TO THE BUSH WITH A BACKPACK
For the last six years, nursing students at St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Cegep have been able to combine passion for their work with compassion for others by joining the CACHA medical mission to Gabon, Africa.
Every year, seven lucky graduating students have the opportunity to spend their surgical medicine internship transferring and adapting skills gained at school to entirely different circumstances. Under the supervision of their professor and a companion, about 45 interns over six years have come to know this small corner of Africa, familiarizing themselves not only with local health problems, but also with the economic and spiritual nature of the community.
Rotating among various dispensaries, the students gain expertise in data collection, clinical examination, pharmacology, and individual and group education. For some, this experience has opened doors to positions rarely available to new graduates.
|
“For some, this experience has opened doors to positions rarely available to new graduates.”
|
|
The mission team comprises both Canadians and Gabonese in many different roles, working together and learning from each another. Cultural exchanges of all kinds result from living within this community for three weeks: students and community members learn about each other’s traditions and forge lasting friendships.
The students start preparing for the trip in the fall by organizing fundraisers. They also read up on Gabonese culture, health system, and the tropical diseases they are most likely to encounter, which helps them provide the appropriate care while on site.
Then comes the adventure. While every year the stories are different, one thing never changes: the students always leave a bit of themselves with these friendly and welcoming people.
For the supervisers, the best thing about these missions is seeing the wonder in the students’ eyes as they soak in both clinical and personal knowledge.
|
“The educational partnership with CACHA gives the students an unforgettable personal and professional experience, supported by an excellent medical team experienced in humanitarian missions.”
|
|
For the students, the educational partnership with CACHA gives them an unforgettable personal and professional experience, supported by an excellent medical team experienced in humanitarian missions. For these lucky seven, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
By Janik Sauvé from the Comité du stage à l’international in the Département de Soins Infirmiers at St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Cegep.
« Return to eNewsletter
|
