Meet Sabina Dorvile: Volunteer in NYC
Sabina immigrated to the U.S. from Haiti – where she was born and raised – to further her education and accomplish her dreams. She is currently a sophomore at The City College of New York, majoring in Biochemistry on the pre-med track.
Sabina’s career goal is to become a surgeon. She would like to assist individuals in underdeveloped countries in surviving and combating disease, as she has experienced first had what a lack of medical care and resources means to people fighting for their lives. Sabina’s work experience includes interning at a school, where she taught many immigrants to speak and write English. In this spotlight Sabina shares what she is most proud of and her hopes for the future.
Where is home? I am originally from Haiti, but currently call Brooklyn home.
Education: I am studying Biochemistry at The City College of New York
CMMB volunteer post: I am an intern for the volunteer program at CMMB.
If you were asked to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Ambitious and reserved.
Why CMMB? I am really happy working with CMMB to help them work towards achieving their mission. CMMB is one of the organizations that is making a difference in the underdeveloped countries. As an inspiring surgeon, CMMB is helping me to learn more about the medical issues that are currently affecting the world and need to be taken care of.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my academic achievements as a college student. As an immigrant, hearing people saying it’s hard for English learners to attend college scared me, but through perseverance and hard-work, I can say that I am beating the odds and am proving that through hard work, one can achieve anything.
Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? And why? I would most like to be with Michelle Obama. I want to ask her how she managed to stay positive through the criticism and also, I would like to know as a young woman, what her motivations were to stay in school and to keep going no matter what others said or judged her about.
You are featured in the NY Times or your national newspaper. What’s the headline? Sabina Dorvile: Know your worth!
What would be your theme song? “I know who I am” by Sinach
Imagine if you were an animal or instrument – which would you be and why? I would be a dog because dogs are loyal and friendly once they know people. They can be tough at times but are also calm depending on the situation.
What is your hope for your experience volunteering with CMMB? My hope is that I become more aware of the health issues in the world. I also plan to follow in the footsteps of CMMB by volunteering in hospitals and studying abroad in underdeveloped countries. In addition, I hope that once I become a doctor I will be able to devote my time to helping those in need without anything in return.
Favorite quote: “It always seems impossible until it is done” -Nelson Mandela
What book should everyone read? Why? I think everyone should read “Things fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. It is the story of pre and post colonial life in Nigeria and demonstrates how people living in Nigeria had no choice but to assimilate into the new culture that was presented to them. This story demonstrates colonialism and the life of many people in America.
Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? Viola Davis
What is your hope for the future? I hope that everyone realizes we are all humans and are actually making the world worse by hating each other. I hope that racism ends once and for all and that black men (and women) are not afraid to leave their homes without having to be stopped by the police because of the way they look.
Favorite speech or Tedtalk: “I have a dream”- Martin Luther King
If you could solve one world problem, what would it be? Poverty. I would like to see people live freely and be able to afford their living expenses.
What are the three things you are most grateful for? Family, life, and friends.
Who is your biggest inspiration? Why? Dorothy Lavinia Brown is my biggest inspiration because she accomplished many things and did not pay attention to the labels associated with her. Being that I am interested in politics and aspire to become a surgeon, she is a fantastic role model for me, as she was the first black surgeon and legislator – I would like to follow in her footsteps.
