Photos

Gallery

From a village in the Sahel to deployments across the Pacific — a visual record of my journey.

Highlights

Memorable photos.

KUSI news anchor Jason Austell invited me twice to appear on his San Diego news show! We met when I was his Uber driver! KUSI news anchor Jason Austell invited me twice to appear on his San Diego news show! We met when I was his Uber driver!

Homeland — Houloum, Cameroon

I loved revisiting my village in 2018, right before I went to the USA. My dream is to return as a surgeon and inspire the next generation.

As a little girl, I grew up in Houloum, Cameroon. As a little girl, I grew up in Houloum, Cameroon.
Houloum is a village in the Sahel. Houloum is a village in the Sahel.
Houloum villagers gather around. Houloum villagers gather around.
This is a typical gathering. This is a typical gathering.
Like the little girls around me, I was once a little girl who grew up in these dusty streets. Like the little girls around me, I was once a little girl who grew up in these dusty streets.
Kids touch my hair because they seldom see such hairstyles in my village. Kids touch my hair because they seldom see such hairstyles in my village.
Life in Houloum has changed little over the centuries. Life in Houloum has changed little over the centuries.

United States Navy

HM3 rank. First Pacific deployment aboard the world's largest hospital ship, the USNS Mercy. Second Pacific deployment embedded with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Based at 29 Palms, the world's largest Marine base — previously stationed at Balboa.

Caring for a local patient at National Referral Hospital during Pacific Partnership 2022 — Honiara, Solomon Islands. Caring for a local patient at National Referral Hospital during Pacific Partnership 2022 — Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Corpsman A-school graduation day! Corpsman A-school graduation day!
Corpsmen with a stretcher, ready to haul casualties in the desert. Corpsmen with a stretcher, ready to haul casualties in the desert.
At Hospital Corpsman A-school. At Hospital Corpsman A-school.
Moving out. Moving out.
Weapons training. Weapons training.
Aiming. Aiming.
If you can't shoot well, Marines don't respect you. If you can't shoot well, Marines don't respect you.
Night vision goggles. Night vision goggles.
Cyclops. Cyclops.
Someone stole this helmet when I was deployed on a MEU. Someone stole this helmet when I was deployed on a MEU.
I love working at the world's largest US Marine base — 29 Palms. I love working at the world's largest US Marine base — 29 Palms.
I don't gamble. I don't gamble.
The only female embedded with the Marine infantry in the field. The only female embedded with the Marine infantry in the field.
Toy guns are so light compared to the real thing! Toy guns are so light compared to the real thing!
Long day. Long day.
I love my military family. I love my military family.
I wish I could fly this. I wish I could fly this.
I repelled from this helicopter. I repelled from this helicopter.
The Pacific Ocean with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Pacific Ocean with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Leading Hospital Corpsmen — on ships in the Pacific and at the desert Marine base, 29 Palms. Leading Hospital Corpsmen — on ships in the Pacific and at the desert Marine base, 29 Palms.
On deck with the 31st MEU. Go Navy! Semper Fidelis, Marines! On deck with the 31st MEU. Go Navy! Semper Fidelis, Marines!
Providing medical care. Providing medical care.