Category: People

The WHO boss sent five names of the candidates eyeing the coveted regional seat to member states on June 14.

The five candidates include Rwanda’s Dr. Richard Mihigo, who is considered a strong contender for the position. Dr Mihigo will run against Dr. N’da Konan Michel Yao from Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo from Niger, Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall from Senegal, and Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile from Tanzania.

All the shortlisted candidates have the backing of their countries, a key requirement for the regional role.

Dr. Mihigo met with President Paul Kagame on Saturday, June 15, to discuss his bid for the post, ahead of the government’s intense lobbying to secure the seat.

The Regional Committee of the WHO African Region will vote to nominate the next Regional Director in a closed meeting during its seventy-fourth session from 26 to 30 August 2024 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

The nominee will then be submitted for appointment by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, set for January 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The newly appointed Regional Director will take office on February 1, 2025, for a five-year term and will be eligible for reappointment once.

Dr. Mihigo’s name was submitted to the WHO Director-General by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 16, 2024.

The 57-year-old Rwandan, born in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is considered a strong candidate for the post due to his rich career profile and extensive education in the medical field.

Dr. Mihigo holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in International Health from Boston University School of Public Health, USA, obtained in 2003, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch.B.) from the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Kisangani, DRC, obtained in 1994.

Dr. Mihigo boasts of several other trainings, including an Executive Leadership Programme at the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa in Johannesburg in 2019. He also completed a Certificate program in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies at Boston University School of Public Health in Massachusetts, USA, from February to May 2002. Additionally, he undertook a Certificate program in Quality Assurance Management Methods for Developing Countries at Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland, from June to July 2000.

Dr. Mihigo has held numerous positions, including advisor roles at WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). He also served as an advisor at USAID-Rwanda, working in various health sectors.

He currently serves as the Senior Director of Programmatic and Strategic Engagement at the African Union/Africa CDC. He has held this position at GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, in Geneva, Switzerland, since March 2024.

Previously, from April 2022 to February 2024, Dr. Mihigo served as the Global Lead and Senior Director for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery, Coordination, and Integration at GAVI. Prior to that, from June 2014 to March 2022, Dr. Mihigo held the role of Regional Coordinator for the Immunisation and Vaccine Development Programme at the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville.

From June 2008 to May 2014, Dr. Mihigo served as the Team Lead for the Immunisation & Vaccine Development Programme at the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Earlier, from August 2006 to May 2008, Dr. Mihigo was the Immunisation and New Vaccines Officer at the Inter-Country Support Team for West Africa countries, World Health Organization, based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

From July 2004 to July 2006, he worked as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer at the Inter-Country Programme for Central Africa countries, World Health Organization, based in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

From January to June 2004, Dr. Mihigo served as the Permanent Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). Additionally, From 2000 to 2003, Dr. Mihigo served as the National Programme Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) at the Ministry of Health in Rwanda.

From 1999 to 2000, he held the position of the Provincial Medical Director at the Ministry of Health, overseeing Provincial Health Services in Butare District.

Previously, from 1996 to 1999, Dr. Mihigo was the District Medical Director at the Ministry of Health, overseeing District Health Services in Nyanza Province, and from September 1994 to 1996, he served as the first Medical Director of Nyanza Hospital in the difficult period following the end of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Dr. Mihigo, proficient in English and French, has received four awards for his contributions to healthcare and has published 32 research papers on health.

The digital platform is tailored to advance community driven welfare. The platform encompasses various initiatives, including infrastructure projects, educational facilities, healthcare services, and others.

Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, the Mayor of Rwamagana District, emphasized the pivotal role of technology in advancing community-driven development projects.

He stated “A resident will able to access and see how the city and the entire district is growing based on the delivered Spatial information that can now address all relevant concerns, from seeking assistance to voicing grievances, whether it pertains to the community, schools, or health facilities etc.”

“All of these efforts are facilitated through technology, empowering you to take charge of decision-making processes based on Reliabilities and addressing issues based on reliable real-time information and your specific needs.”

Within the Urban Dynamic Map and Spatial development framework system implemented in Rwamagana, residents can access data regarding demographics and regional maps, enabling them to explore pertinent information about their neighborhoods comprehensively.

The project also equiped Districts with Digital Situation/decision rooms. In the Decision room data in Rwamagana there is a computer and two large screens that are used to look at statistics and maps of the area, where they can search for information about a particular village and find out everything that is there and what is not.

Mayor Mbonyumuvunyi announced that this room helps in informed decision making, whereby planning and Identifying what is needed inside the district territory is now much easier. The facility is also used in implementation and real time monitoring and evaluating of district projects as they get implemented.

He remarked, “This System integrates comprehensive data accessible to residents, fostering transparency and accountability. Whether you seek local updates or wish to report concerns, the system provides tools such as demographics and regional maps to facilitate informed decision-making.”

This System of Urban dynamic Map and Spatial development framework is going to be continued supported by Enabel in the 5 years (2025-2029), whereby those 5 districts and Central Level Staffs will be regularly capacitated by Rwanda Housing Authority and Ministry of Infrastructure.

California emerged as a focal point for progressive strategies, where voters narrowly approved a ballot measure prioritizing funding for homeless services.

This initiative reflects a growing consensus among some segments of the public and policymakers on the need for increased resources to tackle homelessness head-on.

Conversely, in Chicago, a proposed tax increase on high-value property transfers designed to fund homeless programs faced rejection by voters. This outcome underscores a palpable frustration and skepticism among the electorate regarding the effectiveness of such funding measures, despite the city’s growing need to support its residents without stable housing.

Florida and Kentucky have opted for a markedly different approach, implementing policies that effectively criminalize homelessness. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning camping in public spaces, while Kentucky’s legislature moved forward with a bill that not only prohibits camping but also expands citizens’ rights to use force against perceived trespassers. These measures have ignited a fierce debate over the ethics and efficacy of criminalizing poverty and homelessness.

The problem of homelessness is undeniably worsening, with over 653,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2023, marking a 12% increase from the previous year.

Homeless advocates and policy experts argue that the solution lies in creating more affordable housing options, rather than transient crackdowns that fail to address the root causes of homelessness.

Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center criticized the focus on criminalization as fundamentally misguided. The challenges of reversing decades of underfunded housing programs cannot be underestimated, nor can they be swiftly resolved through punitive measures.

Governor DeSantis defended Florida’s tough stance by contrasting it with California’s approach, which despite significant investment in housing and homelessness programs, continues to struggle with a large homeless population. The controversy underscores the divergent philosophies on public policy and social welfare across the nation.

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to weigh in on this issue, with upcoming arguments in an Oregon case that may set legal precedents on the enforcement of anti-camping laws. This decision could potentially redefine the landscape of homelessness policy in America.

Amid these developments, voter sentiment on funding initiatives reflects a broader disillusionment with past efforts to address homelessness, suggesting a crisis of confidence in traditional solutions. The narrow passage of California’s funding measure, alongside the rejection of Chicago’s tax proposal, signals a complex mix of concern, frustration, and debate over the most effective path forward.

As the nation grapples with these divergent strategies, the debate over how to humanely and effectively address homelessness continues to intensify, raising crucial questions about the balance between compassion, public safety, and social responsibility.

Just like that, the refrain of Imagine Dragon’s song plays in your ears, “Pain, you made me a believer”. And with a confused facial expression, you wonder how a person can really praise pain like that, regardless of all the scars it has left with your heart. “Is that just a metaphor? Or is pain some kind of blessing or something?” You wonder.

In this life that some describe as ‘a double edged sword’, pain is almost like a stone that none can dodge. It exists and lives with us. Pain has created billions of enemies around the world, because, who would not hate it? However, I just have a simple question. ‘Have you ever thought of how your life would be without pain?’ Just picture a life where you can’t feel burnt upon touching a hot saucepan. A life where you can’t feel the stab of a nail until you see your feet painted with blood. Isn’t that even scarier?

Pain is more than just what it feels like, it is the body’s way of communication to us. Pain tells us what is going on. It tells us that our body temperature has risen, something got into our eyes, or simply that something went wrong in our body. Pain is not just a bad thing, pain is a sign that something bad happened. If we look on a brighter side, pain is just a loyal messenger.

Even if it is a curse to almost everyone, pain is just a pipe dream to some. To people with CIPA, a condition in which one’s body has an inability to feel pain, pain is something they wish they could feel. These people can’t even know it when they accidentally sit on a hot stove. They will always stay in the shadows until their body gets all destroyed beyond repair. So, do you still think pain is a bad thing?

{{Pain warns us}}

Just a simple example. The body’s way to let you know that you might have been attacked by a certain bacteria or a virus, is by raising the body temperature, giving you a headache, feeling nauseous, etc. upon these painful symptoms, you consult a medical scientist who diagnoses the disease and treats it. Now imagine if you couldn’t know that you’re attacked? You would never get treated and in the end, you’d just die. Pain warns us that danger is approaching so that we can get ourselves out of it before it is already too late.

{{It makes us passionate}}

All that pain does is make us question everything before we throw ourselves into it. Pain is what makes a teen come to school a bit earlier today, because she was punished yesterday. It is what makes a hungry person work regardless of the weakness. The fear of feeling pain tomorrow makes us wake up and give meaning to whatever we do.

{{Pain helps us set priorities}}

A wise man called Nietzsche said, ‘what does not kill you makes you stronger’. Just like a muscle, in order to be built up, we need to experience some portions of pain. Going through something bad trains us both physically and mentally so that tomorrow, we can even endure the worst.

{{It makes us wise}}

According to Al Ben-Shahar, a lecturer at Harvard University, wisdom emerges from the experience of suffering. It is every human’s nature that, when things go as expected, we rarely ask questions.

In the presence of difficulties, however, our minds are forced to reflect on our experiences, make different choices and find preventive measures for the worst. In what Khenchen Könchog Gyaltshen, founder of several Buddhist centres worldwide, addresses as the benefits of suffering, wisdom hits the top.

The truth is, we’ll always face difficulties as long as we are still breathing. Pain will just inform us and force us to find answers to that. We’ll always hate pain because it makes us cry, hurt and worse, but more importantly, we’ll always listen when pain speaks. We’ll always pay attention, learn and improve, thanks to pain.

It was on Saturday, holding my big sister’s smartphone on which I was watching YouTube shots. Just as I was recklessly sliding, I saw a caption that read like ‘a funny scene from Suspicious Partner’. Just as the movie name convinced me enough, I found myself watching it. Since then, I have been not just a fan but a lover of Korean movies.

Do you think it is just the drama that I fell head over heels for? Hot romantic scenes? Funny acting? No. Those are just a bonus. There are a lot of life lessons disguised in funny-like acting of Korean dramas, and those are what created my sweet addiction

Even though you’re most likely to encounter a lead who is almost non-human in Korean dramas, there are more to the fantasies, supernaturalism and unrealism that are depicted. If you’re ready, I will just give you a sip on hundreds of lessons I learned through this hobby:

Things aren’t always what they seem. In a movie called ‘Suspicious Partner’ where a girl was accused of killing her ex-boyfriend, the evidence, past, present and almost everything pointed at her. Everyone accused, hated and insulted her even when she knew she never did it. She would neither get a job nor a friend.

If it wasn’t for a person who decided to dig and reveal the truth, the girl would have really rotted in jail. Not always about crimes or justice things, sometimes we are forced to believe things just as they seem to be. This is why it is always easy for con artists to scam us.

There is also this movie where young entrepreneurs strive to turn their dream into reality, it is called ‘start up’. Though this might sound like a motivational joke to you, the most dangerous barrier between us and our success is our ‘mindset’ as the movie teaches. In this world where people suffer due to poverty and whatever, everything is most likely to fail if you don’t have a diligent mind.

Everyone has their own uniqueness, and that can be used for their success, be it financial, relationship or anything. I have learned it from most of the second leads of K-dramas. Sometimes all we do is waste our time envying others and dreaming of what they have instead of recognizing and making use of our own abilities. Everyone has got drawbacks but strengths are there too. Embracing that, countless opportunities await us.

Most importantly, I have learned that as long as I am being truthful and doing my best, all I have to do is give it time. Just like the saying ‘the truth will prevail’, K-dramas has taught me to believe in positivity that loyalty bears.

On top of that, Korean movies have taught me a lot about science, history and relationships. You can’t believe that I first heard of phobias through them. Sometimes I could even sit in an exam and answer a certain question according to what I got from them.

Whether you’re at the edge of giving up, feeling down or chasing knowledge, if you’re a movie lover, I hope you learn to choose ones that can help with your certain situations. And like that I hope you get all incredible lessons and try to execute what you learned.

In this loud world where humans, machines and everything make intolerable noises, it is almost impossible to spend an hour in total silence. Even if one chooses to, it always feels like a lethal penalty, because after all, our lips are there to express what our brain thinks.

Even after experiencing abuse, torture and humiliation, sometimes our emotions are too strong to be easily pronounced. Even if they were, sometimes the truth that none is going to understand or give a real meaning to what you’re feeling hits hard, and that is when you wish you could just choose silence even when it is not easy.

Every living human seeks for understanding. None wishes to be misunderstood at least when their lips are not sealed. This is probably why everyone struggles to speak, be it for the purpose of winning an argument, showing their knowledge or simply getting themselves from any kind of trouble. However, though speaking for yourself can really help, the power of silence should never be neglected.

When I asked my friend if she thinks silence really helps, she smiled a bit and gave me a satisfying answer.

“Keeping silence is really a powerful tool when it comes to creative thinking. There is this time when I felt like I couldn’t think anymore. I am a content writer, so thinking was a part of my job. When that happened, I tried all possible things but none worked. That’s when I decided to practice silence. It was only after 2 hours that I started getting ideas, and from then, silence has become my loyal assistance in thinking and creating new things,” she said.

Silence exists as a free tranquilizer in times of uneasiness. During all troubles and stress that we experience in life, silence emerges as the best way to endure all of it. It gives us a sense of peace and mental clarity. It additionally improves our listening, learning and decision-making ability.

According to Dr. Cloninger, silence gives us time and space to understand who we are.

“Silence leaves us alone with our inner dialogue, which allows us to reflect, resolve conflicts, and understand our feelings by granting us access to higher levels of our own creativity and inspiration. Being alone with our inner voices is crucial to knowing ourselves,” he said.

Though silence is not everyone’s pill to swallow, especially, in this roaring world, it carries hidden treasures once embraced. It is undoubtedly worthwhile when practiced.

You might be among people who fell in love with music, admiring every part of it, alphabet by alphabet, until you found yourself fully sunk. But it would be such a shame if you weren’t aware of your lover’s capability. Because in this world full of chaos, music emerges as an umbrella that blocks the storms of pain, sadness, etc.

Music is a language so universal and easy that it transcends linguistic, cultural and age barriers. I am sure you have noticed that at the beat of drums and the sound of guitars and pianos, grandfathers, mothers, teens and even toddlers move up as if something like magic boosted their mood.

If you’re a part of a big family, you might also have discerned how babies are sung lullabies so that they can sleep. It’s not only them, because even you, sometimes, put earphones in your ears, play the music, and close your eyes so that you can sleep peacefully. This is why most of us agreed with George Elliot when he said “life seems to go without effort when I am filled with music”.

Though all these explain the bliss we get through music, it doesn’t just stop by there. Music goes into the depths and blesses our lives from the physical aspect to the physiological aspect.

According to science, listening to music increases the blood flow to the brain region that generates and controls emotions. When our ears perceive music, this part of the brain lights up and releases chemicals like dopamine that trigger sensation of pleasure and wellbeing. The release of these chemicals might be the reason for the chills you feel when you hear a certain moving piece of music.

As you listen to the song multiple times, the brain might get used to it, then your body will release dopamine upon hearing just a few words of the song. This is why you always feel something strange when the first beat of your favorite song gets on the play. Interestingly though, music has an ability to change our moods even when we don’t recognize the lyrics or distinguish melodies.

Furthermore, neurologists have claimed that listening to music improves memories. In the past years, it was believed that the melody of a certain song can only improve the area of memory related to music. This is the reason why couples always play the kind of music played on their first date, so that they can enhance their memories of that day.

However it has been recently stated that music can also have a positive effect on the general memory. That being the fact, Catherine Loveday, a neuropsychologist, declared her theory that no other mental stimulus triggers the brain development as powerfully as music does.

Working memory and the center for speech and language are parts of the brain that benefit from playing a musical instrument. In this line, studies have shown that music can be used to treat diseases associated with memory loss like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

You might also have noticed that some women listen to music during labor or just any other thing that gives pain. The ability of music to distract is associated with its pain-relieving ability. When our brains are focused on the enchanting melody, we do not notice our cramps, aching back, etc.

Suppose you are attending a meeting and tea is being served. Upon looking inside your cup, you recognize that there is only a small quantity of tea. Would you complain about your cup being unfilled, or would you just embrace the warmth of the tea as you take a sip after another?

While a pessimist will always look at a rainy day and think of how it ruined their plans, an optimist will look at every drop that falls and fantasize about how flowers will bloom because of that same rain. Optimists will always believe in a successful plan, a beautiful tomorrow and a blissful future.

According to science, optimism is beneficial not in the way one gets out of trouble, but in the way they react to stressful events. Optimists will always find a positive lens to view things through, which in the end, will bring bliss into their lives. If we dive in, we’ll find more benefits of optimism:

Optimists live a good long life. This might be due to the fact that optimists are thought to engage in healthy behaviors like eating well, laughing a lot, working out, etc. These behaviors are believed to boost their immune system and improve their cardiovascular life which in return extend their lifetime.

Apart from that, optimists’ bodies produce a small amount of stress hormones, and in the end, this prevents the accidental increase in their blood sugar and developing diabetes.

Optimists achieve a lot. I am sure you know at least one person who gives up before they even start something. To be honest, how can you get something if you’ve never tried it? According to Albert Einstein, ‘a person who never made a mistake has never tried anything new’. Through this and a positive mind, an optimist tries out everything, be it difficult or almost impossible. This makes them learn a lot and achieve a lot.

Adding to all these, optimists tend to be emotionally healthy. Just close your eyes and picture a person who always sees the good in every situation.

Even if their loved one is in the operating room, they are as calm as a beautiful ocean. On that note, how would they ever be emotionally unwell if nothing ever stresses them? Because after all, emotional wellbeing dies when we are overwhelmed by stress of any kind.

Some people are blessed enough to be born as optimists that they don’t have to put any effort into it. However, it is not so depressing if you’re not one. As long you want to become so optimistic, here are tips on how to practice it:

{{Practice gratitude}}

Yes, there are a lot of things that we lack. But what if we were to take a look at what we already have? Aren’t they precious and worth our gratitude? By appreciating little things, we train our minds to be grateful for whatever life brings in front of us.

{{Don’t blame yourself when things go wrong}}

Always remember that mistakes happen in life. We are only humans, making mistakes is a part of our life and it is the only way we can learn new things.

{{Remind yourself that setbacks are temporal}}

Everything passes. If you get a small grade in your CAT, for instance, always remember that you can do better tomorrow. You can just create improvement opportunities instead of blaming yourself. Remember beating yourself up only brings wounds.

{{Reward yourself}}

Whenever you achieve or do something, be it big or just small, give yourself credits. Recognize your efforts and appreciate yourself. Buy yourself something if you can and if you can’t, at least call yourself cool names.

In this life where things happen and fall out of our hands, it is only right to accept and appreciate what is already here, especially now that we know that not everything can be changed. With an optimistic mind, changing what we can and being grateful for what we have is almost all we need to live long with a smile on our faces.

Davis was raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where her father found work as a horse groom at nearby racetracks and her mother took on domestic and factory jobs. Their income was frequently insufficient to support the family, and they endured grim rat-infested apartments and occasional food shortages. As a child, Davis began acting in school productions and theater competitions. She enrolled at Rhode Island College, where she majored in theater and graduated in 1988.

Davis proceeded to the Young People’s School for the Performing Arts in Rhode Island on scholarship before attending the Juilliard School, from which she graduated in 1994.

She has been marked in different Movies like ‘The woman King’, ‘How to get away with Murder’ , ‘The Help’ , ‘doubt’ , ‘Fences’, ‘The Hunger’ and ‘Air’.

She did not stop there as she went beyond and wrote a book titled {{‘Finding Me’}}.

In her book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.

“This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me.”

As She wrote ‘Finding Me’, her eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination.

“We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.

Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.”

{{Awards and recognition}}

Davis’s list of accolades reads like a testament to her exceptional abilities. With numerous awards and nominations in her illustrious career, she stands as a true role model for emerging talents. Her collection of honors includes a Primetime Emmy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards for television, two Tony Awards, and three Drama Desk Awards for her theater performances.

In the world of film, she has achieved the pinnacle, securing an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, a record she shares with Renée Zellweger.

{{Breaking barriers}}

Davis’s remarkable achievements extend beyond the accolades. She has carved her path as a trailblazer in an industry that often presents challenges to people of color, especially women.

Davis’s four Academy Award nominations make her the most nominated black actress in history, a testament to her resilience and talent.

{{The power of representation}}

Davis has consistently chosen roles that challenge societal norms and shed light on important issues. Her portrayal of Aibileen Clark in the film “The Help” is a prime example. The movie, set in the racially segregated 1960s America, explores the harrowing experiences of Black women working as maids in white households.

While the film has faced criticism for its approach, Davis’s performance, along with those of other Black actors like Octavia Spencer, shines as a beacon of strength and resilience.

Davis herself has acknowledged the film’s flaws, particularly its focus on a white protagonist’s perspective, which can be seen as a “white savior” narrative.

Despite this, her portrayal of Aibileen Clark serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of Black women during challenging times. It is a performance that inspires young women to use their voices to challenge injustice and discrimination.

{{Inspiration for young women}}

Davis’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of the few performers to achieve the coveted EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Her dedication to her craft, her fearlessness in tackling complex and important roles, and her commitment to speaking out on issues of representation and social justice make her a beacon of hope and empowerment for young women everywhere.

Aspiring actresses and women looking to break into the entertainment industry can draw inspiration from Viola Davis’s incredible career. She has shown that talent, hard work, and a commitment to meaningful storytelling can overcome even the most significant obstacles.

Davis is not just an actress; she is a symbol of empowerment, a reminder that women, particularly women of color, can achieve greatness in an industry that has historically been exclusive. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of young women to pursue their dreams and make their voices heard, both on and off the screen.

In the midst of Hollywood’s evolving landscape, Viola Davis stands tall, reminding us all that the power of representation and the strength of character can change the world. Young women, take note: Viola Davis’s journey is a testament to the heights you can reach when you dare to dream and work relentlessly to make those dreams a reality.