The Oli Health Magazine Organization (OHMO) team
Olivier Uwishema
Olivier Uwishema, a Rwandan now studying medicine in Turkey, used money he saved from his monthly scholarship stipend to create a non-profit, an organisation which is now helping to translate and distribute vital Covid-19 information in 26 languages.
“In response to the Covid-19 crisis and in recognition of the need for timely information relevant to primary care, I immediately started my project of Coronavirus Global Awareness to make sure no one is left on the sidelines of this coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, adding that more than 200 medical students, medical residents, and doctors have joined the initiative.
In 2018, Uwishema founded the Oli Health Magazine Organization (OHMO), with the mission of engaging young people in professional health education and scientific research.
Then in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and Uwishema knew he couldn’t just stand on the sidelines.
“Being a Rwandan medical student abroad pushed me to realize that I should stop being a spectator. Rather, I need to become part of the solutions to the most pressing health issues in my community,” he said.
Uwishema says that students from Harvard Medical School are part of a team that includes people from all over the world who are now involved in the creation and translation of accessible COVID-19 resources into English, Turkish, French, Kinyarwanda, Swahili and 21 other languages.
“The collaboration between OHMO and Harvard Medical School is based on resources where OHMO collaborates with the school student organizations to provide accessible, evidence-based COVID-19 information in many languages, vetted by physicians, professors from Harvard and other professional health providers worldwide,” Uwishema said.
The Oli Health Magazine Organization (OHMO) founder Olivier Uwishema
Olivier Uwishema
Uwishema, who was featured by the United Nation Youth Envoy’s top 10 list of young people who are fighting COVID-19 across the globe, says that his experiences growing up in Rwanda have motivated him in his current efforts.
“I vividly remember how many clinics in my country were understaffed and did not have accurate information on some diseases” he said, “This experience made me want to pursue medical studies so that I could be a part of the solution of delivering health care and building strong health systems in my country and beyond.”
In addition to the global work, Uwishema is also trying to help his home country. OHMO is working with authorities in Nyamagabe District in Rwanda to keep teaching young people to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 by properly wearing face masks, proper hand washing and utilizing hand sanitizers.
OHMO also organized a national student competition in Rwanda, which is educating Rwandan young people, especially students, about how they can help their community and fight against COVID-19.
“The competition is targeting students from high schools and universities in Rwanda and students who participate in this competition will benefit from learning about COVID-19, receiving participation certificates, and prizes to the winners,” Uwishema said.
Uwishema says the goal of that project is to increase awareness of the novel coronavirus providing informative resources that are accessible to people from many backgrounds and levels of health education, as well as producing resources to teach people about preventative measures they can take around the home and in their own lives.
“The Covid-19 pandemic taught me that we are all the same human beings,” he said, “I believe that through collaboration there is a kinder, more compassionate world we can build together.”
Preventative measures against COVID-19 in Rwanda.
AFP via Getty Images
Another Rwandan in STEM who is making a difference is Alice Mukashyaka. As co-founder of edtech social enterprise Starlight, she is introducing young Rwandans to basic electronics.
She uses solar lamp kits and other projects to help teach young people –especially girls– how to pursue a career in STEM.
