Brenda Ogembo / First-Year UBC Student

www.student-services.ubc.ca/awards/index2.html

Innovative scholarship makes dreams a reality.

All donations to UBC help students in some way, but gifts that establish scholarships and bursaries have a direct, personal impact. Brenda Ogembo can attest to that impact-she will start studying at UBC this year thanks to the Global Citizen Scholarship. Ogembo is an international student from Kenya who just completed studies at Lester B. Pearson College in Victoria, an international college that accepts top students entirely on scholarship. Many of these students do not have the funds to continue on to university afterward, which is why an anonymous donor set up an innovative scholarship fund for Pearson students to come to UBC. This opportunity is allowing Ogembo to study science at UBC, and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. "I really wanted to come to UBC. But I had to be realistic-my parents couldn't afford to send me here. I am so grateful to the university and the donor." UBC will benefit from Ogembo's presence as well. Along with having top academic marks, Ogembo was chosen for this scholarship based on her outstanding volunteer work in hospitals and promoting AIDS awareness, and for her contributions to campus life.

Why do you want to be a doctor?

I had malaria and was in the hospital a lot as a child; that was when I first got the idea. By volunteering in hospitals I've learned that helping others is a passion of mine. My interest in biology and chemistry underlined for me that it was what I should do.

What has sparked your interest in AIDS awareness?

11 million children are orphaned each year in Africa because of AIDS. The Luo, my tribe in Kenya, is one of the hardest hit-you see homesteads where there are graves upon graves. I thought that if people knew more, it might help.

What will you do once you finish your studies?

In such times as Kenya is going through, they need the "brain power" to come back to help the country. My education here would be wasted if I didn't apply it back home.

Why are scholarships like the one you received important?

There are so many students out there who have potential, who are intelligent and capable, who don't have opportunities for education because of money. By establishing a scholarship, a donor is providing opportunities that could benefit a whole nation.

Credo:

My mother always says "life is what you make it." I always think of that when I have a choice to make.