THANK YOU for your support of our crowdfunding campaign! We exceeded our goal and raised $3,646 from 55 donors. The notes below from Duquesne University School of Nursing students are just a small sampling of the impact your gift made. Thank you again for making this experience possible!

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Thank you for donating to our Nursing in Nicaragua fund. It was an incredible trip—one of the most unique experiences of my life.

Over the past few years, I have found comfort in the motto, “Leap, and the net will appear.” I was excited to participate in Nursing in Nicaragua, but I was also worried. I was worried that I didn’t know enough Spanish. I was worried that I wasn’t confident enough in certain nursing skills. I was worried about leaving my family. However, I am a firm believer that the best things in life happen when I’m not yet “ready.” “Leap, and the net will appear.”

The “net” first appeared for me when I saw the outpouring of support that you gave us with your donations. I saw the names of members of my family, my friends, my yoga students, my teachers, and all of the people supporting my fellow participants light up our crowdfunding page with words of encouragement. Your kindness and generosity gave me confidence. As a result, Nursing in Nicaragua was a truly meaningful experience.

I leapt, and the net did appear. By the time the trip was complete, all of my initial worries were overcome. I gained confidence in myself as a future nurse, as a yoga teacher, as a Spanish speaker, and most importantly, as a collaborator. Your support made our trip possible, and therefore, made all of those achievements possible. Thank you!

-- Katie Polin

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When I first visited Duquesne as a high school senior, one of the topics highlighted by the staff was the annual nursing trip to Nicaragua. I remember immediately deciding that I was going to get to go on that trip one day, and I am happy to say that three years after first hearing about it, I finally got to live out that dream.

Spending the week in Nicaragua was so amazing that it is difficult to put into words. I learned new health care skills, made lifelong friends despite a language barrier, and was able to spend my spring break doing something purposeful by working with the families in the barrios. It has changed me as a person, and it has changed the way that I will practice as a nurse. I will be forever grateful to the people of Nicaragua for welcoming me into their country, and they will always have a place in my heart.

-- Kimberly Sheridan

We are excited to provide you with this update from Nicaragua!

Our Duquesne University School of Nursing students are collaborating with the nursing school at Universidad Politecnica de Nicaragua (UPOLI) in Managua to provide community health care. The students are all learning so much from each other!

Thank you again for your donation to our crowdfunding campaign. We are at 95% of our goal! Please spread the word of our campaign (www.spirit.duq.edu/nin18) to your Duquesne friends and on social media to help us get to 100%!

THANK YOU for your generous donation to our crowdfunding campaign! With 14 days left in the campaign we are at $2,956 raised from 43 donors - 84% of our goal!

Former faculty member and DUSON Alumni Association board member Leah Cunningham recently hosted us for a traditional Nicaraguan meal before going to Nicaragua over spring break (pictured). Our flight leaves tomorrow at 6:47 a.m.! Your support has made us even more excited to be part of this special Duquesne University experience. We look forward to providing you with updates from our trip.

You can provide additional support to our campaign by asking your network to visit www.spirit.duq.edu/nin18 and make a donation. We are so close to our goal so gifts of any size will make a big impact.

Thank you again!