Jemima Homawoo has seen a lot of the world: she hails from Ghana, but was born in Japan. Her father’s job at Nissan meant her family moved around a lot and she grew up in Ghana, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. Jemima now lives in Washington D.C. where she works as a media logger at Voice of America.
Jemima received a master’s degree in international development from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in 2015. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science from the University of Dayton in Ohio. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books and blogs, going to concerts, watching movies and TV shows, crocheting, and watching soccer—especially Manchester United in the English Premier League.
Jemima began volunteering with InStepp seven months ago. She chose to work with InStepp after learning about it on a volunteer matching website because she was interested in serving an organization that helps women. Her volunteer work involves contributing content to the website and to the blog. Jemima’s previously volunteered with an afterschool program focused on empowering middle school girls while she was a student at the University of Dayton.
Although she is a long-distant volunteer, Jemima says she is inspired by the staff and volunteers at InStepp and their commitment to helping women make positive changes in their lives. “Writing about topics connected to women has enabled me to research and learn more about the work people are doing around the world to empower women,” she says.
To those thinking of volunteering, Jemima says “Be open and do not be afraid to share your ideas and thoughts. Even if you are unable to participate in a specific program, you can still contribute and utilize the skills you have.”