[E]ver since the base of our existence, humans have been the dominant life force on earth. In other words we are the main predator on earth. But one day I came across a photo that changed my thoughts about my theory of us being the predators. This photo was one that Pulitzer Prize-winning Kevin Carter witnessed first hand. It is the photo of an African girl in Sudan lying on the ground, who appears to be dead. The part that touched my heart, as well as many other people, was the vulture sitting behind the girl. Vultures are creatures that prey on dead carcasses. This girl was not yet dead, but she was so malnourished and lacking medical care, that even the vulture realized the time had almost come for her. This brought many thoughts into my mind. We are the dominant life forces on earth, but just like this African girl, there are millions like her that suffer from the same malnourishment and lack of medical care. This photo opened my eyes and made me realize that I can help make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and it made me appreciate the opportunities that were bestowed upon me. This event inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field.
Growing up I never really had much besides intelligence. I soon became aware that there were people who had it much worse than me. I also became aware that there were people that were as intelligent and more so than me, that fail to use their opportunities to help those who don’t have the same privileges that I believe every human should be granted. This pushed me to want to be successful enough, so that I could share with the people who never had a chance to be successful. Being in the medical field would give me a chance to accomplish this. After working in the field long enough to financially support my family, I want to join Médecins Sans Frontières. This organization is what most people know as Doctors Without Borders.
Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF) provides assistance in more than 60 countries to those people whose survival is threatened by malnutrition, violence, neglect, catastrophe, epidemics, lack of health care, or natural disasters. MSF also provides assistance to those that need it the most. MSF also reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols. It is an organization that isn’t really in the spotlight, or given enough credit to. But the whole purpose is not to be thanked, because helping countless people should be the thanks and the ultimate reward.
After graduating Medical school, joining this non-profit organization is my biggest goal because it allows me to accomplish the goal that made me pursue the medical field to begin with, to make a difference in the world. Whether it be one starving child, an abused mother or a whole village of people who just lost their homes due to an earthquake, being able to drastically improve the life of any of them would be something you couldn’t put a price on.
JustJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Allen Gomez as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for his essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.