Student Reflections
2012
- Abraham Muchoki
- Amanda French
- Amos Wanyeki
- Alyssa Kimball
- Annya Volkova
- Catriona Grant
- David Gitahi
- Darren Golden
- Dennis Simiyu
- Edward Kinyua
- Elena Namelok Kilitia
- Elyse Wood
- Gina Auguste
- Griffin Kio
- Jaime Halliday
- Janet Mwakodi
- Jessica Demita
- Joy Naliaka China
- Maureen Elizabeth Walsh
- Molly Ochar
- Monica Crowley
- Nadine Amato
- Primrose Kamze
- Sarah Muoria
- Shannon Sayer
- Simon Gatwe
- Sofie Suter
- Wilkinson Seguton
Student Reflections (2012)
Abraham Muchoki
The project has helped me to interact with student nurses from other institutions including UMASS, Kijabe, Nairobi University and Tumutumu School of nursing as well. Hence I have been able to know what they do as student nurses. It has enabled me to put more effort in finding out more about cardiovascular diseases in the books and the internet. It has also enabled me to know that many people in our community are suffering from these conditions and they are out of control due to financial problems. The whole project was good since we were able to reach the affected people in their homes areas and provide them with medication and health messages about the cardiovascular disorders and diabetes.
Amanda French
Writing a reflection on my experience in Kenya has been a very difficult thing to do. How can I possibly summarize the entire experience and my impressions in just a few short sentences? What struck me the most initially was how much we have in common with our Kenyan counterparts. I was expecting the delivery of health care and the skills the nursing students had to be widely varied. However, it was very surprising to see how much of our training is similar. While there was some slight variation, it was comforting to know that what we are learning to do is universally accepted as best practice. This similarity in approach really helped me put the idea of global health into a context that was much more tangible than it had ever been before. It made me realize how small the world is, and although we were so far from home, people are still people. We all have so much in common and are interested in the same goals despite our differences in background. This trip also really impressed upon me the importance of continued research. While we have learned so much about cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and come such a long way in treating them, there is still much to know.
This experience showed me that while we may be able to treat a disease, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we understand the etiology or the nature of the disease process itself. This also made it difficult at times to advise our patients as to how they could prevent a disease when they were not presenting with the “classic” risk factors we’re used to seeing. I had previously regarded research as something that wasn’t that important in the world of nursing. However, after seeing how much we still have to learn about these diseases, I am very interested in being involved in research in the future.
The Kenya Heart and Sole project also helped me put a face to health care disparities. It was so humbling to see people who are so poor they cannot afford to go to a local clinic come out to our screenings, wait in line for hours, and then thank us afterwards. It was amazing to me to see people who had so little smile, laugh and be so appreciative of what we were trying to do. It was so humbling to see their ability to survive and still project so much happiness despite having these conditions and (many of them) living in daily pain. Their strength was truly inspiring. I have been sure for many years that I want to work to relieve health disparities around the world, and this trip provided me with the opportunity to test that theory. I loved every minute of the screenings, every person I met, and am so grateful to have had the chance to share this experience with so many wonderful and dedicated people.
Amos Wanyeki
It was great making friends in and across the Diaspora; it was a learning adventure, and, a "a life saving" adventure. It was an activity that exposed me to a part of reality that wasn’t in me, a reality that our communities were 'calm pools' that covered all sorts of problems deceiving onlookers to be very clear. It posed a challenge to me; how all you guys sacrificed to transform Kenya to a healthy place. THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!!
Alyssa Kimball
The most challenging (and the most rewarding) aspect of my experience in Kenya was the opportunity to practice health care on such an urgent and personal level. As health care has become increasingly specialized and technologized in the United States, I think it is easy for all health care workers, but especially nurses, to lose sense of the gravity of the work that they are doing. When there is oftentimes so much bureaucracy to be addressed between making a nursing judgment and acting according to that judgment, a nurse might lose, along with autonomy, a sense of responsibility and therefore a sense of personal satisfaction or accomplishment. In the “front lines” atmosphere of our screening operation there was no doubting (or hiding from) the necessity and the implications of our judgment (such as whether or not to refer a patient for further workup.)
Before travelling to Kenya, we were told that nurses there tend to have a far greater scope of practice than do staff nurses in the United States, primarily because there are so few doctors. I was impressed not only by the Kenyan students’ nursing skills but also by their knowledge of pathology and pharmacology. I was humbled and reminded that with all the resources at our disposal here in the US we are perhaps not taking full advantage of them. Although there are certainly disadvantages as well as advantages to having the doctor as less of a presence in most health care settings, there is no doubt that nurses with such autonomy must practice according to a higher standard. In Kenya, I got a taste of that responsibility, and that satisfaction.
Finally, I was blown away by the enthusiasm and the gratitude with which we were received by the Kenyan people. In the underserved and under-resourced populations we screened, most people will not spend precious time and money on visiting a clinic unless prompted by chronic pain or incapable of the physical activity (such as farming) undertaken to survive. Nevertheless even those who arrived with acute complaints were mostly receptive to and appreciative of our screening and council regarding cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and the lifestyle habits recommended to help prevent them. I think the next step for this program would be to incorporate some sort of follow-up with individuals to see if they made any lasting lifestyle changes: I would love to know if our council has any motivating effect whatsoever and what obstacles might discourage the motivated individual from following through with changes.
Annya Volkova
Travelling to Kenya with the Kenya Heart and Sole trip was an unforgettable experience that I am beyond thankful for. It was fulfilling not only on a professional level as I had expected, but on a personal one as well. Throughout the five clinics, we helped a large amount and a wide range of people. The team provided general care such as cleaning wounds, as well as specific care for patients with diabetes. The people we helped were extremely thankful for the care they received and it was touching to see the gratitude expressed on their faces.
I think that one of our greatest accomplishments, though, is not a tangible one. It is the education that we provided to every person that came to our clinics. The base knowledge on topics such as what a healthy diet looks like, what is blood sugar, and how smoking can affect blood pressure. Many people were surprised to learn things that may appear to be common sense to a lot of Americans, simply because the US government addresses these health concerns. I believe that the education we provided will spread among the Kenyan people and that with each returning trip we will encounter a population that is more knowledgeable in their cardiovascular health.
On a personal level, the trip was fulfilling in a way that I had not imagined possible. I bonded and related to our Kenyan student partners despite the fact that we have grown up living half a world apart. I also developed a sort of affection for the Kenyan people that we saw throughout our clinics and various other trips. I did not expect them to be as hospitable, grateful, and welcoming as they were. They provided a level of comfort that in turn, allowed us to provide better care to the people that we served.
As with everything else in life, however, the KHAS trips always have room for improvement. Even though we saw a great amount of people, it felt terrible to have to turn others away simply because we were not able to accommodate them due to time. Also, it was sometimes frustrating to not be able to talk to some of the patients directly due to the language barrier. Yet this is an inevitable obstacle when working with global health and I think that through the use of Kenyan student partners we have found a great way of dealing with it.
Overall, this trip was amazing and I wish that more people were able to experience it. It is through this and other initiatives that we become a closer world health community and help narrow the gap that currently exists between the health states of different populations.
Catriona Grant
To pinpoint just one profound learning experience from my time spent in Kenya is simply impossible. During my two amazing weeks in Africa, nearly every moment offered an opportunity for growth and learning. Moments of enlightenment presented themselves in a number of places. However, the most valuable knowledge was gained through three major experiences: the Kenyan partnerships, the seven different clinics, and the primary school visits.
Through our collaboration with the Kenyan nursing schools we were able to develop an instant sense of teamwork and friendship. This collaboration challenged individuals with different beliefs and ideas to work together as a team in order to accomplish a common goal. Having a Kenyan counterpart provided the opportunity to discuss each patient’s symptoms and brainstorm possible problems and solutions with each other, much like any nurse would do with his or her colleagues on a busy hospital unit. Furthermore, these partnerships gave us American students an insight into the curriculums of the various Kenyan nursing schools. We were able to note similarities and differences as well as the positive and negative aspects of both sides. Lastly, our partnership with the Kenyan students gave us a chance to learn about each other’s culture on a personal level.
The clinic experience offered a completely different wealth of wisdom. Working at each of the seven clinics strengthened my sense of autonomy, challenged me to develop my prioritization skills, and improved my ability to quickly adapt to a variety of settings and populations. Over the course of two weeks I was exposed to a wide variety of health conditions but more importantly I met a wide variety of people. People who suffer with pain and exhaustion on a daily basis but still find the strength to smile. People like Ian, the 14 year old boy who wanted answers about his frequent fainting spells and who dreamed of one day being an astronomer. People like John, battling not only HIV but also stomach cancer and unable to afford any type of treatment. These people taught me the true meaning of resilience and also reminded me why I want to become a nurse.
Finally, the primary school visits provided an enlightening insight into the Kenyan school system. I will always remember the genuine warm welcome that our group received. I was then, and still am so impressed by the respectfulness, curiosity, talent, and intelligence displayed by the children. The genuine enthusiasm that these children demonstrated for learning was truly inspiring.
I believe it goes without saying that Kenya Heart & Sole 2012 is an experience that I will remember forever. I came into the trip with an open mind and came out with new friendships, an understanding of a different culture, a refreshed enthusiasm for my future career as a nurse, and an abundance of memories that will last me a lifetime.
David Gitahi
As a student initially i felt much inferior working with new people and people who I had no idea how they did their things but it was just a matter of time that i realized they were friendly, kind and cooperative to the maximum. I was changed from the first day of my participation in the activity till the last moment that we were together as heart and sole group. I learnt the importance of working together as a group to deliver service to our clients. I realized how important it is to consult on anything that you don't know. The activity also helped me socialize with different people who perceives life in a different mode unlike I do. Nevertheless i had some difficulties socializing with as many friends as I had in mind but all in all our goal of successfully screening the community was well met, I missed some inspiration session for us as a group and next time i would welcome that. Thanks for all those who participated to make the activity lively and a success.
Darren Golden
This year’s trip to Africa as part of Kenya Heart and Sole was an extremely exhilarating experience. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous and the people were very welcoming and friendly. We were regularly greeted by new acquaintances with dancing and singing, large home-cooked meals, two handed handshakes, and hugs. As we passed by with our bus, children would chase after us waving and shouting. Eye contact with complete strangers almost always prompted a smile and a wave. During this trip it was very easy to make new friends.
Among the people I have met on this trip, I particularly enjoyed getting to know my Kenyan screening partners, Joy, Joan and Nicholas. They were all easy going and fun to work. As nearly all of the patients we had screened spoke only a little English, the participation of the Kenyan students was vital. As a matter of fact, pretty much all of the interviewing and patient education was carried out by my partners. We worked together to determine what additional assessments needed to be made, however my primary job was to handle physical tasks such as taking blood pressures, glucose levels, listening to lungs, taking the patients’ pulse, etc. We found that dividing up the work this way made the screening process much more efficient. Despite having a Swahili interpreter, there were some occasions where the patient did not even speak Swahili. At one screening site in particular, most of the patients spoke only Kikuyu, one out of the many languages spoken by the various tribes in the country. Thankfully, a handful of the students were able to translate, but it must have been very exhausting for them as they had to rush from one table to the next in order to keep up with the flow.
Keeping up the pace was a big challenge. After completing the blood pressures, glucose levels, etc., the back of our worksheet consisted of numerous interview questions which took a fair bit of time to complete. During our very first screening, the flow was slow enough that we ended up working until late in the evening. By the end we were very tired. Even worse, the patients who were seen toward the end of the screening had to walk home in the dark. In order to speed things up, a separate team was created to handle the interview questions before sending them off to us. This helped a lot.
Overall, I think this trip was a great success. The people selected to be part of our team were great to work and travel with. Despite being sleep deprived and constantly on the move, we kept a positive attitude and plowed through it. Even before traveling to Kenya, everyone worked hard to fundraise and make preparations for the trip. Some things could be fine tuned such as the approach to the packing party, but only in minor ways. Also, I am not sure if it is possible to start screening sooner after we arrive in Kenya in order to spread those days out a little. It felt as though they were lumped together toward the end and which was pretty exhausting. After looking at the itinerary though, the scheduling might be a little tricky.
With regard to the screenings, an observation I made has to do with the implications on patients who do not have the means to maintain a needed treatment after we leave. Some of the patients I came across were poor farmers who could not even afford to maintain a nutritious diet, let alone medications and follow up visits. Several of these people had no idea that they were hypertensive or had a heart dysrhythmia until after we saw them. Without the means to deal with their health problems, I wonder if adding stress to their lives with the knowledge of a life-threatening disease is a disservice. I understand that when the patients leave us they are given a supply of medications as well as a prescription for future refills. The clinic also has a copy of the patient information we gather to reference for future checkups. However, I assume that medication refills and future visits are not free and therefore doubt such patients are likely to adhere to treatment. Despite these perceived short term implications of the screenings, research projects such as Kenya Heart and Sole are vital in order to make meaningful changes to national health care policy. As we work toward our long term goals we should be mindful of the short term implications for the patients we treat and fine tune it when we can.
Dennis Simiyu
We appreciated having working the UMass Boston team. The feeling was just amazing. We felt it was the right way to give it back to the community. It was incredible to learn that simple health information and the screening can have such a great impact to the community in term of their lifestyles and health seeking behavior. Working with Margret, the pain specialist, equipped me with important clinical skills. I realized that diagnosing pain can be a simpler and objective exercise. Overall, my feeling is that though we did much together, you have left us with a challenge to think of what we can do to keep the project growing and moving to the next level i.e. much more than the periodic screening. I feel it’s not just enough to visit the community, do the screening and leave; we can add value to it by doing a follow up and make the programme be acknowledged by the relevant health policy makers in this country.
Edward Kinyua
As a student my own perspective was greatly changed. During community screening, I learnt that my participation in data gathering and offering health services made me a key team member not to exclude other health care professionals and stakeholders who also contribute immensely in policy making. After Transnational partnering with the US team through exchange and sharing of ideas about various issues about life and nursing as a career, I now view myself as having much potential to assume nursing roles in leadership and health promotion, this will make me fit well in Kenya health system as well as in Global health system.
Inspiring sessions from my fellow students, faculty and the clinician groups transformed my nursing practice and life in a big way. More exposure in data collection and tracking of the progress is still needed. More knowledge about health system and policy making in Kenya also is still needed.
Elena Namelok Kilitia
I was personally empowered to up grade my studies, I learnt that nursing is so diverse and there are a lot of areas to specialize in. Also I had a chance to learn from others through interaction & compare the role of a nurse in different settings. The experience made me interested in research on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders affecting people in Kenya. I learnt that as a nurse one has to be role model.
Elyse Wood
Going to Africa was a trip I knew I would make in my lifetime. It was a trip I planned every summer since I graduated high school, and every summer something came up that quickly put an end to my plans. So when I got the opportunity to go to Kenya I felt more grateful and excited than I could have imagined.
This only propelled once we finally touched down in Kenya. It was a very surreal feeling thinking that I was in a place I had wanted to visit for years. It was even more surreal once we started preparing and completing clinics. I was floored at how grateful the clinic/hospital staff and patients were. I felt so lucky to be with them and to teach them about diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and yet here they were thankful for me! It was a thought that seems obvious but I’m, to this day, stiff baffled by their gratefulness.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Kenyan students. The trips to the various hospitals were shocking but one of my favorite aspects of the trip. The students gave us a tour of different floors, and to say there is a drastic difference between the hospital conditions in Kenya VS. America is a massive understatement. It made me feel very lucky to not only work in the Boston hospitals, but it was also inspiring and humbling that none of the students or staff complained. It surely made me more grateful for the things we have in our home hospitals.
Overall, the trip was amazing. All my friends and family said it would be a life changing experience and I believe they were right. I learned how to adapt to a clinic in the pews of a church, or a clinic in the pouring rain. I made new American friends and new Kenyan friends. I learned how to be a better nurse when it comes to communicating with a different demographic. Mostly, I have learned that I have a passion for global health and can’t wait to continue with Kenya Heart and Sole.
Gina Auguste
I had no idea what to expect when I received the “Jambo” (Kiswahili word for hello) email welcoming me as part of Kenya Heart Sole 2012. I knew I was ecstatic and anxious to be apart of something that was bigger than myself. It was a chance to make a difference. Stepping off the plane my first night in Nairobi, I was overcome by so many different emotions, everything from anxiety to zeal. I was ready to tackle what the next thirteen days would bring. However, I don’t think I had prepared myself for the profound effect KHAS would have on me.
An experience that stands out in my mind was visiting the first hospital, Kenyatta Hospital. I was in awe of the stark contrast between Kenyatta Hospital and what I have been used to seeing in the States. The ratio of patients to nurses was overwhelming. Each nurse was responsible for about 60 patients. The hospital was so overly crowded some patients were two to a bed. In the pediatric wing there were two sometimes even three to a crib. With that said, the system the doctors and nurses employed was incredible, they worked with the equipment and supplies they had and made do. Though it was different to me, it worked. That was the theme that resonated throughout the trip. The theme of differences, both making a difference and coming together with different walks of life, is where KHAS drew its strength.
The people I have met and bonded with on this trip, and the patients I’ve come across (and I would like to think helped in some way), will always have an impact on me as I venture into my nursing career. The memories, from our arrival to the clinics, to safari, to pairing with our Kenyan partners are still fresh thoughts and have been deeply imprinted in my mind. The nursing assessment skills I have gained from this trip are incomparable to anything I would learn in lecture. I am very thankful and feel extremely blessed to have had such an incredible nursing experience with Kenya Heart and Sole.
Griffin Kio
This year, my involvement in the Kenya Heart and Sole activities taught me that we can bring change to our area of influence without having to wait for a big crowd to join us. In my opinion, every thing starts from micro to macro. So, it is prudent to learn more, be best in the area of your competence to improve service delivery and always aim ahead.
Jaime Halliday
Traveling with the Kenya Heart and Sole group was a wonderful way to experience my first trip to Africa. Having never traveled to the continent before, I had no idea what to expect regarding the culture of the communities, medical practice in various healthcare settings, the specific needs of patients I would be catering to and how I would manage to help them. I wondered what kind of food and shelter would be keeping me nourished and healthy throughout the trip. Even with all of these uncertainties, I have to say that my stay in Nairobi and the surrounding towns not only felt comfortable and inviting but purposeful. As we were introduced to the villages and hospitals, there was a sense of warmth and welcome that made me want to learn more.
Our partners were so eager to share their experience and hear about ours. I believe the dedication of the students we were paired with and our efforts to travel such distance to improve global health brought out the best in each other. Working with our partners at the clinics was enjoyable and such a learning experience, and I was so pleased to be a part of such successful teamwork. Our one common goal; to improve worldwide health habits and access to healthcare; is attainable because of the connections we have made. Back in Boston, having had some time to reflect on my personal experience, I realize I don’t feel like I have completely left because of the connections I have made and the friendships I have brought back with me. This trip has really shown me what an important role nurses play in healthcare throughout the world.
Janet Mwakodi
The experience was an awesome one, I managed to go to Kigumo and Ongatta Rongai and I was amazed by the turn out of the community members. I realized that most of the community members wait for such opportunities for them to be checked up for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and cardiac diseases since they are free of charge. This is a challenge which perhaps we can solve with the help of the health care providers within the locality and even students from various schools, colleges and universities, not forgetting the various organizations and the Ministry of Health itself.
In kigumo I realized that most of the community members suffered arthritis and undetected hypertension. Ongatta Rongai was a little bit different since the number of patients that we screened was less. Mercy, God bless her she played a big role organizing the home visits, lunch, transport and everything else.Our partners were so eager to share their experience and hear about ours. I believe the dedication of the students we were paired with and our efforts to travel such distance to improve global health brought out the best in each other. Working with our partners at the clinics was enjoyable and such a learning experience, and I was so pleased to be a part of such successful teamwork. Our one common goal; to improve worldwide health habits and access to healthcare; is attainable because of the connections we have made. Back in Boston, having had some time to reflect on my personal experience, I realize I don’t feel like I have completely left because of the connections I have made and the friendships I have brought back with me. This trip has really shown me what an important role nurses play in healthcare throughout the world.
Jessica Demita
Returning for a second year I was unsure if the trip could provide me with the same emotions and experiences of my first trip to Kenya. I was pleasantly surprised that not only was I presented with another amazing opportunity, but it surpassed any expectation that I could have hoped for. Going to Kenya this year, I had a better idea of what to expect and what would be expected of me, which allowed me to emerge myself into the experience and truly value my interactions with our Kenyan partners and communities.
Our partnership with the Kenyan nursing faculty and students provides a unique opportunity to learn and share our different perspectives, methods of doing things, and overall culture of healthcare. I believe through viewing the world from a different standpoint, it allows you to create a better form of yourself and your environment. You no longer are trapped in your own mindset based solely on your personal biases; you have a new outlook created by a profound interaction with a community different from your own. This interaction, this connection between the US and Kenyan teams is what allows us to continue our work and perpetuate our mission.
Joy Naliaka China
This project has taught me the importance of service to my community and giving back to the needy. I have learnt to appreciate the importance of community participation and the personal satisfaction it brings to me. Teamwork is a key to proper and effective workforce and self-service is really rewarding. I have been challenged to participate in community and research development for personal as well as community growth. I have learnt to live by an example as change begins with me.
Maureen Elizabeth Walsh
Touching ground to the tarmac of Nairobi I began an adrenaline filled anticipation of what the next few weeks would bring. My desire was to be culturally competent, respectful and hard working.
Kenyan landscape ranged from beautiful green lush hills and mountains and brown red dirt to crowds of people walking and cars steering in all directions at high speed. People of Nairobi were hospitable, warm, happy and beautiful. They had voices that could carry many a tune. They are connected and committed to their individual communities and their church.
I have learned increased patience and negotiating skills. The universal truths that life offers us a continual learning of culture, and that we must meet all patients where they are, rather than force rules and regulations were continually reinforced. I also learned that American and Kenyan clinicians embodied the values of hard work and dedication to care.
To impact change in Kenyan culture, you must become partners with caregivers who trust each other and are able to share knowledge. This enables a discussion of negotiation in best practices for the individual people of each community. Many of my Kenyan partners shared their realization that patients’ knowledge deficits had gone unrecognized, and that education was a large component needing further attention. Partnering with Kenyan clinicians allowed us to connect and teach these individual communities cardiovascular prevention and care.
KHAS was an unforgettable experience that I continue to treasure. My love of culture and medical missions was strengthened, and a new love of Kenyan people and country founded. I feel blessed and humbled to have been accepted by the Kenyan communities as a clinician and a teacher of preventative cardiovascular care and best practices of health. I will treasure my new friendships, and look forward to future endeavors in Kenya.
Molly Ochar
Young people who live on less than one dollar or 1000 Kenyan shillings often die from treatable non communicable diseases like cervical and breast cancer, lymphomas, cardiomyopathies, Rheumatoid heart disease, obstructive lung disease, epilepsy and insulin dependent diabetes.
Afya Njema Project provided an effective community-based intervention by extending the reach of clinics into the community targeting high risk vulnerable patients with multi-chronic diseases and the at risk population. In Kigumo, Kambui and Ongata Rongai areas many patients had Hypertension, Diabetes, Prostate & cervical cancer, Urinary tract infections, Lymphomas, Goiter, Athletes foot disease, Epigastric ulcers, HIV& AIDS, Typhoid, malaria, Cold& Flu and finally psychiatric illnesses like depression.
The paired partners visited classrooms at Kigumo primary school and the pupils were educated using a well illustrated food pie chart on living healthy by eating a well balanced diet in each meal. Visiting Kigumo residents in their homes provided us with an opportunity to assess their living conditions and a personal interaction with our hosts.
The various medical camps gave a chance to Kenyans of all walks of life to get free screening services, health education and treatment of some conditions which were within our reach but some cases were referred to the nearest district hospitals with competent personnel and dated medical equipment’s.
Debriefing session summed up the Afya Njema Project 2012 whereby Nursing Students from The University of Nairobi, Kijabe Mission School of Nursing, P.C.E.A Tumutumu and University of Massachusetts Boston mingled by holding a small group discussion on benefits of transnational collaboration, leadership in nursing, contributions of nurses in addressing cardiovascular or metabolic diseases problem and integration of treatment of non communicable diseases into primary health care in communities.
The teams worked together to help patients overcome barriers to self management, improve self efficacy and re-engage with the primary care infrastructure with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes and supporting effective health care centers utilization.
Monica Crowley
How do I put into words the appreciation at having had another chance to experience the Kenyan Heart & Sole project in action? It was wonderful to see some familiar faces when arriving at the different schools, and to recognize that they too had a busy year with many demands on them. Yet, the two weeks we all experienced seemed to be a joining of hearts and minds. Everyone put such an effort into making it work. From the home cooked meals, to hearing about the outreach our Kenyan colleagues have been pursuing all year, I felt like I was returning to where we left off, moving forward, with still, much to do.
And the American group too brought so much positive energy this year. Everyone stepped up when one of us was down. It was a super group. Africa is a beautiful place to visit, and I think it forces us to reflect on all that we have, yet much of that is not the material wealth that everyone talks about, but rather, the desire to share knowledge and help people and their communities develop to their greatest potential. That's what it's beginning to feel like here, and how amazing to be part of it.
Just a word of recognition to how much planning effort has to happen before and after the actual trip, and a big thank you to everyone to make this happen!!
Nadine Amato
Participation is this year’s Kenya Heart in Sole Project marked many firsts in my life and I attribute its great success to the strong support I received from family and friends, U. Mass. Boston faculty and students, and the Kenyan counterparts. Never having been outside the United States, I had a clean canvas to create by contrasting many rich colorful Kenyan experiences with its poverty-stricken communities in comparison with my own personal experiences and comfort zones.
Once again, I was reminded to never judge a book by its cover or negate the potential one person has in impacting another person’s life. Before submitting my application to participate in this Project, I had to be convinced that my involvement would benefit the people of Kenya more than myself. During the six-month course of preparing, packing, and interacting with people in the U. S. as well as the Kenyans, it became evident to me that my willingness to participate in this Project would have a profound impact far beyond that of myself.
When I nervously went to Orientation and looked around the room at the newly formed U. Mass. Boston team, I wondered, “What in the world we had in common and how are we ever going to work together?” I also experienced this initial reaction when I was introduced online to my Kenyan partners and interpreters. Initially, from the outside looking in, it appeared to me we were very different in age, dress, culture, background, and interests. However, as time went on and we interacted and depended upon each other, it became obvious to me we were a multi-talented and fully-functional team that was mindfully selected. Collectively, our strengths and weaknesses complemented each other’s well and we pulled together and contributed all we could for the common goals of the Project. As a result, I believe this year’s Project was a huge success in many ways, some of which are obvious to us and others that are unbeknownst to us. I believe as a team we put an end to some situations, witnessed the benefits of others, as well as cultivated and planted seeds that are yet to develop. Actually, I sense much of the true fruits of our labor are yet to be seen.
I am thankful for the wealth of knowledge, experiences, and talents that each person contributed to the Project. As mentioned at Orientation, I am humbled and privileged to have had this opportunity to participate and work alongside each of you. I thank God for the opportunity to participate in this tremendous life-changing event as well as the many friendships I have developed along the way. May God richly bless each and every one of you for your efforts and determination to help others live healthy lives and further their education.
Primrose Kamze
I am happy to be a part of the Heart and Sole Afya Njema project. I have learned a lot in this experience. I got the opportunity to deal with people at the community level and realized that our people in Kenya really need our help and support as health workers. I also got encouraged with the turnout at Kirenga where I was. This is because I realized that people were interested in their health and are willing to change but it is that some do not have knowledge and others are discouraged and this should be a challenge to make us health workers to [arise] and stop meeting with our patients at the hospital when they are already sick, but go to them in their communities and help them prevent their diseases. This means that we really need to do a lot that we are not doing as health workers including myself as a student.
The other positive aspect is the socialization part with our partners from the different schools. It helps us exchange ideas of our schools and learning and share ideas, which is so enjoyable to me personally.
The thing that was not positive about this experience is the one day for screening. I feel we are not covering a bigger population. I think a 3-day camp or so would do if it is possible.
Sarah Muoria
I think I have enjoyed my experience during the screening. I identified my gaps in knowledge on non-communicable diseases however I also appreciate the level of knowledge I have attained so far. Much further I have noticed the great role I have as a student to a healthier community and hence a healthier nation, which will tremendously affect my country’s economy.
I have also identified small initiatives that we can employ in our institution that will go a long way in improving the health of communities. My feeling towards this project is that I want to be part of it. I want to do my part by searching for more information and establishing systems where other students will also be actively involved in gaining and dispensing knowledge to the community. Thank you for making me realize this ability.
Shannon Sayer
Things I loved about KHAS 2012: Our Kenyan hosts! Their generosity and professionalism made me feel comfortable and confident in working together. The Kenyan students are also are very skilled in physical examination and I like the equal numbers of gender compared to the female-heavy U.S. profession. It’s wonderful to have direct access to high-level health officials (thanks Mercy!). The community immersion and hospital visits are also superb for giving students insight into the patients’ lives. We honed our clinical, teamwork and leadership skills from constant work in the clinics. And of course, the friendships we formed within the team and with the Kenyan students will last for many years to come.
Things I didn’t love about KHAS 2012: Our communication. As a student leader I often heard conflicting messages from higher ups regarding referrals, protocols and schedule. Similarly, announcements from the top didn’t filter through to the team consistently and that left teammates confused and irritated. In the heat of the moment we on the US team make snap judgements about each other and can be rude to each other. Some of this is a given due to the stress of the situation. But some of the problem can be addressed ahead of time, like defining our policy on referral guidelines for students, number of pts we will accept in a day, how late we will work and how we will handle children and teens. We need to go humbly, because everyone intends well and mean no harm. But it will be more effective and safer if we can make some of these decisions ahead of time and communicate them to the students. When I look back at my experiences in Kenya Heart and Sole I am grateful for the opportunity to make such wonderful friends and grow in my clinical skills. It’s a privilege to be a member of the team.
Simon Gatwe
I think I have enjoyed my experience during the screening. I identified my gaps in knowledge on non-communicable diseases however I also appreciate the level of knowledge I have attained so far. Much further I have noticed the great role I have as a student to a healthier community and hence a healthier nation, which will tremendously affect my country’s economy.
I have also identified small initiatives that we can employ in our institution that will go a long way in improving the health of communities. My feeling towards this project is that I want to be part of it. I want to do my part by searching for more information and establishing systems where other students will also be actively involved in gaining and dispensing knowledge to the community. Thank you for making me realize this ability.
Being my fourth year since I joined the Kenya heart and sole project, I can witness that for sure I have seen the tremendous growth since the birth of this project. I thank all the stakeholders who came up with such a brilliant idea that has pushed me this far as an individual. I have been exposed to the real community through a very close interaction with the common villagers in our locality. I have also learnt the aspect of teamwork as the bible records that "one can chase a hundred and two will chase ten thousand”. I have witnessed this happen through the impact that has been felt in the community through the Kenyan -Boston team collaboration.
This years experience was one of a kind. Having paired before the real activity was commendable. Having also incorporated the senior government officials during debriefing conference was great. This will really boost our esteem as far as our input is concerned to achieve the vision 2030 in the health sector. The referral system was also good whereby we were able to send the patients charts to the nearby health center for follow-up. Finally I would like to appreciate the heart and sole for introducing me to community health and research thus creating more interest in me. Thanks my partner Jess, thanks Shannon for your devotion. Looking forward to a greater experience next year.
Sofie Suter
I was very excited when I learned that I would to be going to Kenya with the Heart and Sole Project this year! I knew that I would have so many new and enriching experiences. However, I ended up learning more about nursing, Kenya, and myself in two weeks than I thought was possible!
I knew I would be doing height, weight, and waist circumference in the first station: Anthropometrics. I was warned that waist circumference could be difficult to obtain because of a cultural difference which would make it awkward to talk about the bellybutton. I calmed myself by thinking I would have my partner to translate or maybe even cover that aspect of the station, knowing she would speak the language and was a trained nurse.
Well, as it turned out my partners were often needed in other stations where more translation was necessary so I quickly learned the few phrases needed to efficiently ascertain the location of someone’s belly button. More importantly, I realized that connecting with the patient was possible for me even without nursing training or an extensive knowledge of Kiswahili. The patients responded to non-verbal communication, the attempt at a greeting in Kiswahili, attentive care and courtesy. I was reminded that communication and connection lead to increased understanding and collaboration which facilitate the tackling of challenges.
I had to do a lot of showing instead of telling, but a wise fifth-grade teacher showed me that this is a more effective method anyway. Also it was more entertaining on my part to act out standing straight, not sucking in the stomach, stepping on and off of the scale than simply saying it all day long.
I am inspired by the lives and challenges faced by Kenyans, nurses, and Kenyan nurses. In each of the interactions I had over the two weeks we spent in Kenya I learned about connecting with and understanding others as well as myself, and feel very lucky!
Wilkinson Seguton
I would say I was among the lucky few to have been chosen to be part of this year Kenya heart and sole project in Kenya. The experience was an eye opener to me. I had a rare chance of working with different kinds of people within the community.
Beginning from the first day we had a lot to learn. Going to Kigumo to meet the kids and teaching them how to stay healthy was great. We had enough equipment and tools, for example the charts and other teaching aids. I think the children went home with some good lessons. Our second trip to Kigumo was even more interesting despite having arrived there late. The day was busy with many clients to be attended to. I thought we had a lot of work ahead of us. We did what we could and I think we achieved our objectives though we finished a little bit late. The scenario in Kambui was more or less the same as that of Kigumo since people in both places shared common problems and the same geographical area.
Rongai was another place we visited. It was not as busy as the other areas we visited in Kiambu. Furthermore, the clients were more enlightened and could speak more fluent Kiswahili and English. Throughout the screening I learnt a lot about NCDs and the health seeking behavior of our people. I realized that we need to change our health seeking behavior and put more emphasis on health education. Preventive medicine still remains key to conquering the burden of NCDS in third world countries.
I would like to thank the leadership of Kenya heart and sole for their excellent organization from the first day until the last day. We really had a nice time exchanging ideas and socializing with students from UMASS BOSTON and the faculty. I would also like to mention that I enjoyed a good working relationship with my partner Alyssa who I can describe as hardworking knowledgeable and focused.
There were however a few challenges. Firstly, was the issue of language barrier/few translators which hampered communication with the illiterate clients. Secondly, we had a small bus which forced us to squeeze. Lastly, we sometimes failed on time management.
Regardless of the challenges, I think the whole project was a success. For Kenya Heart and Sole, I think the future is bright.
