Volunteer Profile - Audrey Esemezie
Tell Us About Yourself:
I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up there with my parents and two brothers until I was 11, when my parents moved us to Milton, Ontario. Moving to Canada was a life-changing experience for myself and my family, from seeing snow for the first time, learning how to skate, and building a new community. From a young age, I have always loved spending time caring for young children. This stemmed from having an amazing and fun-loving younger brother. I remember being incredibly excited to get my babysitter’s license at 12 and my first real job as a summer camp counsellor at 16, a job I loved so much and learned so much from. During high school, I really started to develop my love for science and healthcare. I loved the idea of knowing about the human body, what makes people unwell and, more importantly, what makes them feel better. This interest led me to study Human Physiology and Pharmacology at The University of Western Ontario. My interest developed into a passion, a passion that has led me here to my 2nd year at the Island Medical Program at UBC. When I am not immersed in school work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, reading nonfiction novels, and trying coffee shops around Victoria.
How did you become involved in the Reading Bear Society?
I became involved in the Victoria Chapter of the Reading Bear Society during the first month of my first year of medical school. The 2nd year RBS cochairs at the time came to talk to us at school about this wonderful initiative in which we get to connect with the young students in the Victoria community. With my long history of working with children, I knew that I wanted to get involved with the RBS as a volunteer. I happily signed up and completed the orientation and signed up for a visit as soon as possible. That first visit allowed me to connect with the young students, help introduce them to healthcare, and learn from them about their unique healthcare experiences. From that first visit, I knew this was an initiative I wanted to do long-term. I love combining my passion for bettering the health of those around me with working with children and helping them to learn and become more familiar with health.
What is your current role with the RBS?
I am currently a co-chair of the Reading Bear Society Victoria Chapter and a volunteer for the Dr. Bear Visits.
What is your best memory of the RBS?
It is hard to pick just one memory of RBS. I have such a fantastic time at every school visit. If I had to pick one, it would be one memory that combines my role as an RBS Volunteer and a medical student. One week in November, I had a Dr. Bear Visit with a wonderful class, we spent time getting to know the students, doing our Bear Breathing, learning to use a reflex hammer, and so much more. Later that week, I had a school clinical skills learning session where we were learning how to conduct a Pediatric exam. The young volunteers for the session came into the room, and one of the young volunteers turned her head to the side, looked at me, and said, “Wait! You do, Dr. Bear!”. She proceeded to tell me how much she had enjoyed the Dr. Bear visit. I was filled with joy thinking about how she remembered me. It also showed me how important initiatives like the RBS are, connecting with children and helping them form early positive memories with health care and learning. I felt so happy the entire session to know that I played a role in bringing a smile to her face. I hope to continue connecting with children of different backgrounds throughout Victoria. It is so rewarding and fulfilling to contribute to positive childhood experiences and help young children develop an ability to care for themselves.
