Jessica Michael-Odobi: “It’s a simple thing, but I can’t express enough how fulfilled it makes me.”

A GCU student is helping bring a smile to the faces of those who need it most in her volunteer role at a local hospital.

Master of Public Health student Jessica Michael-Odobi proved she’s a shining example of the Common Good, with her passion to help others following her from Nigeria to the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire.

Jessica’s journey started in her homeland, where she graduated with a degree in animal science before completing a mandatory placement programme - which proved to be life changing.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was introduced by the Nigerian Govenment in the 1970s and aims to promote national unity. University graduates leave home and travel to another part of the country, where they get the chance to engage with different cultures and use their education to help develop the area around them.

Jessica said: “I think a big part of NYSC is encouraging us all to leave our comfort zone.  I’m originally from Southern Nigeria and I was sent to the East. Some teach in primary schools and others are sent to different organisations; I went to the Ministry of Agriculture. I basically lived there and worked in the local community – that was my focus.”

During her 12 months, Jessica was shocked by the conditions that the general population were living in. This proved to be a catalyst for change in Nigeria, but also for Jessica on a personal level.

“It definitely had an impact on me. There were so many young children suffering from malaria and diarrhoea,” said Jessica.

“I’m not licensed or qualified to handle any drugs or do any medical check-ups, but I wanted to make sure there was a positive change.

“The government had obviously sent me to this place, so I had access to them. I got in touch with the Department of Public Health and basically told them to come and see what I was witnessing. The sickness was not hereditary - it was avoidable.”

Thankfully, Jessica’s calls for help didn’t go unnoticed. Within weeks, government officials and community leaders joined forces to carry out health checks and diagnose a variety of diseases, including HIV.

Jessica said: “The State Coordinator also came, which meant newspapers and other media outlets joined him. It became such a big deal.

“To be honest, I was just overwhelmed. It gave me so much joy and fulfilment to be making a difference. I quickly realised my future was in public health.”

Jessica’s husband, Michael, found GCU’s Master of Public Health course online and the pair decided to move to Scotland in December 2021. They immediately faced a different kind of culture shock when they landed in Glasgow.

Jessica explained: “It was so cold! I had to wear three layers of clothes, as well as gloves and a hat. I don’t think anyone would have been able to see me with everything I had on!”

Despite the temperatures, Jessica made sure she didn’t suffer from cold feet in her new home.

She said: “I arrived about a month before my degree started. I’m not the type of person to sit about and watch movies all day. I feel like every hour is valuable to myself or someone else.

“I started searching online and came across volunteering with the NHS. I knew I would be perfect for the role because I had previously cared for my grandmother and had the experience in Eastern Nigeria. The passion and commitment to help others was already there.”

Jessica started working alongside the volunteer team at the Vale of Leven Hospital and was surprised by the warm welcome she received.

“You have no idea – I’ve never experienced anything like it! These people have never seen me before but they were so happy to have me at their bedside.

“The doctors and nurses are very busy, so they don’t really get the chance to sit and chat away to the patient. The team I work with get to fill in that gap and it’s so important because the patients really value the opportunity to just interact with someone.”

After some initial challenges, Jessica has settled into her role and now attends the hospital at least once a week.

She explained: “Some people talk very fast and that can be difficult, but the other volunteers have helped me understand the language!

“It can be quite sad at times because patients might not get any visitors, but it’s our job to try and make everyone happy. I love to sing and I’ve been lucky that some of the patients have joined in with me.”

Jessica added: “It's a simple thing, but I can’t express enough how fulfilled it makes me. The satisfaction I get is from the smile I put on their faces.”

By Ross Clark 
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter