Sunday 28 February 2010

Conversatons with Fungai

This week, we're talking to Fungai from Fungai Neni:
http://www.conversationsforabetterworld.com/wp-content/Cimy_User_Extra_Fields/fungaizim/avatar/meinsession2.JPG

What does Fungai Neni mean?
'Think with me' as well as 'Fungai and I' - in essence, I am asking that people be actively engaged in the content that I produce.

What do you do professionally?

I work in media and communications for the South African National AIDS Council.
What inspired you to start your blog?
It was long overdue - I had been talking about it for over a year and had just never found the time for it. So I just decided one afternoon to get it done and that's how it all began.
What's the aim of your blog?
To stimulate thought and discussion around contemporary issues, as seen through my eyes.
What advice would you give to other bloggers?
Keep it at - sometimes it goes good and sometimes it goes bad. But if it's your passion, please pesevere! Look for opportunities to grow always.
When you're writing do you think about your audience or do you prefer to just write?
I just write - whatever comes, comes. My blog is honest, although I sometimes think about what my audience might think about what I say...
Other than blogging do you have any other hobbies?
Of course! reading, music, travelling, writing other things like poetry and short stories, researching issues,etc.
How did you get involved with Medyouth?

Through my good friend, Rachel Adams, who invited me to one of their peer education courses in Bulawayo.

Sunday 7 February 2010

An interview with Kirsten Scott


What made you decide to start Project Zimbabwe?

I had just been involved in starting ZHTS (Zimbabwe Health Training Support) and felt that it would be great to get students involved directly through a student-run project. I know that King's students had lots of energy and that the project could be a brilliant success.

What were the initial challenges to starting such a group?

At the beginning, although there was a lot of interest it was difficult to find a group of committed people to take things forward. I really wanted people to help shape the aims and the projects rather than just dictating things so it took a while before the project got going properly.
What was the highlight of your time as President?

While I was in Zimbabwe before the start of the first Medyouth program all of the NUST students got together and thanked me for everything I'd done. Having spent so many hours writing emails, speaking to people, raising money and organising tons and tons of books it was great to find out that it had all made a tiny difference. It was also really inspiring to see that PZ was taken over by people with so many ideas - the second highlight of my "presidency" was at the AGM when I stood down and I realised that the project wouldn't fall apart... that it would, in fact, go on to greater things.
What were the main challenges you were faced with during your presidency?

Communicating via email with Zimbabwe! I hope that this will also improve with time.

What are you up to now?

I am now working as a foundation year 1 doctor at King's College Hospital and am still a ZHTS trustee. I am trying to increase links between junior doctors in the UK and Zimbabwe at the moment and will be going on a King's visit in April 2009.



  • Medsin-GKT, King's College London, Guy's Campus, 19 Newcomen St, London, SE1 1UL
  • projectzimbabwe@googlemail.com