Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO’s Miss Rutendo Kahari (19) has stepped closer to her dream of becoming a biomedical researcher after she travelled to Kenya and is now attached at a hospital there.
At the age of 16, Miss Kahari lost her father Mr Grain Kahari to a conductive heart problem that he had battled for 10 years.
It was when her father was battling health problems that Miss Kahari watched and learned about all the pills that her father was taking.
Upon his death in 2019, Miss Kahari got deeply interested in studying how to prevent and treat diseases that cause illness and death.
Miss Kahari who studied Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry at Speciss College in Bulawayo, is an aspiring biomedical researcher.
This entails employing scientific research to help people live healthier lives.
Through her family, Miss Kahari set up a GoFundMe account to raise money so that she studies in Kenya after being accepted by Elective Africa to be part of a programme where she will shadow doctors for five weeks in that country.
All other members of this cohort are from the United States and she is being mentored by some of Africa’s and the world’s most accomplished biotech scientists, including some from Harvard University.
Needing US$7 500 Miss Kahari through the GoFundMe account has raised US$4 000 and her mother Mrs Janet Kahari said she is now in Kenya.
“We are glad to say that Rutendo travelled to Kenya on June 9 and started her internship programme on June 10 at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa.
She has settled in well.
“Through well wishers we have raised US$4 000 out of US$7 500.
The money raised so far was used for air tickets and payment for the initial two weeks of the programme.
She needs US$3 500 to enable her to pay for six more weeks so that she completes eight weeks of the internship programme,” said Mrs Kahari.
She said her daughter was grateful to all that helped her realise her dream of being a biomedical researcher.
“Rutendo is super excited to have made it to Kenya.
She is so so grateful to everyone that has contributed in making her dream come to true.
Rutendo is not only the youngest but she is the only African in the group.
She is proud and feels honoured to be representing our beautiful country Zimbabwe and our extraordinary continent, Africa,” said Mrs Kahari.
She said as a family they continue to ask for support to raise the shortfall.
“As a family we are humbled by the amazing support that we have received from across the globe.
Glory be to God.
We are very proud of Rutendo and are confident she will achieve her goals for the internship programme in Kenya.
We continue to appeal for support to enable Rutendo to complete her internship programme,” said Mrs Kahari.
She said the internship was a huge step for Rutendo who will be applying to universities around the world. — Follow on Twitter @bonganinkunzi
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