Our Crowdfunding Groups
The students have taken off for Nicaragua, but before they left, they taped a special message for all of their donors…
The students have sent picture and video updates of their first few days in Nicaragua!
The 2015 Nursing in Nicaragua experience is over, but the memories of the 10 days will remain with us forever. As one student noted in her journal, “There aren’t enough words to describe the past 10 days in Nicaragua. It was an incredibly humbling and life-changing experience.” For another, leaving to return to the US was “bittersweet….I left a huge piece of my heart and soul in the country full of amazing people”.
Most days we worked with six families living in the barrio and conducted health screening clinics for children and older adults. In addition, we spent 3 days in the Centro de Salud public clinic working alongside Nicaraguan nurses and physicians. Health issues needing the most attention included respiratory illnesses, cardiac failure and hypertension, skin disorders, congenital disabilities, diabetes, depression, and other chronic illnesses. Home sanitation and hygiene as well as domestic violence were major concerns. Large families live in crowded conditions. Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, is currently prevalent in the area. A great deal of our health teaching focused on personal and home hygiene, prevention of mosquito infestations and disease control, and health seeking behaviors.
Your donations helped us purchase the following items:
Our work was just the beginning. Nursing students from the Universidad Politecnica de Nicaragua (UPOLI), with whom we worked during our experience, will work with these families as they continue to improve their health.
Our students also enjoyed some recreation as they explored museums, volcanos, lakes, wildlife, markets, and the country of Nicaragua. It was a most productive week and one that we will never forget. Your donations were used well and are incredibly appreciated!
Muchas gracias from all of us!
* please enjoy this montage of photos and videos from the final days of our trip.
A $20 donation will provide basic basket of food for a family of four.
A $25 donation will provide a school uniform and a pair of shoes for one child.
A $75 donation will provide an eye exam and new eyeglasses for one person in need.
A $100 donation will provide labor and materials to replace a roof on a house.
A $200 donation will provide a scholarship for a Nicaraguan nursing student to attend one year of school.
