Uganda Summer Mission Trip - Magdalen

Hello!

My name is Magdalen (Maggie) France and I am a new graduate student from Saint Mary’s College with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which I received last month.

At the end of June this summer, I have the blessing to serve the community of Kirinda, Uganda by working in the Kyambogo Holy Cross Health Center, which is founded through the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The care I will provide at the center includes: outpatient care, maternity care, and postnatal care as well as HIV testing and counseling, malaria treatment, vaccinations, and home-based care to the members of the community.

Since I will be staying with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Kyarusozi, Uganda alongside with two other Saint Mary’s nursing students, I will have the opportunity to attend daily Mass, cook, play games, clean, share meals, and pray as a community. Growing in community in Uganda, I will be able to play and even educate the children at the Moreau Nursery and Primary School (located directly next to the clinic) as well as serving the community in Kirinda in any way I am able.

During my time at Saint Mary’s, I quickly discovered the importance of Communion - found in the Eucharist and through those around us. This desire to draw near Christ and His people has been revealed to me as I found myself leading The Garden (praise and worship with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament) and Catholic Nurses’ Association (CNA) on campus. Communion is also one of the core values of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, along with: compassion, faith, and prayer. As a soon to be Pediatric Intensive Care nurse, I have a deep passion for fostering this same Communion as I further learn to care for my patients and their families. I hope to serve as the hands and feet of Christ. By serving the people in Uganda, with the mission of the Sister’s of the Holy Cross, I hope to be further formed as a Catholic woman, future PICU nurse, and daughter of Christ. The people of Uganda will help me discover what it means to fully live in Communion through their culture, increase my leadership and communication skills cross-culturally, and develop nursing skills in a rural and unique environment.

Serving directly out of college with the Sisters of the Holy Cross has been a dream of mine since the moment I came to Saint Mary’s College. My Saint Mary’s nursing education fostered the importance of serving with a beautiful balance of faith, knowledge, and sacrifice as I serve my patients, which are the same values rooted in my Catholic faith. Typically this trip with Saint Mary’s is offered for Junior nursing students, but since Covid has canceled past trips, I have the unique opportunity to still be able to participate directly out of college. God’s plan prevails and I firmly believe I have been called to experience, engage, love, and use my knowledge as a soon to be PICU nurse to live in Communion as I work in the Kyambogo Holy Cross Health Center. Since I have not started working as a nurse yet, I hope to fundraise to help me financially afford the cost as it is a month long trip.

When regarding The Sister’s of the Holy Cross mission and values, their website states, “Compassion moves us to reflect on the signs of the times, discern the needs of God’s people and our world, and respond as we are able.”

If you are in a position to help donate to my Uganda fund and further help me explore and build on my vocation of service as I help build Communion in this world as a soon to be PICU nurse, I would greatly appreciate it! Any prayers and support mean so much to me as I grow as a Catholic woman and future PICU nurse. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to grow and explore. Thank you for your generosity and support as I embark on this new chapter!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time!

Please pray for me and my experience growing in Communion in Africa :)

Webale, (Thank you in Rutooro)

Magdalen (Maggie) France