Take action when afraid, take action even in doubt, take action even when it’s just you. Most importantly, just take action.
My dream is to see a world free of death and suffering caused by a lack of information on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These are diseases that do not transfer from one person to another like cancers, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, heart and vein diseases, and mental health. When I was 18, I lost my closest friend to cancer. The next year, I lost my aunt to a stroke, and the year after another friend to diabetes. If only we had accurate information about NCDs, they might still be alive today.
At university, I made the big decision to start an organization to make information on NCDs readily available to all. Friends and family said this was wishful thinking, that I was young, inexperienced, lacked resources and was doomed to fail. True to their word, I did actually fail twice, but I never gave up. What helped me overcome my obstacles was that I knew if I did not do something, if I did not follow my dream, there are people who would suffer and even die.
To date with my company Stowelink Inc., we have been able to reach over two million people with various educational projects on NCDs, including a mobile app and board game. Besides that, personally, I’ve written three books, two about health and diseases, and another that shares my journey in the entrepreneurship field to help other young entrepreneurs to be able to successfully manage their startups.
Now, I want you to imagine, had I not taken that first step, had I not taken action, how many more lives would have been lost due to a lack of information? Whatever dream you have, know that you can make it, but the only way to do so is to make that first step. So, take action!