From childhood, she dreamed of practicing medicine in Africa

From age 7, Kimberly Chew wanted to go to Africa.

Ten years later, the Culver City resident is finally fulfilling her unflinching dream to participate hands-on in the Lighthouse Medical Mission, for a week in Guinea Bissau, leaving March 27.

While other little girls dreamed of Cinderella or Selena, Kimberly imagined herself handing out medicines amid squalor while flies swirled.

“When I was little, I didn't really understand,” Kimberly said. “I just thought it would be cool” to aid patients in Africa on missions with her pediatrician, Dr. Robert Hamilton, of Santa Monica. “As I got older and I got closer to God, I thought it was my calling. I want to serve.”

Her dad, Eric, supports her. “It's all she talks about,” said the construction worker, who admits he harbors moderate fears of the exotic diseases prevalent in Africa. “She's going with a bunch of talented medical personnel. They'll be watching over her.”

Pretty much all volunteers are welcome on Lighthouse Medical Missions, though doctors, nurses and other medical professionals naturally have more to offer. They have to pay or fund-raise $3,250 for airfare and expenses.

I met Kimberly at a volunteers' meeting in Dr. Hamilton's home last week. She looked like she was in love – with Africa. Her eyes misted and she wouldn't take her gaze off the speaker as he described the hardships and hard work ahead.

“A lot of my friends are like, 'You're going to see lions and giraffes,'” she said. “I'm like, 'no.' We're going to see a lot of people with disease. I really want to serve the Lord. I'm thinking about being a missionary doctor. That's the life for me. I mean, to have money would be nice, but helping people in other countries is the most important thing right now.”

Kimberly grew up on the Westside of Los Angeles with her parents and younger sister. For four months, she studied at Lighthouse Church School, linked with the Lighthouse Medical Missions.

Serving humanity makes her heart hum. Kimberly started a club at Culver City High School, where she's a senior, called “Girl Talk,” which is a support group for young ladies with any kind of doubt – even about something like cutting or bullying. It's attended weekly by as many as 30 girls, she said.

Aside from medicine, kids are her passion. During the summer after her sophomore year, Kimberly helped at the La Ballona Preschool in Culver City. She teaches Sunday School at the Venice Santa Monica Free Methodist Church.

Last summer, Kimberly participated in the Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program in Los Angeles, a doctor-shadowing program designed to expose students interested in medical careers. She volunteers at Saint John's Health Center, doing mostly clerical work but with some patient interaction. She's an A student.

“My parents always pushed me to do better in school since I will be the first in the family to attend college,” Kimberly said. “Throughout high school, I worked extremely hard. But what got me so serious about wanting to pursue a career in th medical field was Dr. Hamilton's devotion and unconditional passion to help others in need.

“One day, I aspire to be a doctor just like him.”

This is entry #2 of my chronicles of a medical mission. To read entry #3, click here.

Or to start with entry #1, go here.