Kenyan born health worker, Rhoda Korpijärvi who bagged a Master’s Degree in Global Health Care in 2020 says she wants to have an influence on societal matters and that’s the core reasons she ventured into politics. She is a member of the National Coalition Party. The Finnish Municipal Elections 2021 will he held on June 13th, it was originally scheduled to be held 18th April. The last municipal election was held in 2017 and was won by the National Coalition Party with 20.7 percent share of the votes. This year, more candidates from Immigrant backgrounds will be running for the election as first timers. Diaspora Glitz Magazine was able to interview many of the candidates.
1. Please tell us about yourself?
My name is Rhoda Korpijärvi and I am 39 years old. I am a Kenyan and also a Finnish citizen by naturalization. I came to Finland in autumn 2011 to study Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing. I am a registered nurse in Helsinki. I graduated last year with a Master’s Degree in Global Health Care.
2. Why did you decide to pursue a career in politics?
To have an influence on societal matters.
3. What did you see in Kokoomus that made you pitch your tent with the party?
National Coalition Party’s (Kokoomus) current objectives are vital and valuable to the society. Some of the objectives are:
a) Supporting internationalism e.g. making it easier for foreigners who have studied here to continue working here.
b) Improving the working conditions of the social and health care workers especially by increasing the number of trained nurses.
4. What do you cherish most about your community?
I cherish multiculturalism and good public transport.
5. Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in your community, in the short and long term?
Short term priorities:
a) Ensuring that there are more Finnish languages courses for immigrants. As part of integration into the Finnish society, language plays a key role especially in the working life.
b) Ensuring that free outdoor gym and/or other outdoor sport venue is built in my own area. Municipalities are responsible in maintaining sport and physical activity facilities. Therefore, if these venues are readily available for all, then the municipalities will save more in the future. Preventing chronic illnesses is better than cure.
Long term priorities:
a) Improving work opportunities for immigrants by influencing people’s attitudes towards immigrants. This would enable immigrants to have an equal chance with equal work experience when applying for a job positions. In addition to that, it would also be important to adjust the legislation so that it is easier for people outside the European Union (EU) to get a work visa to Finland.
b) Better working conditions for nurses by having adequate number of nurses to be able to provide good care for all the elderly people.
6. What is your perspective on the best ways to collaborate with other levels of government to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for your community?
Introducing problems and issues affecting my community in the municipal council meetings. Through this kind of engagement, we would discuss ways of creating development in my community.
7. For some time now, Kenyans in Finland have not been in the spotlight politically, do you see yourself as the one to change the narrative?
Yes, I see myself changing the narrative. But, I would also like to be seen as a full member of my community not just as a Kenyan.
8. Any message for the voters from the immigrant background?
We need to be politically active in order to improve our status in the Finnish society. Active participation will give us a chance to have an influence on the decisions made in our municipalities.
