Dear CHIFA Team,
My name is Habiba Ghouri, and I am currently a medical student with a deep interest in improving the health and education of children, particularly those living in underprivileged communities in developing countries. I am writing to introduce myself and to express my sincere interest in becoming part of your forum and contributing to its mission.
I come from a middle-class family where life has not always been easy. Alhamdulillah, we never slept hungry, but we often could not afford good-quality food or many basic comforts. My father worked extremely hard to educate his five children in a reputable school, even though it placed a
heavy financial burden on him. Growing up, we usually bought only two sets of clothes in a year, and most of our clothing came from local thrift markets. These experiences taught me the value of sacrifice, gratitude, and perseverance at a very young age.
At the same time, I was studying in a school where many of my classmates came from well-off families. They would arrive in beautiful clothes and bring well-prepared lunches, while I had far fewer resources. Despite these differences, my determination to study never weakened. In fact, these circumstances strengthened my resolve to focus on my education and work hard toward a better future.
During my school years, access to technology and the internet was also very limited for my family. While many students benefited from online resources, we only had simple mobile phones and no internet access at home. This sometimes made academic preparation more challenging, especially during exams. However, I remained committed to doing my best with whatever resources were available to me. Looking back, I feel grateful for that journey because it built resilience and self-discipline within me.
My parents were always very supportive of education, even when society around us questioned the value of educating daughters. I still remember when I was in the 10th grade, some relatives and members of our community would say that investing in a girl’s education was unnecessary because
daughters eventually get married and move to another household. Hearing such views was painful, but it only strengthened my belief that education is a right that should never be denied based on gender or social expectations.
When I was fortunate enough to be admitted into medical school, I decided to start supporting myself financially as much as possible. I began giving tuition to several students every day while continuing my medical studies. Managing both responsibilities has been very challenging, but it has also given me a sense of dignity and partial financial independence. It has taught me the true value of money, hard work, and careful decision-making. Today, I am much more conscious and thoughtful about how I spend and save, and these experiences have shaped my character in meaningful ways.
Through my personal journey, I have come to understand that children need far more than just education. They need proper health care, emotional support, opportunities, and an environment that allows them to grow with dignity and confidence. These realizations are what motivate me to work for the well-being of children, particularly those who face social and economic barriers.
I hope to learn from and contribute to the CHIFA community by sharing perspectives from my experiences and my medical training. Being part of a network dedicated to improving child health and education across the world would be a great honor and an opportunity for me to grow while helping others.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself. I look forward to learning from and contributing to this inspiring community.
Kind regards,
[Habiba Ghouri]
Medical Student
[Pakistan/ Jinnah Sindh Medical University]
CHIFA profile:
Habiba Ghouri is a Student at Jinnah Sindh Medical College, Pakistan. Professional interests: education and providing knowedge around the world. habibaghouri42ATgmail.com