Amazing-Grace Makusha
Zimbabwe
Chartered Accountant
Amazing-Grace is currently pursuing an MBA at London Business School. A Chartered Accountant by profession, she is a lifelong learner who is passionate about developing businesses in Zimbabwe/Africa and building capable leaders and is currently honing her leadership skills to take her career to the next level to maximise her future impact.
When she is not reading or recruiting, you will find her serving her community in various ways like being an NTDs Champion for the Global Shapers Harare Hub, mentoring younger girls on career & life choices….or occasionally training for a marathon & fundraising for an NGO simultaneously.
What inspired you to enter the World NTD Day Story telling competition?
I thought it was an incredible opportunity to share my own NTDs journey and in the process encourage other young people that it is possible (and easy!) to get involved in such causes and help move the needle towards eradication. People tend to think you need to be a subject matter expert to make a difference but that’s not the case at all -I have zero public health training but I just found a way that I could contribute using my current skill set and I am positive it has made a difference.
Why does fighting NTDs matter to you?
The statistics are simply staggering and demand attention and action. We are meant to improve the lives of others where we can. What really struck me the most was the fact that these diseases are preventable and can be completely eradicated if given the requisite attention. It’s a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and I am sure can be met in my lifetime.
How do you intend on continuing the fight against NTDs after this competition?
I will continue with my advocacy work and share my knowledge of NTDs in my spheres of influence. I will also groom other advocates so that the overall reach spreads out and the NTD Advocacy Community Grows.
What would be your request to your country’s leaders regarding fighting NTDs?
I would implore them to increase funding to the NTDs portfolio. Over 60% of Zimbabweans require treatment for at least one NTD and given this statistic, it should be deemed a national urgency and the government should be doing all it can to improve the quality of lives of these marginalised citizens. Such funding would allow awareness drives in the affected areas to take place which would then lead higher turnouts at mass drug administration events where affected people can receive treatment. Further, the government should partner with youth organisations such as YCNTDs because the young people are quite passionate and effective in terms of raising awareness and can thus be entrusted with a larger role in this mission to eradicate NTDs.
