Nuhu Halima Gambo is a young Muslim woman and the founder of the “My Hereafter Project” in Ghana. One of many Black foundations run by Africans for Africans in need. The initiative focuses on medical patients who do not have enough resources to pay for their bills.
The initiative was named based on one of the tenets of Islam for the hereafter—the Hadith that states: “When a human being dies all his action comes to an end except in one of three ways: A continuing act of charity, a useful contribution to knowledge and a dutiful child who prays for him.” (Related by Muslim, Abu Dawood, Al-Nassaie and others).
TheHub.news: Tell us about yourself and what you stand for?
Nuhu Halima Gambo: I am Nuhu Alimatu Sadia, founder of the My Hereafter Project. A project that is championing healthcare support and increasing access to free Basic healthcare in Ghana. We believe everyone irrespective of caste, location, and age deserves access to free basic healthcare.
We do this by getting as many people, especially children registered onto the National Health insurance scheme and supporting the needy to access basic and sophisticated healthcare which they otherwise might be denied.
THN: How do you feel being a woman of color and a Muslimah while engaging in this project?
NHG: I feel lightened at heart. I am happy Allah has put me in such a place where he helps others through me and my team. No discrimination so far, but it’s funny when I get called “Alhaji,” “Mr,” “Mommy,” and the likes by people who don’t know who is behind the chat. That is fine. The youth can also do what big people do
THN: Was there a situation that made you realize that a particular issue needed solving?
NHG: Somewhere in 2019, we noticed that social media was getting flooded with a series of appeals and the majority of them came from Muslims from the Zongo communities. This was worrying. The Muslim community needs a body they can run to for support. Then came the case of four-month-old “Barakah,” who had a hole in his heart. I had a good following on Facebook, so I decided to take advantage. After that, was another. Then another…and here we are on the 54th person to get support since we launched.
THN: Who are your targeted patients and is this initiative for a particular medical condition?
NHG: Patients terminally ill and in need. Patients who cannot afford treatment with importance to children and emergency cases first. And we cater for all conditions except kidney cases for now, because of the amount of money involved in transplants
THN: How do you get to know about such cases?
NHG: The majority of them come to us. They hear from us from health workers, friends and acquaintances. Some of them, we accidentally stumble upon and take them in.
THN: What are your sources of funding?
NHG: Basically crowdfunding. Friends who trust us and their friends.
THN: What’s the future of this initiative?
NHG: A future like that of mercy ships. One that will touch lives in the shortest possible time, well equipped with humans and the necessary resources.
TNH: Are you putting any measures in place in realizing this?
NHG: We are building a strong foundation, creating collaborations and establishing links and opportunities that will see us to this future.
THN: What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
NHG: A life lived in service. Taking few steps each day in making lasting impacts on the health of the vulnerable.
You can out more about “My Hereafter Project,” on the website.
