ONE of the significant breakthroughs resulting from an appeal to well-wishers to assist Nadia
Mutisi, from the University of Zimbabwe Law School, and I, from the Great Zimbabwe
University in attending a law internship abroad, was an offer for accommodation.
Levi and Stephanie Mberego, a humble, principled and God-fearing Christian family of
Zimbabwean heritage based in Maryland, USA, opened up their home to the three of us and
acted as guardians throughout our stay.
The third African student on the programme was Nigerian Victoria Aduroja. She and the two of
us from Zimbabwe were hosted by the Mberego family.
In June 2022, I travelled to the United States and began my eight week long internship with the
O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, a leading health law and policy think tank
based at the Georgetown University Law Centre in Washington DC.
At the O’Neill Institute, I took part in exciting health policy initiatives under the Institute's
Center for Transformational Health Law.
My work focused on the Covid-19 Pandemic and legal measures adopted by nations to protect
the public. With guidance from my mentors, Katherine Ginsbach and Kashish Aneja, I explored
the Covid-19 legal responses of Antigua and Barbuda, Andorra, Angola, Bahamas, Belize,
Barbados, Canada, Iceland, Sweden and Zimbabwe for the “Covid-19 Law Lab” project.
Interning at the O’Neill Institute allowed me to rub shoulders with experts in the field of health
law and policy. I received mentorship and guidance from experts such as Jeff Crowley, Former
Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and Senior Advisor on Disability
Policy for former President Barack Obama, as well as Sarah Bosha, Director of the Capacity-
Building Initiative and a visiting professor of law at Georgetown University.
As a multicultural organisation, staff of the institute represented different parts of the globe. Our
intern cohort was similarly diverse. It comprised law students from South Africa, Nigeria,
Germany, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. I was
honored to represent my country and Great Zimbabwe University in this select group.
Outside of work, the Washington D.C experience was most excellent. Through the generosity of
the Mberego family, I was able to fellowship with a strong Christian community. More so, the
Mberegos graciously introduced us to their multicultural, multinational and ethnically diverse
circle of friends. I interacted with remarkable personalities from India, Nigeria, Kenya and
Namibia. I also developed friendships with young people from Columbia, Bolivia and US states
such as Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
When time permitted, I explored Washington DC and its diverse tourist offerings. Among the
places I toured were the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument, several of
the Smithsonian museums, Kennedy Centre, US Supreme Court and US Capitol building.
My colleagues and I extended solidarity to the American people during their Independence Day
celebrations on behalf of Zimbabweans.
In conclusion, I gladly report that the dream came true. The wisdom of our elders teaches that,
“Kusatenda huoyi” – Ingratitude is witchcraft. I am grateful for the instrumental role in
mobilising assistance for us; Levi and Stephanie Mberego for taking us in and being world-class
hosts; Great Zimbabwe University, particularly Vice-Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo, and
the Dean of Law, Victor Nkiwane, who facilitated my application and air travel; Kingdom Life
Church Zimbabwe for supporting my expenses and encouraging my resolve; my mother, a strong
pillar of support; and lastly, the O’Neill Institute for granting me the opportunity.
