Jose Sanchez

Before this, I knew very little about how global malaria programs are funded. I spent three hours reading up on PMI, the Global Fund, Gavi, UNICEF, and the CDC's malaria work, then wrote a personalized email asking Senator Boozman, Senator Cotton, and Representative Womack to support them(screenshot 1 = Boozman, screenshot 2 = Cotton and Womack). As a first-generation student from Northwest Arkansas, I had assumed federal budget decisions happened somewhere I could not reach. Writing to my own delegation changed that. Congressional offices track what constituents say, and a message in my own words gives them more to work with than a template. I now see advocacy as a form of service, since the families most affected by malaria cannot contact Arkansas's representatives themselves.

I was able to volunteer at the Peace at Home Family Shelter where they take donations and gifts for affected people in the NWA area. It was a really humbling experience as I got to see all aspects of their operation and who they impact and help in the community.