Mi amor

Obimo Cheta
I'm bigger than what people say
Obimo Cheta
I'm forever the same
Obimo Cheta
You are not alone 3x

Cheta by Ada

I am cleaning my bathroom, with the mobile phone acting as a watch, entertainment and mode of communication. I am listening to Cheta by Ada and hear a line of the lyrics, which I mistake for Obinna Cheta. Glancing at my sceen the translation states my beloved, remember. 

Obinna; a name I recognised from one of the many Nigerian languages and was intrigued that I had been calling a friend my beloved. To my relief, I discovered Obinna means 'father's heart', but something was set in motion.

I couldn't help but remember the story of the prodigal son, who was welcomed back by a loving father despite his previous ways and of course the romantic  Songs of Solomon. No matter what, no matter where, I am loved.

Sunderland is not classed as a multicultural city, however, I am in contact on a regular basis with people who are from a different cultures and therefore speak a different language. I couldn't help but ask everyone I rubbed shoulders with in a single week, how to say my beloved.

Thank you to everyone who shared a bit of their language with me. Go on, shout to the world.

Nigeria (Yoruba): Ololufemi
France (French): Mon amour
Malaysia (Malay):pl Kesayanganku
Spain (Spanish): Mi amada
Serie Lionne (Krio): Una for lek den lekwuna bak
Zimbambwe (Shaona): Mudiwa wangu
Uganda (Luganda): O muagara wange


Others not included, Philipines, Indonesia, China, UK (BSL), South Africa, Iraq and Egypt

The struggle of the Pharmacist's journey

What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.

C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #6)

I recently gave a presentation for pharmacy students, which included BAME students (Black and Ethnic minorities) at a UK university and was struck by how straight forward my journey to becoming a Pharmacist in the UK was...well relatively and not without its hiccups.

What I wrestled with on my journey home was the idea that ethnicity is linked to success. Is it true that your ethnicity limits or elevates the chances of success in your career? I don't want to believe it's true, but I have to accept the concern it has created in the minds of those yet to cross the finish line to the beginning of their journey.

The data published by the GPhC, that have caused these concerns are a snapshot in the potential lifelong journey of an individual. Whilst it has highlighted the differences in training for pre-registration pharmacist (and with it an opportunity to spark change), it was limited in the information it provided.

The life of the individual behind an exam result is as multi faceted as culture itself and we do not know their stories once the exam is over and the result is out. Anyone who sits through a four year degree or top-up course is a striver and therefore failure is not the end of their story.

Whilst its hard to pinpoint the problems, all should remain resilient, by facing the problems that come our way and choosing our battles carefully. No one should look to the past with regret, nor be smug, having lived through it. We need to systematically learn and of course, pause to appreciate the journey but no matter what, strive for momentum.