Our final week was spent busily preparing for the final day giving out DFG kits. This time around we were visiting Miulwe and Nangula (small villages many kilometres away), we were bringing along 14 nursing students from Lewanika School of Nursing and we were giving away 145 of the remaining kits!
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Mbinji and Veronica, two nuns that work at St. Agatha’s church/school, to discuss the possibility of sewing the kits here in Mongu in the future. Having the kits made in country makes this project much more sustainable while giving women here opportunities to work. We were very excited and slightly nervous to meet these women as we were really hoping they would take interest in this project. Luckily, they expressed lots of interest, especially in the teaching component, and ended up joining us on our long and busy final day! They were both very involved in the teaching, were amazing translators and were great assets to the team. We look forward to this continued partnership.
We were also fortunate to meet Mr. Mundia, the incharge nurse at Miulwe health post. This incredible man is the only trained healthcare professional employed at this clinic. He has trained community members to assist him with the heavy workload of over 2000 patients. The clinic runs from 0800 to 1600 yet he is on call 24/7 for emergencies and deliveries. And we complain about 4 days on and 4 days off?! The commitment he has to this clinic and to his community is admirable and inspiring.
Our teaching sessions were enhanced during our final day as the Zambian nursing students provided extra knowledge and expertise. They were also so energetic and engaged the entire day - keeping us motivated by spontaneous dance parties on the bus! These students were such an invaluable addition to our team, we seriously could not have done this 11 hour day without them.
Optimism and positive energy was needed as we encountered challenging questions and discussions on difficult subjects at both schools. Some of the reoccurring and more difficult questions were:
What is HIV?
What is a condom?
Do condoms cause cancer?
What if I say no and the man continues to pressure me to have sex?
What if there are three men?
We were very thankful that the girls felt comfortable to ask these questions as these topics are important to address. Although some questions were much easier to answer than others, we worked with our Zambian colleagues to provide the best answers that we could.
We found it very fitting to not only finish the day but our degree with one last final chant!!!! What a way to end our four years as students. Although many of these sessions were emotional, we had a very difficult time holding back tears during our final goodbyes and thank-you’s at the end of the day. The four of us could not have been happier to work on this project for the last 8 months, and see it through in Western province. Although we came into this project to educate we came out of it learning so much more than we could have expected. We have gained so much from working with these women, and learning just how many factors impact their health here in Zambia.
A HUGE thank you again to everyone back at home who supported us and donated to this project. We can promise you that these kits have already made a big impact in these girls lives!
DFG we love you!!!!
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