Bridging the gap between surplus and need

When I was younger like a lot of children, I wanted to be a doctor. Years later, I decided to take another path because I would not be able to stand the sight of too much blood… However, I wanted to find a way to work with healthcare organizations. So now I am interested in some activities related to healthcare (which does not include pools of blood).

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer with a great organization that a lot of people don’t know about and this is the main purpose of this article: spread the word about Medshare.

Did you know that U.S hospitals generate more than two million tons of medical waste each year?  On the other side, some surgeons in developing countries use the same gloves for different patients, washing them until they tear. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 10 children under the age of five die in the developing world due to inadequate medical care. This is the reason why I want to talk about Medshare.

Medshare is a non-profit organization with the mission of bridging the gap between surplus and need of medical supplies around the world. To date, the Southeast Region in partnership with local hospitals have shipped 670 containers of medical supplies and equipment in countries in need. However as you can guess the need is constant, and even increasing especially in Africa with the spread of Ebola.

Whoever you are, you can participate in making a better world. Volunteers are always in need in the different chapters (San Leandro CA, Decatur GA, and Secaucus NJ). Donors are welcomed to support the mission through medical or financial donations. 

If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more about the mission of Medhare, here is the website of the organization. You can also find the requirements to be a recipient. Medshare provides supplies to non-profit organizations only. 

Take a look at some pictures of my first day with this amazing organization. I found out that my country is also a recipient of medical supplies. 

Volunteers at work ...

United States Is Not a Panacea

When I went back in Ivory Coast during winter break, the brother of a friend asked me “Do you think it will be good for anyone to go in U.S in order to get a better life?” He was not talking about someone coming here to study, but actually a person looking for a better job, more money. Ironically, this includes doing some works he or she is not willing to do in his/her home country.

I answered that some poor people in Africa live better than some Americans in United States. Talking about that, I was referring to homeless people. Indeed, it is every day that I see someone living in the street and having a caddy (or just nothing) as all their belongings. We tend to think that these people are junkies, alcoholics…that they deserve what’s happening to them. But the truth is that every story is different and that nobody choose to live in the street. I recently discovered The Homeless GoPro Project. This set of videos aims to create more empathy in the world. The initiators’ goal is to dispel myths and build understanding through firsthand perspective.

For my brothers and sisters in Africa, I also want them to understand something else. United States is the country of dreams, possibilities…I can't deny it but America and Europe do not resolve everything. Living in U.S does not always go along with being rich or happy.  

A lot of people are looking for an Eldorado, not only Africans but everyone thinking that grass is greener on the other side. However, we need to understand that going elsewhere does not guarantee a better life. There is a chance that you succeed in your venture but there is also much more chance that you would have been better off trying to improve your life in your home country.

There are a lot of opportunities (I will soon start to share them) in Ivory Coast for the people eager to do something. Maybe they don’t know how to start or they just haven’t understand yet how great they can be. Today I am in U.S because I had the chance to study abroad. But I can’t tell you how much I want to go back in my country to make a change. I have started to understand that it is not always about the place you live but more about what you want to do and how much you actually want it.