Sarah Akalugo
My Story
My name is Sarah Akalugo. I was born in Ibadan, a city in Oyo State, Nigeria. Since my diagnosis with type 1 diabetes, I sometimes ponder, “why me?”. In Nigeria, access to essentials such as insulin, glucose strips, syringes are at the good-will of private organizations and not the Government. Fellowship with others living with type 1 diabetes, which could definitely go a long way in helping provide much needed emotional support, are barely functional. Facilities or programs have not been established for people living with type 1 diabetes, which has created a burden on families that now have to shoulder the financial cost of type 1 diabetes almost entirely by themselves. Thankfully for me, my family has been of immense support. As such, advocacy to me is creating awareness to the world that type one diabetes is not a death sentence, and that it is not the end of the road for someone. Dreams can still be achieved and these dreams need to be supported.
My Advocacy
I believe the Pamoja Advocacy Program will help me push for the creation of an environment that will help type 1 diabetics to lead a better life where their dreams can be achieved. Such an environment would involve formulation of policies that are cognizant of the challenges faced by people with type 1 diabetes in the country. It would allow for the establishment of a fund for the provision of (among other things) a nutrition package and free and equal education opportunities to type 1 diabetics.
Through Pamoja, I will develop my advocacy and leadership skills such as communication, presentation, writing and lobbying which will help me carry my message to the right people effectively. Advocacy means a lot to me as I feel it is a service, not only to humanity but to the type 1 diabetes community as well.or better programs, and I believe that having had the experience and dealing with the condition firsthand, and knowing what matters most and is critical to type 1 diabetics, places me in a position to instigate change.
In Nigeria, I helped the team achieve its 2019 goal, which involved sensitization in schools, and in 2020 we have set our sights on creating a Government endorsed policy where every type 1 diabetic is not denied entry into schools. Several stakeholders have been met and plans on how to engage them even further to have real impact are underway. We can only be optimistic, as the future is surely bright.
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