind is not what it used to be, and he forgets what day it is, what he did that day, when he ate, why he can no longer walk, or why his ankles have swollen. My grandmother does everything she possibly can to take good care of him, but she too has aged. She has problems walking as well and struggles to pick up my grandfather after he has fallen or needs help standing. Many times she’s fallen herself and had to endure broken ribs and stressful evenings.

It is a common misconception in American culture that injustices like racism and sexism exist in a distant reality. However, people like me can testify that racism is still a huge problem today. It often shows up subtly through microaggressions or even in media. Sometimes, it can be abrupt through the words of someone at school, work, or the grocery store.

The solution to cultural problems such as this may be complex, but it always starts with the willingness to raise awareness. People do not try to be racist but are taught certain ideas through their culture and environments. Often times the best way they do this is to simply call out injustice. Homeland security would put it, “if you see something, say something.”

Around a week later as I worked on a worksheet, I overheard a low subtle laughter going on behind me. When I turned around, I saw a group of girls calling the new student’s hair ugly and saying she had her hair way too long. They even made fun of her for wearing the same clothes in a row for two to three days. I was frustrated at the bullies who were making fun of her, but before I said something I saw the new girl run out of class with tears in her eyes.

The next day, the new student came with her hair cut to a shorter length. It seemed as if she cut it on her own, because her hair strands were uneven. The girls who made fun of her the day before made even more fun of her. After the teacher caught them laughing, she decided to change the new student’s seat. Since there was an empty seat next to me, the teacher moved her next to me while the bullies chattered away. In that moment, I thought: This is my moment to make her feel better. I told her not to listen to the bullies, because they didn’t have anything nice to say; and about how they felt insecure about themselves, which is why they put down and intimidate other people. She never said anything back to me, but I respected her and thought about how nervous she might be feeling to even talk to anyone by now. When lunchtime came, I saw that no one sat next to her, so I did. She was very shy to open up in the beginning, but I never gave up on her. I thought: If no one decides to be her friend, what will become of her?

In many developing countries there is an appalling stigma towards people with mental illness. Many people view them as incapable and are thought of as inferior. There are no proper treatments for the mentally ill, they are usually shunned and are never allowed to play an active role in society. More often than not, people view mental illness as embarrassing, dangerous, or even possession by supernatural forces. This leaves the mentally ill in a position where they are unable to obtain the help that they so desperately need. Some even refuse to acknowledge that they need help because they do not want to be looked down upon. I am glad that I was able to come here because I had so many opportunities around me that helped me discover my passion. My goal is to help spread mental health awareness in the Somali community and to do that I became the treasurer of the Northeastern’s Somali Student Association (SSA). I help plan events that revolve around mental care and how students should take care of their mental health by learning to manage their workload. Soon the SSA plans on having events that discuss the stigmatization of mental illnesses, especially in the diaspora. I am also currently working with the president of SSA to create a play discussing the negative views the community has about therapy and seeking mental help. It will address why many Somali people do not value therapy and see psychology as a profession for the truly insane. Times, however, are slowly changing and I have seen an increase interest in the Somali community regarding mental health awareness. I attended many events and participated in a great deal of the programming, and even plan to run some events myself. This spring in fact, the Somali Student Association is planning on coordinating an event that will address mental health and how that pertains to the civil war in Somalia as well as the diaspora. Although, one thing I noticed was that the events were mainly attended by the youth. The older generation believes that psychology will not help people but instead would hurt them. The younger generation that grew up in more developed nations, has a harder time conveying their viewpoint due to the different cultures each generation was raised in.

My mother went into remission approximately a year later and I wrote her oncologist a two-page letter thanking her for saving my mother’s life. At that point in my life, I knew I was intrigued by science, but I had no idea what career I would choose to pursue. However, this all changed a few years ago when I went to my mom’s yearly checkup with her and saw patients suffering with the same cancer that tried to take my mom away from me and it really bothered me. I took these emotions, along with my gratitude towards my mom’s oncologist, and I realized then and there that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be an oncologist.

I intend on attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst on the premed track with a major in cellular biology, and going into medical school after that so I too can become an oncologist. Attending college would open so many doors for me and allow me the chance to put my passion into a career helping people in need. I recognize the goal I have is not easily achieved and there will be many obstacles and challenges along the way that will try to impede my success of this dream of mine, but my experience and that of my mother will be pushing me through the many years of schooling that lie ahead of me.

I also recognize that all this schooling will be a financial difficulty for my family and me to cover on our own and that is why I am asking for your help. I am willing to put in 110% percent of my effort and be completely devoted to pursuing this dream of mine. I work with professors on research opportunities outside of the classroom and will do whatever I can do to better myself if I am awarded the money to allow me to do so. I accept this task because it will all be worthwhile when I am the one that saves a little girl’s mom and gives her the chance to see her kid graduate, or gives another chance of life to people who thought that they had to sit back and accept the harsh cards that life had dealt for them. I’m not saying I want to be God and decide who lives and who dies, but I want to do all that is in my power to give someone the chance at the life they deserve, a cancer-free life.