Christine Nganga is a junior at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Health Science on the Pre-Medicine track, class of 2027. She is a first-generation Kenyan-American from Raleigh, North Carolina, whose goal is to earn both an MD and an MPH to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities. Being a first-generation college student has shaped her drive to create impact and uplift others along the way. Outside of her studies, she recently learned how to knit and has been taking cycling classes for fun.
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Christine came to caregiving through CareYaya because its mission aligned with both her personal values and professional goals. She was drawn to the chance to engage in meaningful work that combines patience, empathy, and accountability, and to learn from the real-life experiences of families while providing them with reliable support. Over the course of six to twelve months, she cared for an older adult in their 70s to 80s, providing consistent support with daily living activities including medication reminders, mobility assistance, light meal preparation aligned with dietary recommendations, and transportation to medical appointments. She also supported light housekeeping with close attention to fall risks and home safety, and prioritized emotional presence through thoughtful conversation, reading together, and encouraging gentle cognitive and social activities that promoted dignity and autonomy.
One afternoon visit became a moment she has carried with her since. The individual she was caring for grew visibly frustrated while attempting to complete a simple task that had once been second nature. What struck Christine was not the difficulty of the task itself, but the quiet grief behind the frustration. Rather than stepping in immediately, she paused, offered encouragement, and adjusted her approach to provide support without taking over. That moment reshaped her understanding of caregiving entirely. She came to see that it is not solely about physical assistance, but about preserving autonomy, affirming personhood, and honoring the emotional complexity that so often accompanies aging.
The experience changed her in ways that felt both intellectual and deeply personal. On the surface, she grew more organized, more patient, and more attentive to detail. What stayed with her most, however, was a shift in how she understands health itself. She began to see how much of a person's wellbeing depends on the structures surrounding them, from access to resources to the strength of community support, and that health is not confined to a clinic or a diagnosis but lives in homes, neighborhoods, and relationships. Caregiving also asked something quieter of her. There were moments when she had to resist the urge to fix everything and instead choose to sit, listen, and affirm someone's dignity. Being trusted in that way, she says, felt sacred.
Her advice to anyone considering a student caregiving role is to really show up and stay open. The role is not just about following instructions or completing tasks. It is about connecting with real people, understanding their needs, and bringing patience and empathy every single day. You will learn as much from the families you support as they learn from you, and that exchange, she believes, is what makes the work so meaningful.