Help Indonesian MD study in Oxford University

Hello, my name is Jacklyn and I am an Indonesian medical doctor/general practitioner with a passionate interest in social work and tropical medicine.

When asked to think of ‘Indonesia’, most people instantly think of a blossoming tropical country, with the bustling urban metropolis of Jakarta and the tourist mecca of Bali. While this is true, Indonesia is also home to many less-fortunate islands lacking in resources, infrastructure and medical care. These are the forgotten places. These are people that need support. These are the areas that I am drawn to.

Currently I am practicing in Sumba, one of the poorest islands in Indonesia. Home to a population of 800,000, with most lacking access to simple human needs; such as clean water, healthcare, electricity and basic education. Tropical diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy and bacterial or parasitic skin diseases are abundant. Many highly treatable illnesses are left untreated due to lack of adequate education, facilities, medicine and care. The Sumbanese are not alone in this struggle, with many other similar rural places within Indonesia experiencing such hardships; namely the depths of West Nusa Tenggara, the Molluccas and Papua. Locations such as these depend largely on people who are willing to devote their lives to come, help, build and stay long term, to dedicate their lives to improve the aspects of life that most people take for granted within the developed world. This is what brought me to Sumba. This is what myself and our team focus our energies on each day.

My personal journey in Sumba began in 2017. Starting as a GP in a general hospital, before discovering the non-profit organization The Sumba Foundation (www.sumbafoundation.org). I have been with this Sumba-based NGO for the last 2.5 years, currently holding a position as the Foundation’s Clinician and Health Team Supervisor. A truly rewarding role, my day’s involve managing the activities of over 20 health and non-health personnel in order to ensure the effective running of the foundation’s health vital programs. The programs are numerous and varied; including four free-of-charge primary care clinics which collectively see over 25,000 patient visits per year, our malaria control program, the malaria microscopy training center, eyecare program, the current development of a tuberculosis training program, Covid-19 research...among many others.

As I shifted from hospital clinician to an NGO field work and managerial role, I realized that my passion and interest truly lay within public health, research and tropical medicine. Every day with The Sumba Foundation enables me to directly touch and positively influence the health and happiness of entire communities. I have seen first-hand how this work tangibly changes the whole infrastructure of these impoverished areas, directly aiding and assisting the wellbeing of thousands of people each day. It has touched my heart in a way I could never express accurately in words. The work we do gives hope to people who have previously felt hopeless. Builds and educates communities to ensure that they are able to live healthy and happy lives, to look after their families and all while keeping their traditions and cultures respected. This daily experience is the reason why I felt compelled and driven to further my studies, in order to extend my knowledge within the medical and societal areas which my initial education was unable to prepare me for.

With the University of Oxford being the world-leader in the education field of tropical medicine, I decided I should take a chance and explore this possibility. You never know unless you try! So, in 2021, I took a chance and applied for a highly sought after place within their one-year ‘International Health and Tropical Medicine’ master’s program. This very competitive program is specifically designed to develop graduates' knowledge and skills to be able to solve major health challenges for populations within resource-limited contexts, such as Sumba and the other forgotten islands of Indonesia. In February of 2021, I received a letter from Oxford and to my disbelief and immense joy I have been accepted into this life changing program.

While I am extremely happy, honored and humbled to have been offered such a highly coveted place at such an esteemed university and am obviously eager to accept, the individual cost to enroll is extremely high. I applied on a whim and a dream, not really believing that I could actually be one of the few candidates accepted out of the hundreds of worldwide applicants. Having studied the costing extensively, I am saddened that I may need to turn down my place due to personal financial constraints.

… But before completely giving up, I want to know that I really gave this opportunity every possible chance that I could; to help me get there, help me further my education and help me further support island’s such as Sumba.

Thus this crowdfunding page was born.

I have broken the funding requirements down as per below:

(not including additional costs such as flights, visas)

Aside from this crowdfunding, I am also trying to secure funds via:

• Scholarships (awaiting results)
• Self funding, funding from friends and family members
• Help from the Sumba Foundation

The financial declaration is due June 30.

The fundraising goal is set at GBP 40,500 to cover the tuition fee. Any raised funds will be added to funds already privately secured.

Regardless of the outcome, I thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for your consideration. I really appreciate it. You never know until you try!