Seble Nebiyeloul, M.H.A.

Coming from a Third World country, I observed that a high crude death rate is a stark indictment of a community or nation’s state of health. That made me aware of and sensitive to the plight of poor people and their lack of health care and preventive medicine. Infant mortality rates, childhood disease, and the spread of communicable disease are rampant in poor communities as a result of uneven distribution of health services, lack of appropriate technology, and inadequate or inappropriate government programs to finance needed services. My concerns about these crucial matters led me to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in allied health with a minor in psychology and then a Master of Science degree in health-care administration.

As long as I remember, effective leadership has been my dream. I am a true believer that one is never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true. In 1997-98, I was one of just nine fellows selected for the national Association of Community Health Centers leadership program, based on dedication to community service and migrant & homeless health centers. I love people, and I am most content when I am able to interact with others on a daily basis. Possessing a natural fondness for nonhuman animal and understanding that they suffer, too, and that the mistreatment of nonhuman animals is linked to human suffering. I have been a vegan for about four years, and I strive to ensure the wellbeing of my two adopted dogs at the home we share in New York.

For over 17 years, I have evolved to meet the ever-changing health needs of whatever community I serve. Since 2001, I have served as site and managed-care director of the Morris Heights Health Center in the Bronx. My commitment to the International Fund for Africa is to translate skills and knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career to improve and develop equitable, effective strategies that address complex and interrelated health care issues in Ethiopia by planning and developing programs that are responsive to community needs, particularly for medically underserved population. I look forward to forming partnerships with members of the community who can help identify cause of health problems.

I am pleased to be able to take a practical and respectful approach to the healing of body and mind, spanning every age, race, and religion, through my association with the IFA. The International Fund for Africa gives me the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of many Ethiopians, as well as to enhance my own intellect, maximizing my ability to serve others.

Melanie Blake

As an immigrant from South Africa, I have experienced my own hardships in life and know what it is like to lack basic necessities. Therefore I am very much aware that one person or organization can change a person’s life forever. My goal in life is to make a difference and spread compassion around the world for humans and nonhumans alike. Therefore I am currently working on a project that will instill these ideas in young children and make them more aware of the world around them.

Animals have been a special presence in my life since I was very young. I have always had a soft spot for animals in need and have undertaken to help those who cannot help themselves, humans and other animals alike. Although I have always been aware of the animals’ plight, I did not realize the extent of it till my a video about the fur trade in China opened my eyes. That was a turning point in my life. I became a vegan and began researching the truth behind what was happening in our world. I have since become an active member of numerous animal organizations. I promote a vegan lifestyle. I want others to understand the interconnectedness in our world as a vegan lifestyle helps not only the animals and people but also the environment, which is suffering just as much these days.

I support many organizations that are voices for those who cannot speak for themselves, including humans. As a South African citizen, I have witnessed the hardships and impoverished conditions that stem from cruelty and hatred. Still today in South Africa there exists an alarming contrast between the comfortable homes and the townships. In particular, as AIDS is such a problem in my home country, I want to help children orphaned and abandoned by their parents due to this disease. I do not believe any person should have to suffer and have their childhood and opportunities stolen from them before they have a chance to succeed.

My life has been consumed with and devoted to my children – they are our hope for the future. As a mother of three, I have striven to educate my children about making the right choices in life and the importance of education. I strove to instill in them compassion, kindness, respect and caring for all those in need. My children have been surrounded by animals their entire lives, and their love for their own animals has caused them to choose a vegan lifestyle after witnessing and realizing, as I did, the truth behind the façade. We spend each day loving and caring for our animals: Peaches, Mittens, Muffin, Lance, Sugar, Oliver, Mia, Danny and Juno.

My children’s future has been my main inspiration to improve this world. My wish is that giving them the opportunities I was never given, they can do some work that I might not be able to accomplish in my lifetime. Therefore I have also shown them how lucky they are and how other individuals are not so privileged. Although opening their eyes to the real world is painful, I believe that everyone should stop feigning ignorance and confront the harsh realities of the world that mankind has created so we can work together to remedy these problems. I am proud to say that my children are currently working on their own projects and continue to help me with my goal of making this world a better place by improving humanity and being a voice for all those who are less fortunate.