{"id":69851,"date":"2025-09-10T10:09:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T07:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fawe.org\/?p=69851"},"modified":"2025-09-10T10:09:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T07:09:37","slug":"if-i-can-they-can-too-jennifers-journey-to-the-commonwealth-scholarship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fawe.org\/en\/if-i-can-they-can-too-jennifers-journey-to-the-commonwealth-scholarship\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018If I can, they can too!\u2019: Jennifer\u2019s Journey to the Commonwealth Scholarship"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Emily Buyaki,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Communication Officer, FAWE <\/strong><\/p>\n

Meet 29 year old Jennifer Sakiya, a determined young woman from the Upper East Region of Ghana and proud recipient of the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship. She will be joining the University of Glasgow to study Masters in Public Health course. Her journey into public health, specifically epidemiology, was inspired by the need to understand the causes of diseases and prevent them before they claim lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can identify the source, you can protect communities,\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

she often says, a guiding principle that shapes her vision for the future.<\/p>\n

For Jennifer, education has not come without challenges. Financial struggles were a recurring hurdle, with unpaid fees sometimes threatening to derail her progress. But resilience kept her moving forward. \u201cYou have to be determined,\u201d she reflects, \u201cbecause without persistence, you won\u2019t reach your dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Commonwealth Scholarship, she explains, is not just about her, it\u2019s a chance to inspire other girls. Many young women in her community are unaware such opportunities even exist. Jennifer hopes her own story will show them that scholarships like this are within reach.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can do it, they can too,\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

she says, emphasizing her commitment to mentoring and raising awareness among girls who might otherwise give up after a single rejection.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a friend called Alice who introduced me to the Commonwealth Scholarship. She encouraged me to apply even though I was skeptical as I have applied to so many scholarships and gotten rejected. This time it was different; I was nominated by FAWE Ghana Chapter, and the rest is history.\u201d. She adds. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Her plans are deeply rooted in giving back. After her studies, Jennifer plans on returning home to serve communities affected by illegal mining, where youth often lack awareness of the dangers of mercury, cyanide, and dust exposure. She dreams of providing education, free health screenings, and advocacy to protect vulnerable populations. Beyond that, she hopes to specialize further with a PhD in epidemiology and eventually work with global institutions such as the CDC or WHO, extending her impact across Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n

But Jennifer\u2019s story is not all academics and advocacy. She has a playful, adventurous side. She loves hiking, being in nature, and exploring waterfalls, rivers, and forests. She enjoys drawing, painting, and listening to music, particularly gospel and Rhythm and Blues (R&B). She is also multilingual, fluent in several Ghanaian languages in addition to English. And while she doesn\u2019t have a favorite food, she laughs about how much she enjoys meals depending on her mood.<\/p>\n

When asked about women who inspire her, Jennifer lights up as she speaks of Ghana\u2019s current Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. She admires her intelligence, resilience, and the courage it takes to lead in such a challenging role.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s smart, strong, and dedicated to the girl child. I would love to meet her one day and thank her for everything she\u2019s doing for Ghana.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jennifer\u2019s message to girls across Africa is clear: never give up. She applied for multiple scholarships\u2014sometimes facing rejection\u2014but she never let it stop her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s always a first time for everything. You need to be resilient, because with persistence, you will achieve what you want.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jennifer Sakiya embodies the spirit of FAWE\u2019s vision: a young woman in action, determined to redefine the future of education and health in Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Emily Buyaki, Communication Officer, FAWE Meet 29 year old Jennifer Sakiya, a determined young woman from the Upper East Region of Ghana and proud recipient of the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship. She will be joining the University of Glasgow to study Masters in Public Health course. 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