Wellness Ambassadors

Program: BSc Public Administration
Ambassador since: March 2019
Reason for being an ambassador: My desire to serve and help people by any means (speaking, poetry and music included) with a given opportunity.
Experience as an ambassador: My experience as an ambassador has been great. There are so many things that are trashed out of conversation especially with the young people hence, we have “rehearsed” answers to certain questions to avoid being in the position of opening up to attract help for ourselves. Encountering different people with different interest and preferences, learning every day and most importantly being able to witness the spark in people eyes as their teeth run free from their lips with smiles on faces, now, that’s fulfilling.
Favourite quote: Always look at the brighter side of every situation and God will see you through.

Program: BSc. Business Administration
Ambassador since: September 2019
Reason for being an Ambassador:
Advocating for GIMPA counseling and Health Center activities to students and staff, advocating for good Physical well-being ( which includes doing some form of physical activities such as: exercising, eating well, and having enough sleep); Emotional well-being (Advocating for resilience to help others respond positively towards life challenges and obstacles, especially towards stress, and also advocating for meditation); Social well-being (creating an environment that gives other students a sense of belonging); Career well-being (guiding colleagues in choosing a good career paths based on their passion and their current foundational studies), and Academic well-being (Teaching and guiding colleagues who had difficulties in most of the courses).
Simply put, the pressure to succeed, perform academically, thrive in extracurricular activities, and hold jobs is not an easy task. The above are some of the reasons why I joined the wellness team to help my colleagues in my own small way.
Experience as an Ambassador:
My journey of schooling in GIMPA (main campus) has shaped my thinking abilities and behavior. As a student, I took the initiative to undertake many extra-curricular activities all in the attempt of gaining exposure, and developing my capabilities. I must confess, joining groups or associations on campus wasn’t a bad decision because it has helped me a lot. Some of the associations I joined and the positions I occupied include; Electoral commission chairperson for Gimpa business school (2019), Project manager/vice president for Enactus Gimpa, General Assembly member for a class of 65 students from level 100 to 400, just to mention but a few.
The GIMPA Wellness Ambassadors are volunteers that help create a culture of whole-person wellness on campus by promoting participation and engagement in wellness programs, services, and events.
Wellness ambassadors play a vital role in supporting the promotion of health and wellness among GIMPA students and staff. Follow as I share my experience with the wellness ambassadorial team.
Imagine having a stressful semester, exams coming in the following week, thinking of how to pass various exams, and being afraid of failing the exams because you are not prepared. In this state of mind, a friend approached you and told you about a new association they’re planning to establish and he feels you’ll be a good candidate for this association. I know what you would say. You might ask yourself – Is this guy okay? Yes, that’s exactly what came to mind but after careful thought, I decided to join in 2019. I joined not because I didn’t want to learn and pass my exams but to give back to society and I believe if we put other people’s problems first, we will end up solving our own problems too.
I remember vividly how stressed I was during this period. Attending the program as a wellness Ambassador, I got the chance to communicate with other colleagues, and gave bits of advice on eating, sleeping, and exercising habits. Through my interactions with a few colleagues, I realized the reason why I had been so worried and anxious about the exams was not that I had not learnt but because I was too stressed out and had not taken time off my books to do anything fun. I had been so glued to my books and other unnecessary things. After realizing the situation, I started appreciating the program more and also partook in the activities organized at the event. I took the time to enjoy the massage session, the art session, and the medical test session, interacted with a few of my colleagues and even made new friends. Not to forget, I also enjoyed the fruits session LOL!. It was a fun moment, we took pictures and enjoyed all the activities presented to us. Well, the interesting part was getting testimonies from my colleagues on how the program impacted their lives positively, especially in their studies. As the semester continued, I had a lot of questions on when we were going to organize such a program again and also got feedback as to how to improve on it. The experience was priceless and worth memorizing. Not to forget my ambassadorial team/counselor; they were very welcoming, friendly, and easily approachable. This created a conducive atmosphere and it attracted a lot of people to enjoy the experience.
The experience was great and helped me relax, it helped me forget most of the things I was thinking about and helped me focus properly on studying my books. From that very moment, I decided to spend much time with the association to help others and also to help improve the wellness ambassadorial team; making it better and more exciting than it used to be.
Being a wellness Ambassador gave me the forum to advocate and help others in the following areas; choosing a healthy lifestyle to help improve quality of life, advocating for a good nutritious diet and physical exercise, and helping other colleagues who had difficulty in most of the business courses.
Being a member of the wellness ambassadorial team allowed me to share ideas which helped in creating programs that foster cultural wellness and a sense of belonging on campus. This volunteering opportunity helped me acquire some interpersonal skills which include communication skills, Team playing/ Team Leading and team management skills, effective planning skills, active listening, caring and motivating others.
It’s been an exciting journey and I recommend the GIMPA counseling center to anyone who wishes to join any association on campus.
To conclude, joining extra-curricular activities while on campus is never a waste of time and energy. Take the advantage to join an association on campus because it allows you to explore, learn and shape your lifestyle. It helps you get access to recent information on campus and an upper hand over other colleagues. Trust me, it’s worth allowing the school to pass through you than you passing through the school. Use the GIMPA Counseling Center (GCC) as a stepping stone to greatness. Also, remember not to put all your eggs (attention) in one basket (Academics).
Peace!!!
Favourite Quote:
Charles de lint.
“It’s all a matter of paying attention, being awake in the present moment, and not expecting a huge payoff. The magic in this world seems to work in whispers and small kindnesses”.
I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other, not just the people that are close to us but anybody who needs a helping hand. I can’t change the way anybody else thinks, or what they choose to do but I can do my bit.

Program: BSc. Business Administration
Ambassador since: November 2018
Reason for being an ambassador:
I chose to become an ambassador because I love to keep healthy and try to encourage others to do same. When I found out about this opportunity to join a recognized team to preach about health and fitness and how important it is to be well health-wise, as the adage goes, “health is wealth”, I decided to join and become an ambassador.
Experience as an ambassador:
I have enjoyed the journey as an ambassador. I quite remember one of the events we had. I was an ambassador but I also took part in one of the activities being organized. It had been a very tough semester and exams were just a few weeks away. I remember vividly that I just went to stare at the caged rabbits on display. I love nature so seeing that was lovely. After the event, I was so calm and relaxed eh! My goodness!!!
The best moments in my journey as an ambassador were during the outreach programs we had for the student body. Through it all (that is from planning to execution), I enjoyed working with the rest of the team, with regards to health and fitness. Activities that went on while on the field during these programs were interesting for me as I interacted with different caliber of persons—some who were very welcoming and others who were not so welcoming. It was a learning curve for me as a business student who was taking on an ambassadorial role, which was out of my context of study and new to me, really, because I was looking for exposure and here I was; a not-so-experienced sophomore who found himself in this terrain where he’d have to initiate conversations as students trooped into and out of the area. I must say that it has been quite an interesting journey being an ambassador for the GIMPA counselling center because the counsellor herself is a very accommodating and friendly person. Working with her has been very amazing, and also, my teammates were great. I never regret joining the ambassadors. Whenever I reminisce times, especially after the event, where we would take pictures and have to pack up with all hands on-deck, I just miss these memories. Another thing too was how my class colleagues would tell me how impactful the outreaches were to them and how these helped them in their studies as well. The experience is one worth remembering and embracing, even for a lifetime.
Finally, as a way of encouraging anyone who reads this, joining an extra-curricular activity while in school is never a waste of time. Do not wait till you are done with school before you regret not joining one. One thing worth remembering , and for which reason I am excited about this journey is this, “people will always remember how you made them feel”. If you want to be a person of impact, I recommend you join the GIMPA counselling center’s wellness ambassador program for a start. Shalom!
Favourite quote: “work hard, pray hard, play hard!”

Level: 400
Program: Project Management
Ambassador since: January, 2022
Reason for being an ambassador:
a. To support raise awareness of the counselling centers activities to the broad student body, academic workshops, and wellness outreach programs.
b. To aid evaluate cognition of student health research and its influence on individuals.
c. To assist as liaison for forthcoming students, helping them to identify achievable academic paths and chances.
d. To help me get equipment, social support privacy, and strategies to adopt and maintain healthy behavior.
Experience as an ambassador: it has enhanced my communication skills and professional skills such as mindful listening, reliable, respectful, timely, and organized.
Favorite quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)

Level: 400
Program: Hospitality and Tourism Management (GBSTH)
Ambassador since: March, 2019
Reason for being an ambassador: To be of help and service to others.
Experience as an ambassador: My experience has been absolutely amazing! I do not regret volunteering to be a part of this great cause. It has been so satisfying to see the smiles on peoples’ faces whenever I assist them at any of our programs.
Favourite quote: It is well.

Level: 300
Program: BSc ICT
Ambassador since: February 2022
Reason for being an ambassador: To help students in social and emotional competency and being resilient on campus and in order to help make campus life easier for them.
Favorite quote: “Though much is taken, much abides and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

Level: 100
Program: Bsc Health Informatics
Ambassador since: March, 2022
Reason for being an ambassador:
I believe that physical and mental wellbeing is essential in creating a sound mind for students to achieve their academic and personal development goals. I am excited to help create awareness of the GIMPA Counselling Centre’s activities, and the resources available for students at the center to support mental wellbeing. I am also looking forward to increasing my knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing issues.
Favourite quote:
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein.

Level : 200

Program : school of public service and governance

Ambassador since: January 2022

Reasons for been an ambassador: Life has seen me through various experiences, opportunities and hardships. I know how it feels to be emotionally drained, not having anyone to speak to and not knowing what to do. This made me develop the love to support and encourage others, hence my joining the wellness ambassadors’ program.

Favorite quote: Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter (Martin Luther King jnr).

Level: 200
Program: Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
Ambassador since: January 2022
Reason for being an ambassador: My major reason for being an ambassador is to give back to the student community my experience, knowledge and skills gained from several wellness programs by way of promoting activities that encourages good health, wellness, social well-being, and peer support within the academic environment
Favorite quote: One way or the other, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that. – Joseph Campbell

Level: Level 200
Program: Procurement, logistics and supply chain management.
Ambassador since: April 2022
Reason for being an ambassador: To be able to identify, understand and implement a behaviour that enhances the wellbeing of my colleagues, as well as communicate latest wellness activity programs to them.
Favourite quote: when ‘i’ is replaced with ‘we’ even ‘illness’ is replaced with ‘wellness’.

Level: 300
Program: LLB Law
Ambassador since: November 2021
Reason for being an ambassador: My reason for being an ambassador was birthed out of a personal experience I had with emotional distress. This experience stoked an interest to gain the knowledge to help others with similar and related problems.
Experience as an ambassador: Since I became an ambassador, I’ve been on the ground telling my colleagues about the mental health services provided by the GIMPA Counselling Unit.
Favourite quote: Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. ~Oscar Wilde

Level: 200
Program: BSc. Computer science
Ambassador since: February , 2022
Reason for being an ambassador: I joined the ambassador program to create awareness of mental health issues among students. Poor mental health has negative consequences on the lifestyle of students, their academic performance, as well as their social life. Due to past experience, I became an ambassador in order to help students who are going through mental health issues and give them hope and encouragement.
Experience as an ambassador: I have had the privilege to provide support for some students who were depressed with good success.
Favourite quote: “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ― John Green

Level: 400
Program: Business Administration.
Ambassador since: November, 2021.
Reason for being an ambassador: I am an advocate for or working towards a healthier lifestyle and wellness. I believe Students are more receptive to and learn better from informed, educated colleagues. Taking up this role will help me engage and educate them on how taking care of their well-being can set them up for personal and academic success. My life is all about making positive impacts in the lives of those around me.
Experience as an ambassador: I’ve gotten to meet so many people in my faculty that I may not have had an opportunity to meet otherwise. It has been incredibly rewarding to see my colleagues and some members of my department embracing my wellness space/items and adopting new behaviors.
Favorite quote: Whoever is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

Level: 400
Program: Bsc. Tourism and Hospitality Management
Ambassador since: January 2022
Reason for being an ambassador: I’ve always been an advocate for mental health and topics related to our well-being. Agreeing to volunteer as an ambassador was a better way for me to provide comfort and better solutions to the everyday stories’ colleagues share with me regarding the challenges they face both academically and professionally.
Experience as an ambassador: By far, I’ve met with some students to help work with them to improve emotional wellness in our student body. I believe it is the best way to go and I look forward to touching as many lives as possible.
Favourite quote: “Remember that your mental health is a priority, your inner peace is essential and your self-care is a necessity”.