My Trip with Nurses For Africa
Donation protected
Greetings! I believe the greatest joy in life is knowing one’s purpose. I can wholeheartedly say that I was born to be a Nurse. The foundation of my journey in healthcare began in Washington, DC nearly a decade ago. I gained a wealth of experience at Children’s National Medical Center and HSC Pediatric Center. I served in a plethora of roles including home health, triage, tele-health, and on call which allowed me to rotate in 6 different pediatric clinics and mobile health vans throughout the city. The variety of illnesses I encountered (HIV/AIDS, developmental delay, and technological dependence) was as vast as the patient populations I served (Immigrant, homeless, and children in foster care).
Since relocating to New Orleans, I have been fortunate enough to continue providing comprehensive care to under served populations as a Community Health Nurse with NO AIDS Task Force. My love for nursing however, continues to expand far beyond the walls of the clinic. Teaching sex ed to high school students, supporting women during childbirth and volunteering at community health events are just the tip of the iceberg of what I have to offer our world.
My purpose has been my passport to grow, travel and learn as a woman and as a professional. Now, my purpose has transformed one of my biggest dreams into reality – traveling to Africa. On December 31st 2014, I received my acceptance letter from “Nurses for Africa” to join a team of 10-12 nurses on a healthcare mission in September of this year.
We will be traveling to Zambia and serving the villages of Malikota and Miswa (they are about 1.5 hours from the city of Kabwe). Providing home care visits, teaching hygiene to school age children and giving therapeutic massage to elders are a few of our assigned tasks. Nurses for Africa has partnered with established facilities maintained by local villagers. Therefore, our contributions are being poured into staples of the community which continue to serve the people long after our departure.
While my heart is rejoicing because of the experience I will gain serving others overseas, my eyes are filled with tears of joy as an African American woman living in the Diaspora who has yet to visit the Motherland. The great educator Mary McLeod Bethune said “For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart.” My skills and presence are merely my heart’s humble offerings. I truly believe I will receive more from the people of Malikota and Miswa than they will gain from me.
If you are able to provide financial support for my mission I would truly appreciate it. No amount is too miniscule. Funds will be used to cover expenses such as my travel (abroad and transit to and from the villages), lodging, vaccinations, emergency insurance, and shipping and handling of specific donated items each nurse is being asked to bring during our mission. Even if you can not offer monetary support, your positive energy and prayers are just as valuable and appreciated!
If you want to learn more about the origin and work of Nurses for Africa please click the link below to watch their 20 minute documentary. I sincerely thank you for your time and consideration.
http://www.nursesforafrica.net/multimedia-archive/nurses-for-africa-documentary/
Since relocating to New Orleans, I have been fortunate enough to continue providing comprehensive care to under served populations as a Community Health Nurse with NO AIDS Task Force. My love for nursing however, continues to expand far beyond the walls of the clinic. Teaching sex ed to high school students, supporting women during childbirth and volunteering at community health events are just the tip of the iceberg of what I have to offer our world.
My purpose has been my passport to grow, travel and learn as a woman and as a professional. Now, my purpose has transformed one of my biggest dreams into reality – traveling to Africa. On December 31st 2014, I received my acceptance letter from “Nurses for Africa” to join a team of 10-12 nurses on a healthcare mission in September of this year.
We will be traveling to Zambia and serving the villages of Malikota and Miswa (they are about 1.5 hours from the city of Kabwe). Providing home care visits, teaching hygiene to school age children and giving therapeutic massage to elders are a few of our assigned tasks. Nurses for Africa has partnered with established facilities maintained by local villagers. Therefore, our contributions are being poured into staples of the community which continue to serve the people long after our departure.
While my heart is rejoicing because of the experience I will gain serving others overseas, my eyes are filled with tears of joy as an African American woman living in the Diaspora who has yet to visit the Motherland. The great educator Mary McLeod Bethune said “For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart.” My skills and presence are merely my heart’s humble offerings. I truly believe I will receive more from the people of Malikota and Miswa than they will gain from me.
If you are able to provide financial support for my mission I would truly appreciate it. No amount is too miniscule. Funds will be used to cover expenses such as my travel (abroad and transit to and from the villages), lodging, vaccinations, emergency insurance, and shipping and handling of specific donated items each nurse is being asked to bring during our mission. Even if you can not offer monetary support, your positive energy and prayers are just as valuable and appreciated!
If you want to learn more about the origin and work of Nurses for Africa please click the link below to watch their 20 minute documentary. I sincerely thank you for your time and consideration.
http://www.nursesforafrica.net/multimedia-archive/nurses-for-africa-documentary/
Organizer
Jamilla Webb
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
