Letter to Uganda’s future wildlife biologist. From Joelia Nasaka
Joelia Nasaka is a Lecturer and PhD fellow in the Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity at Makerere University.
Dear Joelia,
Being a young girl in Kajogo (a local slum in Mbarara, Uganda) that is known for nothing else but drunkards, drug abusers, thieves and prostitutes doesn’t mean that you aim for anything less than hard work and success. Your parents know the value of education and that is why they constantly encourage you to compete in classwork, encourage you to watch those wildlife documentaries and movies, and have also managed to take you to the best local schools in Uganda so that you can compete favorably in the world. As a young girl, I know that you face a lot of distractions ranging from hormones running through your body which you can’t clearly explain at that age. However, divert the hormone rush aggressively and use it to concentrate on your mathematics classes both at school and during the holidays, the science projects that are assigned to you and these will determine your career path. That love for biology, physics, mathematics and chemistry should strongly be nurtured for not only can it take you places in the future but will also help you mentor the generations after you, and teach them what wildlife health, management and conservation of Uganda’s wildlife is all about. Who knows, you may even become the Dian Fossey of the future or even Jane Goodall.
My dear Joelia, let not the negativity of the village folks who think that your parents are wasting money on your education divert your attention but focus on those science subjects that will make you the best wildlife biologist, conservationist and wildlife health and management teacher that will contribute to the sustainable utilization and conservation of wildlife species in Uganda and globally. Always help others to grow for success isn’t determined by how much you achieve individually but by how many other people you help to grow and succeed. The world in future will be lucky to have a female scientist, selfless and committed to conserving for generations like you, Joelia. Always be mindful of the world you live and work in, as you aim at building for the future. I know that my words will only prepare you for the global science, technology and innovation shift that will come in future, where conservation will not only be considered to be in the wilderness (in situ) but also captivity or domestication (ex situ). Therefore pay attention to friends in other fields for you will need to collaborate with both locally and internationally for you to achieve science diplomacy which will make you a better scientist in the then global village.
I love you, my young me and I can only hope that you will succeed at whatever you do with your life. You are a born leader so believe in yourself and lead rightfully. No matter what obstacles or challenges that you encounter on your way to success, always carry with you confidence as your best accessory. Love yourself and what you do so that you will love others selflessly. Give it your all!
Yours truly,
Joelia Nasaka at 35 years old
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Read about Dr. Nasaka and her students’ recent adventure at the Mpala Research Center here.
Representation Matters is a collaborative project between The Exploratory, African Women in Science and Engineering, Levers in Heels, and is supported in part by a Diversity in Science grant from The Biochemical Society.
