01 Jul Fight Covid With ViVID
My name is Machi and I am an alumna of UWC Maastricht, class of 2019. After I graduated from UWC, I started studying global challenges at Leiden University College. I have learned various global issues from many interesting aspects. The most attractive course was the one about health and its history, so I am interested in studying public health more deeply next year.
While studying at the university, I became to think that I want to use the knowledge I have learned in the real-world context as UWC has taught me the importance of taking actions to change anything from small things in a local community to big issues in the world. With this idea, I joined the NGO called ViVID (Vivid Village for Inclusive Development) and started working on community development in Ghana. ViVID is based in Japan, but the members are studying and working in many countries. I joined ViVID because I think the slogan “colorful life for all” represents what I want to achieve, and what UWC puts value on. ViVID focuses on inclusive development, which means that we are trying to work with the local people in a community and respect their idea on development as much as possible.
Currently, we are working on the project “Fight COVID-19 with ViVID,” which aims to provide medical goods, basic hand-washing facilities, and face masks in Sekyere, Ghana. We have started crowdfunding to provide these goods to all people in Sekyere so that they can protect themselves from contracting COVID-19. We have achieved more than 50% of our aim in crowdfunding thanks to the support from many people and we are working hard on achieving our goal of this project. This uncertain time is difficult for all of us, but especially for those living under harsh conditions. I think even in this difficult time and because it is a difficult time, we should not forget to respect each other and take action to support each other. I believe that this project reflects what I have learned at UWC, which is the importance of understanding and cooperating with people from different backgrounds to achieve a peaceful and sustainable world. UWC taught me many valuable views and skills and I am trying and will continue to try living the mission to pursue a better world.
Would you like to know more or to support? Check out the website!
