Posted on Feb 23, 2018
 
Hello lovely Rotarians! 
 
  My name is Annum Jaffer and I am one of the Rotary Global Scholars from District 5890, sponsored by Humble and received by Edmonton here in London. I received my degree in Human Biology from The University of Texas in Austin and was studying for a medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine when I decided to take a year out in London to study Human Rights. I am currently studying in the heart of London at The London School of Economics and Political Science, and by the end of the year hope to receive a Masters in Human Rights. 
 
  I cannot begin to describe how wonderful, breathtaking, but, also at times, difficult this part of my journey has been. I came here with no idea what to expect, and along the way have felt so far yet so close to finding a home. The Edmonton club, and my sponsor in London, Pat Clark and his family, have treated me well and I could not have asked for anything more. I have learned about the difficulties that women face during times of conflict and how they can be involved in the peacemaking process, about children’s rights, development work, and how different kinds of organizations create change in the world.  Some of these topics have been heartbreaking, but as the year came to its midpoint I realized that ultimately I am optimistic that what I have learned thus far will help me create positive change in the world. In the past 5-6 months I have learned more about who I am as a person, and what the global humanitarian world needs than I have in the last 5 years of my life. I plan to write my dissertation on how post conflict societies handle the issue of children’s rights to education and health and hope to share a summary of it with all of you when I have finished. 
 
To give you a quick look at how my days in London look like:
 
  I spend most of my weekdays studying and reading articles about human rights and development work. Weeknights you can usually find me either at a lecture hosted by one of the University of London schools (for example on Monday I will be attending a lecture on Refugees and the gig economy) or relaxing with friends at a pub discussing our course work and planning adventures around the UK). On weekends I try to find somewhere in London to explore, and my favorite places are usually random markets or places of historical/cultural significance. 
 
  While in London I have also attended my host clubs' wonderful fish and chips lunch meetings, became close friends with my fellow Rotary global grant scholars from around the world, and have met Rotarians from clubs around the United Kingdom at various events. There are many events coming up in the next few weeks and months, including the Youth Music Festival that the Edmonton club helps put together, that I look forward to enjoying.
In September I will be coming back to Texas to finish my final year in medical school, apply for a Pediatrics residency, become a Pediatrician and in about 4 years apply both my medical and human rights knowledge to a career in medical and development work for a global nonprofit. 
 
  There is very little chance that I would have been able to do this without Bill Davis, and my Rotarian family. You are wonderful human beings who put your hearts into the dreams of people like me. Ultimately, we are doing what we can to leave this world a better place than it was when we came into it. All I can hope to do is be a part of that with you. Thank you for all that you have done for me, and I hope to be reuniting/meeting you all soon. 
 
P.S. I will I had pictures to share with you all, but for the time being my laptop is in the shop, and I’m writing this on my phone. 
 
Sincerely 
Annum Jaffer