It has been a crazy week as we count down to departure. We have all been busy packing, tying up loose ends and mentally preparing for this experience. We gathered as a group last Tuesday to pack the supplies that have been gathered and donated for the people in Mozambique. We arrived at Joanne’s, slightly overwhelmed by the seven large boxes of supplies that were full of anything from dressing supplies to school kits to Frisbees. In record time, we were able to pack most of the supplies in and amongst our own belongings. We were all very impressed by our speed and efficiency.
We also continued work on the first aid lessons we have been planning for the community members and health care workers in Manica. We have a basic outline of eight lessons that we will provide over the six weeks. It has been a challenge to do this planning without being in Mozambique and we are eagerly awaiting collaboration with Lynn to tweak (overhaul?) our lesson plans.
Five and a half hours until takeoff...the next post is coming from Moz!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
13 Days 'Til Departure...
Bom dia and welcome! As we six nursing students, along with our clinical facilitator, gear up for our ever-nearing departure on February, 26th, 2008 to rural Mozambique, we wanted to take some time give a brief overview of our trip, and to introduce ourselves. In partnership with SAM Ministries (South African Mission Ministries), the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing is providing a study abroad practicum in a remote rural area of Manica, Mozambique. On site we will participate in primary health care and development initiatives for the local community, including:
- elementary school health education
- community education and support specific to first aid, disease/illness prevention, and health promotion
- assisting local community health workers in the development and implementation of best practices in primary health care
- community visits to homes of those too ill to come to the health post
- orphan home visits
- observation and participation in sustainable agriculture and other health-related economic development initiatives
Our work will center out of two outpost locations, the Mucombeze Sede Community & Health Post and the Mucombeze Interior Community (including Primary School) & Health Post. As well, we will visit both the district hospital in the town of Manica, and the nearest community hospital in Vanduzi to see first-hand the challenges faced by health care workers in developing countries.
Needless to say, our entire team is extremely excited to be a part of such a unique, challenging learning opportunity, and the new experiences that lie ahead. Above all, we look forward to discovering the ways in which we can positively impact the health and wellness of the people we will be working with. Please keep checking this site, as we will do our best to post weekly while overseas.
For further questions, please feel free to contact Joanne at:
Joanne Gartner, RN, BScN, MSc (CH&Ep)
Provincial Clinical Coordinator
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6265
Also, feel free to check out Lynn Lagore's blog at http://lynnlagore.blogspot.com/. Lynn and her husband Dwight are members of the SAMM team and we have the privilege of working with them for the next six weeks. Her blog has been a great resource for our team in preparing us for daily life in rural Mozambique.
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