Empower Ghawayne's Dream of Becoming a Doctor

Many of you may already know my story, but I want to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Ghawayne Calvin, and my journey in the US began in 2013 when I migrated from Jamaica to Omaha, NE. At the tender age of 14, I found myself in an unfamiliar environment, forcing me to adapt quickly to new surroundings. Beyond this, I also took on a part-time job in the fast-food industry to provide crucial financial support to my five younger siblings and my mother, who were still in Jamaica.

Growing up as the third oldest of eight children, I saw how the harsh realities of poverty affected our lives. Despite my mother's efforts to provide for us, her employment never yielded enough to fulfill our needs. When I was 14 years old, my mother expressed the dire situation back home—there was no food for my siblings to eat, and she needed my help. That conversation marked the start of a decade-long journey as my family’s financial provider.

Balancing school, extracurricular commitments, and work obligations was challenging, especially for a new immigrant of my age. However, I was motivated to develop strategies that would allow me to excel academically while also contributing to the welfare of my relatives in Jamaica. Through a lot of hard work and the unwavering support of my community, I was able to successfully apply to and get accepted by several colleges, ultimately deciding to attend Stanford University.

Unfortunately, like the rest of the world, things took a bad turn during the pandemic of 2020. Both my mother and I lost our jobs, and there wasn’t enough room for me to return home. Thankfully, I was able to seek shelter with a classmate. However, my family found themselves in an untenable situation as we did not have a home that could accommodate my mom, her husband, and my siblings. At that moment, I decided to use all of my savings to build my family home during the pandemic. In June 2020, for the first time in my mother’s 43 years of living, she stepped into a home that was hers. Today, that house stands as a symbol of hope and empowerment. It reminds me that regardless of the hardship I endured, I will always have a home to return to—a place where memories and love will forever reside.

At the same time, my brothers began applying to college in Jamaica. I knew that our family did not have the necessary finances to fund their education, so I made a promise to them that I would postpone my medical education to support their aspirations. With help from a friend, I accepted a full-time role that has allowed me to not only support my two brothers' college education but also cover the educational expenses of three other younger siblings and my cousin.

I'm proud to share that my efforts have yielded wonderful results. One of my brothers graduated from Teachers' College and hopes to begin teaching secondary Social Studies and English in the Spring of 2025. My other brother is still in college, working towards a Biochemistry degree with about 1-2 years left before he graduates. My sister is attending a prestigious high school in Jamaica and aspires to follow in my footsteps to pursue a medical degree. Most recently, my baby brother and cousin took the national high school entrance exams and excelled, earning places at two of the top high schools in the country. I am super eager to see where they go.

Unfortunately, my mother recently fell ill. In addition to covering educational expenses and daily necessities, I took on the responsibility of her medical expenses. Due to all of this, I have had to split my finances between my needs and those of my younger siblings because I want them to continue their education.

Now, I am preparing to take the next step in my journey: attending medical school. The expenses associated with this move are substantial, and I am reaching out to ask for your support. I am eager to represent low-income families who have been marginalized in healthcare systems. My mission is to amplify these voices and work to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients who face financial challenges.

Unfortunately, I don't have a permanent home in the US, so since college, I have had to move all my belongings with me. As a result, moving to Nebraska will be a significant expense. Balancing the needs of my mother's medical bills and the cost of my siblings' education has placed me in a tight spot. Despite all the budgetary cuts I have made over the years, I do not have the necessary finances to cover it all.

Your contribution will help cover relocation costs, supplies, and other essential expenses. This support will make a significant difference in my journey, allowing me to focus on my studies and achieve my dream of becoming a doctor.

Thank you for considering my request. Your generosity will have a profound impact not only on my life but also on the lives of those I aspire to help in the future.