Rita Nabonwe: Black History Month Spotlight

An Aspiring Global Champion for Quality Healthcare for Mothers and Children

Role in College

Rita Nabonwe is a second-year graduate student in the School of Public Health, working closely with Dr. Hassan Vatanparast in the Division of Nutrition. In his lab, she focuses on nutrition and public health research. Building on her education, Rita passionately supported  the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform, where she worked  as a full-time Project Manager, leading health teams across Subharan Africa. She is dedicated to promoting Black excellence in maternal and pediatric health and strives to support nutrition at a global level.

Cultural Background and Personal Interests

As an East African, Rita was raised in Kenya and lived in Nairobi before coming to Canada for her graduate studies. She speaks English and Swahili and is trying to polish her Mother tongue-Luhyand French. Rita loves all things travel and recommends everyone add Diani, Kenya, to their travel bucket list to admire the beauty of nature and peaceful beaches. She also admires Cape Town, South Africa, and Banff, Alberta. Rita enjoys cooking, baking, and indulging in fragrances, which she promotes through her budding social media channels. She particularly loves making pilau, a Kenyan dish with rice and meat, which she shares with family and friends on special occasions. Rita also enjoys watching documentaries on various health topics, including "Killer High: The Silent Crisis," which highlights the issues surrounding fentanyl distribution and use.

Inspiration

Rita’s parents, who both have healthcare backgrounds , played a pivotal role in shaping her interests in nutrition and public health. They supported her in pursuing public health work in Kenya , where she became inspired to address systemic health disparities. Rita is also inspired by Professor Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for championing women’s rights and the environment. Professor Maathai demonstrated a brave willingness to break down barriers and bring people together to make positive community impacts.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

As a Black international student, Rita faced the challenge of finding career opportunities that aligned with her qualifications and goals. Despite having eight years of work experience in Kenya and other sub-Saharan Africa countries , finding a career in her field without Canadian work experience was a challenging feat. But with the help of good mentors, career talks, and networking events at the University of Saskatchewan, she was able to make progress. Rita emphasizes the importance of seeking out mentorship opportunities, as mentors can guide you in the right direction and connect you with new opportunities.

Impact of Black Lives Matter

The Black Lives Matter movement has had a significant impact on Rita's perspective. The movement's focus on addressing systemic racism and advocating for justice within Black communities has heightened awareness about the importance of inclusion and equity. Rita believes that Black Lives Matter has made Black lives more visible and has helped create more equitable and inclusive environments in workplaces and schools. This movement has reinforced her commitment to advocating for equitable healthcare services and ensuring that Black mothers and African communities receive the quality care they deserve.

Future Aspirations

Rita aspires to be a global champion for quality healthcare for mothers and children. She hopes to contribute to improving health outcomes on a larger scale, particularly in maternal and pediatric health. Rita envisions building a team that can mentor and support Black students and professionals in the field of public health. She is committed to advocating for equitable healthcare services and ensuring that Black mothers and African communities receive the quality care they deserve.

MORE: https://spotlight.usask.ca/black-history-month/black-history-month.php