My Nonprofit Reviews

My name is Cyril Oswin Yao Xedidor, a fifth year medical student at the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra - Ghana.

Looking back on my educational path, I marvel at how my childhood dream of becoming a Medical Doctor that once seemed unachievable because of dire family financial difficulties, is now within reach and almost touchable, through the timely and critical intervention of Educational Pathways International (EPI).

I spent my early childhood years in a small village in the Volta Region of Ghana. I was one of those children my local people would call “sickly” because of how often I fell sick during my first ten years of life: from malaria to repeated episodes of diarrhea and vomiting to worm infestations and others. The closest health facility was at least 5km away and the roads were not motorable. The experiences of surviving the troubles my parents went through to get me to the clinic, coupled with the times I had to endure ‘local herbal treatments’ because my parents were unable to afford orthodox medical care, created the desire in me, from those early days, to pursue a career path that will enable me be a solution to people’s health needs, especially in the rural communities in Ghana. A few years down the lane, my (paternal) grandmother sadly passed on, from a urological emergency, as she could not access prompt healthcare due to how far off the nearest ‘big’ hospital was, after she was referred from the clinic closest to the village. This incident further strengthened my resolve to work hard and become a Doctor and help the people of my village someday.

My educational path was relatively smooth until high school when financial difficulties became a real hurdle. I was barely able to pull through high school because of the Presidential Award scholarship that I was enrolled on.

Educational Pathways International (EPI) therefore came through for me at a vital moment, after my family, with the help of our local church, had pulled together every available resource to pay university admission fees.

Ever since I got on to the EPI scholarship, I have experienced ease and freedom of mind to focus on my studies, knowing that my fees are settled, my residential fees paid and I have enough to feed on and buy the recommended textbooks. Aside the financial burden that EPI lifted, I am particularly grateful for the wonderful family of beneficiaries of the scholarship that I have joined, who continually inspire me unto higher academic achievements and career goals.

I am also deeply thankful for the periodic skills, training and capacity building sessions that is organized for the beneficiaries of the scholarship in my school. These meetings have equipped me with vital knowledge and skills for the corporate world and life in general. These have given me a competitive advantage over my other colleagues.

These five years academic journey, though not without challenges, have been possible only through the help of Educational Pathways International, and I am deeply grateful for that. As I am nearing my graduation in 2021, all things being equal, I have a growing interest in Pediatrics and Community Health and I sincerely hope to pursue one or both of these as specialties someday.

But the bottom-line, for me, is that whichever area of Medical practice I eventually branch into, I must be a responsible Doctor helping out my country and its people, especially in the rural areas.

Thank you, Educational Pathways International.