The research assistants on our team in Kisumu, Kenya serve in a variety of roles, all of which contribute to making the research and intervention work we do possible. This team recently conducted in-depth interviews with women and community health promoters (CHPs) who engaged with our Elimisha project. These interviews explored women’s experiences with receiving cervical cancer screening and care and their experience of stigma, and CHPs’ experiences guiding and counselling women through the process of cervical cancer screening and care. After delving into these topics with women and CHPs, this team has been working hard to transcribe, translate and review the conversations. Their dedication, curiosity, and drive to improve the lives of women and families in their communities are abundantly evident in their work.
Keep reading for a window into the lives and personalities of Merceline, Moureen, Belinda and Javan!
Merceline Alala
Question: What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Answer: The most rewarding part of my work is when a client comes back to thank me for making a difference in his/her life.
Q: What does your family mean to you and how do they influence who you are?
A: My family means a lot to me; I really cherish my family for they inspire me to wake up daily and go to work so that my children can go to school and get the basic needs and quality health care whenever they fall sick.
Moureen Atieno
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your work?
A: The most rewarding part of my work is when my fellow staff praise me for being organized and for maintaining a clean working environment.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you or helps to guide you in your personal life?
A: My favorite quote: “It is always the small steps, not the giant leaps that bring a lasting change.”
Belinda Malongo
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your work?
A: Imparting knowledge to the less knowledgeable by the use of various skills & helping clients come up with solutions to their problems.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you or helps to guide you in your personal life?
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
-Steve Jobs
Javan Onung’a Esau
Q: What challenges have you encountered during your research and work and how have you overcome them?
A: Challenges are lost to follow up; what I did to overcome this is to explain the benefits of participants remaining in the study until the end.
Q: What does your family mean to you and how do they influence who you are?
A: Family is a unit where I find love and support. It shapes positive habits in me and enables me to make healthy choices.
Well done! Mercelline, Moureen, Belinda and Javan.
Your commitment and contributions to our team is invaluable. Kudos!