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Mina Meman, the founder of "The Journey to
Heal Kurdistan"
12.5.2010
By Catrice Stanley |
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American Kurdish student working to raise awareness
about medical conditions in Kurdistan
May
12, 2010
PORTLAND, Oregon — Mina Meman has known for
three years that she wanted to be a cardiothoracic
surgeon. Last summer, Meman worked two jobs and took
15 credits at PSU.
During that time, Meman, 19, realized she could be
doing much more important things with her time. As a
result, she quit both of her jobs and started a
foundation called The Journey to Heal Kurdistan.
“I decided that having years of undergrad, medical
school [and] general surgery left should not stop me
from educating myself and making as much of a
difference as possible in the global health
situation,” she said. “It is something I am
incredibly passionate about.”
Today at 2 p.m., Meman will be speaking and
answering questions about the foundation and her
planned documentary in the Cascade Room in Smith
Memorial Student Union. |
Mina Meman, student working to raise awareness about
medical conditions in Kurdistan. Photo:
dailyvanguard com |
This June, Meman will be
heading to the Kurdistan region, an area in the
Middle East spanning parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and
Syria. The entire trip, which will last for three
months, will be filmed to create the documentary.
“The organization is a reflection of the long-term
dedication that I have to bringing awareness and aid
to the poor health system, lack of medical
technology and weak public health education,” Meman
said.
Since Meman founded The Journey to Heal Kurdistan,
organizations such as CardioStart International,
Oregon Health and Science University and many others
have gotten involved.
“[These organizations] have offered their services,
support and wisdom,” she said. “My family and
friends are [also] an incredible support, and the
heart surgeons at OHSU have been absolutely
remarkable in their wisdom and guidance.”
CardioStart International will be accompanying Meman
for a two-week period this summer. Advanced heart
investigations and procedures will be offered during
the trip, according to the organization’s website.
“All essential donated equipment is left in the
country for the hospital to use for its own
advancement, and the relationship continues over
several years, where possible, to ensure future
donations can be usefully added to the program as it
expands,” according to CardioStart’s website.
During her presentation this Wednesday, Meman will
explain the extent of the involvement these
organizations have had with the cause.
She will also share personal stories, answer
questions about her trip and the documentary and
will educate students about the instability of the
health system in Kurdistan.
“I will share stories of those who have
unnecessarily suffered from some of the simplest
viruses and disease just because they don't have
immunizations or access to certain medications,”
Meman said. “I will [also] share stories of the
Kurds, their history, the attempted genocide and how
Saddam Hussein held them back for years.”
Fourteen years ago, Meman said her father was
working for the American government in Iraq. After
being forced to flee the country, her family was
relocated to Oregon, where they had to start from
scratch.
“We brought almost nothing to the states with us,”
she said. “We didn't speak the language. We had no
idea what we were doing. Fourteen years later, the
kids have grown up. We seized every opportunity to
learn and grow that came our way.”
Meman’s oldest sister is currently on her way to
becoming a lawyer, while another sister is in a
pre-dental program.
She is also going the medical route, but wants to
give back to the country she left behind.
Meman’s presentation this Wednesday will be free,
but donations are accepted. All donations will go to
fund the documentary and trip. For those interested
in getting involved,www.ekurd.netthere
will be opportunities for volunteering and possible
internships presented tomorrow.
For more information about The Journey to Heal
Kurdistan, visit www.healkurdistan.blogspot.com or
contact Meman at minameman@gmail.com.
Another presentation will be held during the first
week of June, right before her departure.
“This is truly an optimistic issue,” Meman said. “I
really hope that I can spark a desire in these
students to learn about this issue and begin
educating themselves more on our global health
system.”
Copyright, respective author or news agency,
dailyvanguard com
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