SAYREVILLE – As he receives honors for his healthcare studies at Seton Hall University, a Sayreville resident from Kenya looks to give back to his communities through providing medical assistance.
Antony Nganga, 31, a senior at the South Orange college, came to the United States from Kenya nine years ago. Originally planning on becoming a chef, Nganga sought to pursue a career in healthcare following a return trip to Kenya.
Jim Robinson, Nganga’s father, explained that during their trip to Kenya, they met a nun at a pharmacy and gave her a ride to her convent, where they learned her order is dedicated to healthcare.
“We had tea with her and the provincial superior of her order,” Robinson said. “It turns out one of the things her order is dedicated to is healthcare. Anthony had always said after graduation, he wanted to do some volunteer work in Kenya before starting his career back in the states. They made a connection and Anthony may have found a group that will need volunteer service.”
Robinson also noted that the order’s provincial superior worked in the Philippines, where Nganga went on spring break in 2018.
This past school semester in Fall 2018, Nganga qualified for the Dean’s List at Seton Hall for the fourth time. Nganga said he has made the Dean’s List four of his six semsters at the school, which students who complete all courses with a GPA of at least 3.4 and no grades lower than a C qualify for.
“It was a lot of hard work,” he said. “Sometimes, I’d spend a whole night on the campus and pack a toothbrush.”
Planning on seeking an advanced degree in physician studies after he graduates in August, Nganga acknowleded that his current career pursuit is based on a desire to give back to both Kenya and Sayreville.
“I’ve been constantly thinking about how to give back,” Nganga said. “I’m looking to get experience in healthcare, start an organization, go back to Kenya and help out the small communities.”
He noted that in some places in his home country, it can take an entire day to reach a clinic.
Following his meeting with the order in Kenya, Nganga also looks to get in contact with other healthcare providers and create a network to help individuals in need. In helping communities with healthcare, his goal to assist not just Kenya, but his current home and beyond.
“I wouldn’t be taking them from the people they help here,” he said. “We’d go when they have free time and can make the trip.”