USC Union Hosts Humphrey Fellows
Kierra Martin, Ms. Florence Akara, Dr. Sakhile Masuku, Lapri Cromer, Amber Cooklin, and Cadence Clayton
By Holly Patterson
During the last week of March, Dr. Emily Shafer hosted Humphrey Fellows Dr. Sakhile Masuku and Ms. Florence Akara as they visited USC Union and shared their research on campus and in the surrounding community.
Dr. Sakhile Masuku spoke at a Research Club Lunch and Learn on Monday, March 25. She is a professor at the University of Eswatini (a country in southern Africa formerly known as Swaziland), where she teaches in the Community Health and Nursing program. Her research focuses on improving public health care and preventing the spread of diseases in Eswatini. She has helped start health clinics in impoverished areas where life expectancies are low because residents cannot afford healthcare or can’t get to other clinics because they lack transportation. Students were very interested in learning about one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world and shocked to hear how some people could be unable to get lifesaving care because they were poor.
Ms. Florence Akara spoke at the second Lunch and Learn on Thursday, March 28. A native of Kenya, she holds a law degree from the University of Botswana. She shared how she moved to Botswana as a young teen and was surprised by the differences in the freedom of women there compared to her home country. She began her career in law as a corporate lawyer, but later decided to become a human rights activist. She is now seeking ways to be an international advocate for women and girls. We learned a lot about the history of her country. I asked several students what they thought about the Lunch and Learns, and they said that they were glad to have the opportunity to learn about other cultures. Angela Brown said that the problems that the ladies de-scribed in their respective countries made her feel sad, but she thought they did a good job in helping to find solutions.
Dr. Masuku and Ms. Akara spoke at the Union County Carnegie Library and to members of Rotary Club, The Li-on’s Club and Civitan at the Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday, March 26. They also visited several local businesses and attractions.
“Having these distinguished visitors from Africa was an ex-traordinary gift to our campus and community. Their unique experiences provided valuable educational opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Schafer. “Dr. Masuku and Atty Akara loved their time here and felt like they learned from us as much as we learned from them. We hope to stay in contact as they return home in the spring. I am grateful to the USC Union family for being such welcoming hosts.”
