Experience of HealthRight Intern in Kenya Through the Lens of: Our SemegaChange CEO

Health Right International (HealthRight), a non-profit organization centered on providing health care to various communities globally, held its two-week-long expedition to East Africa. From June 12 to June 23, HealthRight invited 10 undergraduate and 2 graduate students, including Semega Change CEO Niouma Semega, to visit cities in and outside Kenya.

The two-week-long mission trip focused on providing healthcare opportunities and resources to overstretched areas of Africa such as Nairobi, Kenya. 

“During the trip, we did numerous things [with the organization],” Semega said. “I shadowed community health volunteers (CHVs), worked alongside healthcare workers in different hospitals, and spoke with different NGOs such as “Protect Us Kids.” 

Semega said that by working with these different organizations and departments in Kenya, Semega and her colleagues were able to better understand the Kenyan healthcare system. 

“I think through these different activities, the hospitals provided us a rundown of how public health [of Kenya] is intertwined with their goals,” Semega said. “[To me] that was extremely important because we were able to see the comparison between the American healthcare system and Kenyan healthcare system.”

HealthRight’s Chief Program Officer, Theresa Castillo, said that her work with HealthRight, as well as her Filipino culture, has allowed her to bring a nuanced perspective to her public health work.

“I think the idea of collectivism versus individualism is a huge theme for me and with my work,” Castillo said. “[My culture and work] have made me think more about how my actions affect others and work together for the benefit of all.” 

Castillo said HealthRight’s emphasis on diversity in its workforce has contributed to its effectiveness in the global health realm.

“There are many layers to collaborating and ensuring that we’re not enforcing a neo-colonial model of global development in healthcare,” Castillo said. “[For example], migrant women have a strong role in leading this next wave of what decolonization [in global health] looks like.”

On a similar note, Semega said that HealthRight’s mission was highly effective due to its workers. 

“Although it's an American nonprofit, instead of hiring expats to travel to these countries to do the work, they hire Kenyans within those counties to do the work,” Semega said. “I feel like that is a step closer to achieving true change because hiring Kenyan workers already puts the services at an advantage because those in the communities know how to assist one another better.” 

From a business perspective, Semega believes that HealthRight’s core values and practices are similar to Semega Change as an establishment. 

“I believe that HealthRight, as well as Semega Change, work to shed light and resources on different organizations and resources,” Semega said. “We highlight [our features] with wonderful stories and acknowledgments on our website so their audience can see the work they may not have been able to see before.”

Semega said that her experience with HealthRight in Kenya was both educational and enjoyable, representing the 

“[The Kenyan locals and students] were extremely welcoming and extremely helpful,” Semega said. “I think having Kenyans join us on our travels made the experience more fulfilling. I foresee a long-lasting relationship with everyone from the trip.”