Hi friends! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ava First, and I am a junior at the University of Alabama. I am currently in my second semester of upper division at the Capstone College of Nursing. Recently, I was granted the opportunity to study abroad for 10 days this summer in Livingstone, Zambia, in Africa. The trip serves as a medical mission trip where fellow students and I will be holding pop-up clinics in three rural villages, providing medical care to people from all around. We will be bringing over medicine from the United States to be able to provide proper care. 

The reason I decided to go on this trip is that it truly encapsulates my “why” for the career of nursing. Nursing is unlike other careers, as nurses hold the precious gift of others' lives in their hands. They advocate for their patients when things don’t seem right, and have a passion for taking care of others. I always knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare career, and God called me to nursing. Thus far as a nursing student at Alabama, my love for this career has only grown. I've always felt there was a small piece of me that was missing because how could I go into a career like this without helping populations of people who needed it most? Nursing has always been special to me because I always feel closer to God when I am learning to heal and take care of His people. He has called me to go and take care of His people in Africa. This is an opportunity I will not take for granted, and I can’t wait for all of the incredible humans whose lives I hope can improve from this trip.

“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

Galatians 6:10 

If you would be willing to help me reach my goal to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it would mean the world to me. I have attached my GoFundMe link here as well as in my Instagram bio. 

Thank you all so much!

Ava