Afrospection with Bianca Özcan
An exceptional woman, Bianca Özcan is the Founder & Project Manager of Multiple Sclerosis Namibia, which is an association that supports Namibians living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and also someone who bravely shares what it is like to live with (MS) herself. Here Bianca shares, her learnings and lessons from the past year, her self examination from Africa… her Afrospection.
Looking Back…
Q: How would you describe your 2017?
A: A whirlwind, a year where so many things happened which I never thought I had the courage for.
Q: What was something good that came out of 2017?
A: The community’s involvement to help raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis in Namibia and receiving mercy to live everyday.
Q: What challenged you in 2017 and how did you overcome this challenge?
A: The desire to succeed beyond failures. With my awareness and fundraising projects it is really difficult to get the buy-in of corporate companies , seeing that MS is an unknown disease in Africa. Each time before I can present my proposals, I first had to give an introductory course on what the disease is, before any ideas can be put to the table. This required hard work, but with the desire to inform and educate people of MS, I made it! I overcame this challenge by looking at previously successful presentations for the client, analyzing the feedback they gave on our initial presentation and incorporating all of the team’s ideas into the new deck.”
Q: What was your favourite Art in 2017?
A: To look at my late husband’s art photography during our road trip from “Namibia to Turkey on wheels”.
Q: What was your biggest health and wellness learning of 2017?
A: Don’t panic, always give your body time to recharge!
Q: What was your biggest personal development learning of 2017?
A: The ability to be innovative at short notice, and keeping myself together during stressful times.
As for the Holidays…
Q: What is your favourite food in December?
A: Watermelon
Q: What is your favourite Namibian destination?
A: Epupa Falls
Q: What book should we all be reading?
A: Living, Loving & Learning by Leo F Buscaglia.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration?
A: In the beauty of nature, the innocence of a child and driving alone….
Looking Forward…
Q: What is your mantra for life?
A: Everything happens for a reason.
Q: What is your wish for the world for 2018?
A: For more tolerance amongst countries – economically, politically, socially and peace amongst families.
Q: What is your wish for Namibia for 2018?
A: For all citizens to be members of one club; of which peace, unity, tolerance, love and respect are the pillars.
Q: What is your wellness goal for 2018?
A: To take long walks with my children, lemon water in the morning and more laughter!