Award-winning essay describes life changing experience in Botswana

Friday, January 10, 2014
Sondra Jonson and her son, Thomas McHale. Courtesy photo

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- The Winter 2014 University of Nebraska Alumni magazine features essays by three writing contest winners, one of which was submitted by Cambridge resident, Sondra Jonson.

The essay, which tied for second place, profiles her youngest son, Thomas McHale, and his life-changing semester studying Community Public Health in the African country of Botswana.

The essay, titled "I Am Because You Are," focuses on a common proverb in Botswana: "Motho ke motho ka botho" -- Setswana for "I am because you are." It is the quintessential core of Botswana society and the root from which the beautiful culture of this small nation springs, Jonson said. A spirit of each citizen taking care of those around him and the good of the community coming before the good of the individual, inspired Thomas and left a lasting impression on him.

Jonson also wrote about Thomas's work in Botswana's rural health clinics and orphanages and the ravages of AIDS on the population. However, despite the poverty and disease, the people he met were generally grateful, gregarious and joyful. McHale felt more than ever the call to pursue his ambition of studying medicine and eventually bringing his services to underserved and marginalized populations.

Thomas (UNL 2013) is now in his first year of medical school at UNMC. Both his brothers are also alumni of the University of Nebraska.

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