Josephine’s Story
Josephine, a survivor of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, has turned her experience into a mission to reduce stigma for Ebola patients and survivors.
Josephine now shares her story to train healthcare workers on the importance of empathy and care. Through survivor-led training, she shows doctors how to comfort patients, reduce fear, and foster hope in the fight against Ebola.
After losing her parents to Ebola and enduring her own battle while pregnant, Josephine defied the odds. She was one of nine pregnant women in her treatment unit, and the only one to survive.
I was ashamed. Nobody wanted to come near me, and I couldn’t enter my home. But my boyfriend said, ‘God is in control.’ That kept me going.
— Josephine*, Ebola Survivor and Advocate
*Name changed for privacy
Learn about #ISurvivedEbloa
Rising Impact launched the #ISurvivedEbola campaign to amplify the voices of survivors as trusted community role models.
From Survivor to Advocate: Creating Safe Spaces for Healing
Josephine’s resilience and advocacy have helped shift perceptions about Ebola survivors in Liberia. By sharing her personal story and guiding healthcare workers, she is helping to build trust in communities and empower patients to seek care.
Ebola survivors like Josephine demonstrate the power of lived experiences to create understanding and inspire systemic change. Her work has proven essential in creating pathways for recovery and reducing stigma, ensuring that no one feels isolated during their fight.
