A Medical Student Seeking Support
Donation protected
My name is Tsige Gebreslasse. I am currently a third year medical student at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine at Chicago (UI COM), with an interest in Surgery or Internal Medicine (IM) and Infectious Disease. I am writing because I want to ask for your time and generosity in considering supporting me on a medical rotation to Ethiopia this December.
Before writing this letter, I decided to read my personal essay that I wrote three years ago when applying to medical school. I wanted to see if I still have the same values, beliefs, ambitions and passion that drove me to apply and ultimately to become a physician. When reading my essay, I realized that my awareness and knowledge about medicine has increased significantly (of course after 3 years of schooling). I was also happy to see that the ultimate goal still remains to become a physician and return to my home country Ethiopia to practice. I want to be the best physician who serves people with limited resources. The purpose of this fundraising letter is to help me achieve that goal.
In December of 2015, I would like to do an away rotation in General/Trauma Surgery at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia for one month. Before I get into the details of the budget I would like to tell you a bit about myself, my short- and long-term goals and the reason for my interest in the December rotation.
I was born and raised in the Ethiopian region Tigray in a small town called Nebelet. I moved to the United States of America in 2005 at the age of 16. I attended part of high school, graduated in 2007 and then received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Wheaton College in Illinois in 2011. Soon after high school, I became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) so I could work and earn money to cover some of my college and living expenses. After 4 years of college and 5 years of working as a CNA, I started medical school at the UI COM in 2013. This was such a joy and a big step for me since I have been working all of my life to become a physician.
Many people ask why I want to return to Ethiopia, and I have a simple answer: I want to serve. This has been a dream of mine since my earliest memories as a child. The interest is not only rooted in skills that I will acquire in my medical training, but also in the culture and language competency I have as a native Ethiopian. I speak Tigrina, Amharic, and English which will allow me to serve a large population back home.
My interest to complete a medial rotation this December, has a lot to do with the grand plan of me returning to Ethiopia after residency. My long term goal is to combat the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and work in the Department of Medical Education in Ethiopia in addition to practicing as a physician. Doing an early rotation this December will help me understand and learn how the health system works in Ethiopia. I plan to work hand in hand with health providers and patients’ to enhance my experience. Being there in person is extremely important to make the connections and truly experience Ethiopian healthcare.
However, finances have always been the limiting factor. This is why I am asking everyone reading this page to donate what they can to help me achieve my goals this December.
The estimated budget for the entire trip is $2900 and is as follow
1. Air plane ticket = $1500
2. Apartment rent for one month =$800
3. Food =$300
4. Ground Transport =$300
You can donate here or send a check to my home in the follow address
908 South Bishop St Apt #2
Chicago IL, 60607
If you have any questions or want to get in touch with me please call me at 773 495 4747 or email me at [email redacted]
Thank you so much for your support and generosity.
May God bless you!
Sincerely,
Tsige Gebreslasse
Before writing this letter, I decided to read my personal essay that I wrote three years ago when applying to medical school. I wanted to see if I still have the same values, beliefs, ambitions and passion that drove me to apply and ultimately to become a physician. When reading my essay, I realized that my awareness and knowledge about medicine has increased significantly (of course after 3 years of schooling). I was also happy to see that the ultimate goal still remains to become a physician and return to my home country Ethiopia to practice. I want to be the best physician who serves people with limited resources. The purpose of this fundraising letter is to help me achieve that goal.
In December of 2015, I would like to do an away rotation in General/Trauma Surgery at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia for one month. Before I get into the details of the budget I would like to tell you a bit about myself, my short- and long-term goals and the reason for my interest in the December rotation.
I was born and raised in the Ethiopian region Tigray in a small town called Nebelet. I moved to the United States of America in 2005 at the age of 16. I attended part of high school, graduated in 2007 and then received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Wheaton College in Illinois in 2011. Soon after high school, I became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) so I could work and earn money to cover some of my college and living expenses. After 4 years of college and 5 years of working as a CNA, I started medical school at the UI COM in 2013. This was such a joy and a big step for me since I have been working all of my life to become a physician.
Many people ask why I want to return to Ethiopia, and I have a simple answer: I want to serve. This has been a dream of mine since my earliest memories as a child. The interest is not only rooted in skills that I will acquire in my medical training, but also in the culture and language competency I have as a native Ethiopian. I speak Tigrina, Amharic, and English which will allow me to serve a large population back home.
My interest to complete a medial rotation this December, has a lot to do with the grand plan of me returning to Ethiopia after residency. My long term goal is to combat the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and work in the Department of Medical Education in Ethiopia in addition to practicing as a physician. Doing an early rotation this December will help me understand and learn how the health system works in Ethiopia. I plan to work hand in hand with health providers and patients’ to enhance my experience. Being there in person is extremely important to make the connections and truly experience Ethiopian healthcare.
However, finances have always been the limiting factor. This is why I am asking everyone reading this page to donate what they can to help me achieve my goals this December.
The estimated budget for the entire trip is $2900 and is as follow
1. Air plane ticket = $1500
2. Apartment rent for one month =$800
3. Food =$300
4. Ground Transport =$300
You can donate here or send a check to my home in the follow address
908 South Bishop St Apt #2
Chicago IL, 60607
If you have any questions or want to get in touch with me please call me at 773 495 4747 or email me at [email redacted]
Thank you so much for your support and generosity.
May God bless you!
Sincerely,
Tsige Gebreslasse
Organizer
Tsige Gebre
Organizer
Chicago, IL