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*A Message Written by the Co-Founder of Medicine For All People, Olatokunbo M. Famakinwa, '05*

Dear Friend,      
About two years ago, I visited an aunt and uncle that I had not seen for years.  We talked and laughed, but ultimately the tone of our conversation soon turned serious.  My uncle depicted to me the events that surrounded the death of his mother.  She had died of a stroke, yet it wasn't the occurrence of this illness that made the story so sad, rather, it was the sentiment that resonates in my mind until this day: Had the proper medical supplies and equipment been able, she would have survived.  It is this feeling that laid the foundation for Medicine For All People.

The story above is not new or particularly unique to my family.  Many people, perhaps even you who are reading this, can tell of a similar story.  You may know of sick relatives forced to come to America in order to receive treatment, only to ultimately return with a stock full of prescription drugs because of the lack of availability of those same drugs in their homelands.  Indeed, while many of us here in America can boast of efficient and readily available medicines and equipment, there are so many more people who can not say the same. Specifically, in many African and Caribbean nations, disease and conflict, as well as other socio-economic factors, severely limits access to items that would greatly improve healthcare, and ultimately, the quality of life for its citizens.  The focus is on these particular nations because the people in these nations are frequently overlooked, and the aid that is received is grossly insufficient.

                                             So what makes Medicine For All People so different from other organizations?                                                     
It is quite simple:

As students, we seek to not just TALK, but to truly
INSPIRE CHANGE.

On our college campuses, we noticed that when we tried to become "involved" in the cause by joining other international organizations, many of the students solely discussed the economic, social, and political plights of these nations, instead of actually trying to find ways to help.  Hence, the formation of this organization, and we are firmly dedicated to supplying medical supplies and technological innovations. Not only do we work with physicians to donate supplies, but we are also currently working on providing healthcare instruction and education to rural communities in targeted areas in order to improve the general health and well-being of the public.  The organization was started by myself and Christine Henry, '05 in September 2004, though we received our official charter from the Princeton University Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students in 2003.

So, here we are now...ready to grow, ready to move, and ready
to serve.  It is my sincere hope that you become involved with us
in truly helping to ensure quality healthcare around the world.

Sincerely,

O. Famakinwa