IT was great determination, self-discipline and her true resilient nature that caused Trevorlene John to successfully complete a four-year Medex programme.

The 22-year-old told the Guyana Chronicle that she is stationed at Chinoeg Health Centre, some distance away from her home village of Waxcreek Village, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven. The best means of transportation between the two hinterland communities is via an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or walk for three to four hours.

John said she was never interested in becoming a healthcare professional, but faith would have it no other way. Her career was chosen by others.

She related that after completing her secondary education,  she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do for work, but was certain there was a real need for healthcare professionals in her community, since it is a very remote village and the people needed that type of service.

It was two councillors who are respected elders in the village who persuaded her to become a Medex to serve the people of the hinterland. At the time, this type of medical care was in high demand.

John applied for the programme which is offered by the Ministry of Health under the Health Sciences Education Department and was later accepted after an interview was done.

She recalled that after receiving the offer of acceptance she had to prepare quickly and travel to the city to begin the programme. This was her first trip to Georgetown, and she was sure it was the beginning of an exciting adventure.

For the duration of the programme, she was housed at the West Demerara Regional Hospital dormitory. At first, she felt homesick as she had never been away from her family for an extended period.

John related that it was hard financially because with her parents being so far away, she was totally dependent on them for money for daily expenses. She recalled that on many occasions she did not have enough.

She recounted how challenging it was to have to walk from the dormitory to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling to take a speedboat to Georgetown before taking a bus to the Kingston location where she had class from 08:00hrs to 15:00hrs five days per week.

She pointed out that since her parents are farmers, they did their best to support her financially, an effort she appreciates greatly.

John said it was also very challenging for her because she had to adapt to the new environment and everything was fast paced. She said she often cried in her quiet moments.

She told this publication that her dormitory mates were very supportive. It was her best friend Shemron Ayau, from Gunns, Region Nine, who cheered her up and encouraged her to keep going when she wanted to quit.

Sadly, he died three months before graduation due to an illness.

At the graduation ceremony, which was recently held, his batchmates honoured him. They had a framed photo of him at the ceremony.

John disclosed that she was in her third year when challenging financial circumstance started to take a toll on her, but it was her best friend who was there encouraging and supporting her.

“After Ayau died, it was even harder for me because I would remember him all the time and the way he comforted me when no one else did and I had to see myself through the course because I made a promise to him that I won’t quit and I know he is pleased and proud of me today even though he is not here,” she said.

From zero interest to being a Medex to now being in charge of a health centre with six staffers to oversee, John is proud of herself.

She intends to be very diligent in her work, attentive to her patients and provide counselling to anyone who needs it.

John’s story is one of unwavering resilience, hard work, dedication and struggles she did not allow to consume her.