Subtle but effective is probably the best way to describe Sharon Browne-Peter. The 24-year-old author and founder of Cells of a Generation Initiative recently launched her comic book Didi. Below is our short interview with her.
Introduction
My name is Sharon Browne-Peter and I am 24 years old. My Mum is from Akwaibom state, Nigeria and my Dad is from St. Vincent, West Indies. I studied Real Estate and Urban Planning for my Undergraduate degree and now, I am the founder of a growing NGO called Cells of a Generation Initiative.
Growing up
I was born and raised in London, UK with my brother and single mother. I don’t remember my mum being too strict with me unless I lied, got into trouble or didn’t do my homework!
I think the values I got from my mum centered around being self sufficient. I learned how to be independent and take care of myself from a young age, especially with my health.
My mum also gave me many opportunities for creative expression so I was always in school plays and summer drama/singing classes all summer long. Growing up, I took 2 different music classes (the flute and piano) but I don’t remember being that particularly good at playing the piano though!
I’ve always loved reading fictional novels. Getting lost in a good book has always been a great joy of mine. I’m currently reading ‘Memory of Stone’ by Chio Zoe who is an Abuja based author.
Didi the comic book
When I thought about creating Didi, i felt a need to make it happen no matter what. I researched and got corporate funding for the project. ‘Didi’ is short for Edidiong, meaning ‘Blessing’ in Ibibio/Efik language. I wanted Didi to be a blessing to those who have sickle-cell and struggle to understand themselves, like I did when I was 13.
I would like Didi to give people with chronic diseases some confidence. Didi is the representation that a lot of people with Sickle-cell need.
I decided to create a life around Didi. To break it down, the Didi project is a charitable programme under my NGO, Cells of a Generation Initiative. It’s purpose is to serve as a series of stories about Didi’s life in the form of comics that will aid advocacy events within schools and hospitals around West Africa to spread Sickle-Cell awareness.
I’ve always loved writing and since the Didi project is a continuous project, I will definitely have to write more, with the help of other Warriors.
Didi launch
The comic launch happened during a worldwide pandemic so I did not have high expectations at all however, my friends and family shared so much love and support. My team is not big enough to provide covid relief packages to those who need it, so we collaborated with Sickle-Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF) to get 30 crates of water delivered along with some physical copies of the project to communities in the Abuja area. I really wanted to deliver this project to people that need it directly so collaboration is very important to me.
My life as a warrior
Growing up, I had to always wear warm clothes, even during summer. I would spend weeks in hospital and miss school. I wasn’t allowed many sleepovers. I was never really ‘trendy’ or cool. Just the girl with ‘yellow eyes’. When I tell people in my life now that I was ugly and nerdy growing up, it seems hard to believe!
I have been stigmatized in various ways. At my first internship at my job placement in the UK, I was told by a staff member that senior staff would find my health too unpredictable and they may never give me a managerial position.
I have never felt the pressure to prove myself to anyone else but myself. I would like to be a success story for people with sickle-cell, for people in my family and friendship group but only through my terms.
I was the youngest speaker at the African Congress on Sickle cell Disease (ACCSD) held last year in Lagos. It was a great effort to bring leaders from different nations, important individuals, founders and volunteers together in a bid to collaborate and fight the disorder together.
Sickle cell interventions
A lot of people have not realized this but, WHO created a strategy report for combating sickle-cell. This was specifically for member countries in the African region and was created in 2010. Many of the goals were in view of 2020 and have not been implemented by many of the member countries, including Nigeria. The corona virus has been a distraction but I really hope this gives us the opportunity to work on our healthcare sector and review this WHO strategy report.
Going forward
People with Sickle-cell should not be defined by their health status. I’ve met some of the best, kind hearted, playful, interesting people who just so happen to be Warriors. I would like people to treat Warriors how they would like to be treated.
June 19th is World Sickle-Cell Awareness Day! I would like for people to stay informed and support The Didi Project on Instagram @coaginitiative. I will be announcing a competition with a cash prize so stay tuned!
