After spending a few days teaching in the First Thousand Days program, the Cumberland nursing students are now learning about the different areas of medical care in Haiti. They visit a milk clinic, a pharmacy, and a general clinic where they meet four inspiring medical personnel. Keep reading to see their journey.

Click here to read the team’s previous blog.

 

As we reflect on our time spent in Haiti, we are grateful to Many Hands for planning opportunities for us to meet inspiring individuals who are also on their own personal nursing journeys. Ms. Lerosane was the first interaction we had with a Haitian nurse. She is not just a nurse but is also a leader in the community, an advocate for women and children, and a vital part of the Many Hands organization. Through our interactions with Ms. Lerosane, we have gained a greater appreciation for community nursing and the impact it can have on the community. Even though there was a language barrier, Ms. Lerosane, an expert nurse, took the time to teach us novice nurses about performing well-child visits, providing nutrition to the failure-to-thrive babies, and providing education to the moms of Haiti. One of her most admirable qualities is her passion about educating the women within her community. She is empowering them to lead their families while also inspiring the younger generation of future nurses.

Mèt Serum is another experienced nurse we met along our journey in Haiti that exudes passion for community health nursing. Mèt Serum practices as the CSUCCC campus clinic near the local university. When Mèt Serum learned that we were also nurses, the connection was immediate. He was proud to educate us on how the clinic provides care for its community members through various services.

While out with Many Hands, we had the chance to stop at a pharmacy where we encountered a recently graduated nursing student. This novice nurse explained to us her journey of becoming a nurse in Haiti, and we were able to see that it parallels with our journey as student nurses in the United States. She expressed that nursing school is difficult, but if it is your passion, it will be worth it. She was excited to honor her family with her job as a nurse.

During our visit to the Campbell’s milk clinic to pass out Meals from the Heartland packets with Many Hands, we met a young high school student, Lina, who is aspiring to become a nurse. Having the opportunity to engage with Lina about her hopes for joining the nursing profession was inspiring. Lina has grown up helping her family at their milk clinic, performing well baby checks and advocating for her community.

Through the help of God and Many Hands, lives are being transformed daily in both Haiti and the United States. Aspiring young Haitians are able to have interactions with passionate, caring and mature professionals throughout their community while having access to education, making their dreams a reality. We, as young American nurses, were provided opportunities to work alongside inspiring nurses that will impact our practice in the United States for a lifetime by keeping the idea of community close to heart and igniting our passion to fulfill our dreams of nursing.