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University of Florida
Service
Learning.
Service learning removes the student from a classroom of multifaceted learning and places them in an environment where they can immerse themselves in culture and time that is different than their own. Numerous opportunities to analyse classroom knowledge, personal norms and values, and adaption await anyone who travels abroad in hopes of making a difference in the world. For students, I believe service learning improves self-efficacy, challenges the application of ethical principles, and builds a better leader. It also promotes a sense of community that transcends cultural and distance boundaries. This leads to improved societal relationships between organizations, volunteers, and local peoples. This type and level of global communion increases awareness and understanding of what it truly means to serve others, to respect their ideals, and remain humble among our aspirations.
Health Fairs
St.Rose Modern Secondary School
Gouyave, Grenada
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Our first health fair in Grenada was at a school in Saint John. We set up several stations for blood pressure, BMI's, glucose readings, education, arts and crafts for the kids, and breast examination rooms. During this fair, we worked with nursing students from St. Georges University and Nurse Practitioner Students from Boston, alternating stations so everyone had a chance at each skill. The day began a little slow which sparked us to head out to the community and advertise. We set out on foot into the markets, the streets, the stores, homes, and notified a pastor. We told everyone to call their families and friends and let them know we we here for the day and what services were being offered. The women were excited we had breast exam rooms. Soon after we returned, we were busy for the rest of the afternoon. The local ladies made us a delicious feast of chicken, pumpkin, slaw, rice and beans, and plantains. I learned new ways of communication through testing my ability to deliver verbal and written education and material within the health literacy guidelines. I also learned women in Grenada do not view self-breast exams the same as we are taught in the U.S. and it takes extra time to teach this and ensure they know this is a good thing to do and why. I really loved this day!!! I have organized and worked several health fairs, but none thus far with as much inter-professional collaboration and innovation as this one.
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Granby Street Health Fair
Partnered with the Grenada National Patient Kidney Foundation
St. Georges, Grenada
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For this health fair, we worked with the kidney foundation in Grenada to organize an open air fair on the street. The Nurse Practitioner students from Boston and students from St. Georges University came out to help too. Other organizations that set up for the fair included the Sickle Cell Association of Grenada, the Grenada Food and Nutrition Counsel, the Grenada Diabetes Association, Friends of the Mentally Ill: Dare to Care, and the Pink Ribbon Society in Grenada.
During this fair, we offered glucometer readings, blood pressure, BMI's, eye exams, education, breast examinations, arts and crafts, dental education and gave out toothbrushes, registry with the kidney foundation and we had a doctor onsite performing head-to-toe exams as well as the services offered by the other organizations. I spent 2.5 hours performing breast exams in a very hot tent. I was shocked how hot it was in the tents but I stayed hydrated and took breaks. This was very important to me. As a breast cancer survivor, I wanted those women to receive a thorough exam, to learn how to perform self-breast exams, and receive personal and custom education about their risk factors. It is shocking to me so many of the women I spoke with had not had a breast exam in years or had never had a breast exam. I was as compassionate as possible when speaking with them, hoping to increase their awareness and understanding of breast cancer.
After lunch, I moved out of the breast exam tents and began education and blood pressure readings. The fair had such a wonderful turn out. The lines to see the doctor and to receive breast exams meant people were waiting quite a while because so many came and so many were eager to be there and receive care.
Perhaps, the patient who had the greatest impact on me on this day was the man with the papayas. He wanted a blood pressure and glucose reading but did not want to register. He wanted to sell his papayas and he did not want to lose money waiting in line at the fair. The fair was closing and the registration table was being packed up. I took his blood pressure and glucose for him but I did not want to send him away without the chance for follow up so I went and talked to the registration table. I gave him his card to take with him but was able to quickly get him registered so he could get a check up in the future. I will never forget the man with the papayas. He desperately wanted someone to stop being busy and care. He approached me and asked if I could help. I am glad I learned from him to step back sometimes and prioritize my thoughts. We are here for them after all. I believe we have a civic responsibility and ethical commitment to meet people where they are.
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