Wendy Libowitz tells about her trip to Tanzania

I have always loved to travel and visit other parts of the world.  For years I had dreamed of having the opportunity to do some type of work abroad and fantasized about joining the Peace Corps, but life took me in another direction.  So, when the chance to participate in my first international mission arose in 2008 I took it, albeit with some trepidation.  Having loved that first trip, I sought out other opportunities, which lead me to Missions For Humanity.  Missions for Humanity is a non-profit organization which sends teams to both Honduras and Tanzania annually in the summer to serve some of the world’s poorest communities.  Teams provide medical, dental, and humanitarian aid as well as work with local school children and teachers.  Groups have been traveling to Honduras since 2004 and Tanzania since 2007. In Tanzania, Missions For Humanity operates in conjunction with Caritas Dar Es Salaam, another organization, which essentially serves as Mission For Humanity’s in country hosting organization.

I recently returned from a trip to Tanzania, Africa from July 5 – July 19, 2013.  This was my second mission with Missions For Humanity having previously served in 2011.  This year I was a part of a group of 22 people from the United States – two physicians, one dentist, one dental assistant, two nurse practitioners, two nurses, seven teachers, one college student, and six high school students.  Volunteers from the USA were joined by a large number of Tanzanian staff from Caritas who served as our drivers, guides, interpreters, and coordinators.

This year our work in Tanzania occurred in rural communities typically within a two to three hour driving radius of Dar Es Salaam, a city on the Indian ocean in the more southern part of Tanzania. The care provided in the medical clinic I would describe as that of an acute illness/primary care nature with conditions treated including both acute and chronic illnesses.  Patients ranged in age from newborns to the elderly.  Approximately 1350 people were served in Tanzania in 2013.  All care at the clinics was provided for free.  All of the supplies and medications used at the clinic were brought to Africa from the United States, which amounted to over 50 pieces of luggage transported by our group.  My primary work role in the clinics was that of the “pharmacist,” preparing and dispensing prescriptions and providing the necessary patient teaching regarding such things as medication purpose, dosing/administration, storage, and side effects.

Some of the highlights…

The hugs, smiles, handshakes, and words of thanks I received from many local people.  Although in my mind my actions in many ways were small or what I could give patients limited, the deep appreciation people showed me was heart warming.  The knowledge that in some small way I contributed to making people feel cared for and not forgotten in an underserved part of the world was a powerful experience.

The team was a highlight of the trip.  Participants from the USA ranged in age from about 14 to 73.  I really enjoyed the multi-generational makeup of the participants.  Working in collaboration with local staff enhanced the experience as well.   It’s interesting to me how you can take essentially a group of strangers and some acquaintances and after a few weeks a great camaraderie and friendship develops.

One evening our entire group was invited to the home of the Caritas director for dinner along with all his staff.  This was an amazing, once in a lifetime cultural experience.  There was an enormous feast with many foods I had never seen before. There was lots of time to socialize.  I sat with a young man who clearly was extremely knowledgeable about his country, providing so much information and answering questions.  Overall the evening was delightful with perfect weather, wonderful food, and great company.  I will never forget this night in my life and how welcomed I felt in Tanzania.

On a long drive one evening I overheard three adolescent American students and one Tanzanian young man sharing their passion for music.  Despite the thousands of miles between their two countries they shared many of the same favorite artists. Listening to them sing and connect over their common interest was a shining example of human similarities and common interests in a world which often seems to focus on differences.

An unusual experience on the trip was having the opportunity to teach bottle feeding in a rural village.   At one village, twin infants (about eight weeks old), whose mother had died following childbirth, were brought to the clinic.  The provider who saw them was concerned as one of the infants, in particular, seemed developmentally delayed and poorly nourished.  Both were reportedly being fed cow’s milk.  The following day our group delivered baby formula and bottle feeding supplies to the community.  I had the opportunity to explain bottle feeding via an interpreter.  While it seemed unusual to promote bottle feeding in a society where that is not the norm, it seemed like the best option for helping these babies receive better nutrition.  After leaving the supplies in the village my fingers were crossed that the new experience would be successful.  Feedback from local staff a few days later was that the babies were taking the formula well.

A final highlight for me was that my 17 year-old daughter accompanied me on this trip as a student volunteer.  She loved the trip!  The experience for her was maturing and educational.   She valued being part of a team, enjoyed the work, and loved playing with local children.   Both during and subsequent to the trip her participation sparked great conversations between us as she shared thoughts on topics such as poverty, happiness, health care access, and ethical dilemmas.  She learned many things, which neither I nor a textbook could ever have taught her.

Visiting a country as a nurse on a mission has given me perspectives I would never have obtained through travel alone.  I have seen parts of countries which would never be on the “tourist” route.”  I have had the privilege of getting a glimpse into the lives of local communities and understanding in more detail some of the health challenges facing the developing world.   I do however, recommend trying to find the time to see some of the “touristy” things a country has to offer as, in my opinion, that’s part of the fun of the experience.

I’ve found working in a developing country to be a humbling experience.  In my daily life I often feel stressed, like I’m on a treadmill trying to keep pace with my responsibilities – family, work, home, etc.  I never take time to look at how fortunate I am in my life.  I take for or granted that I have access to clean water, ample food, health care, and free education for my daughters.  On my mission I observed in wonder that people would walk miles to receive healthcare.  I was moved by the hug of a patient who thanked me because she would otherwise not have been able to afford to see a medical provider or pay for medication.  I felt so appreciated by someone who just wanted to shake my hand and offer their words of gratitude in some cases because I gave them something as simple as a bar of soap or a tube of toothpaste.  When reflecting back on my mission the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff” comes to mind.  I am reminded to put my stressors and experiences into a new perspective, appreciating all that I have and knowing that some of what I believe in my mind to be important, taxing, or stressful in the scheme of things and the greater world really is not.

Mission work has been a career highlight for me.  It gets to the heart of why I chose to become a nurse in the first place, the desire to help others.  I enjoy the challenge of functioning in a resource limited setting and getting creative, at times, in order to help patients.  On this mission, as with the others, I came home feeling as though I took away more from the experience than I gave.  I hope to have another opportunity to work abroad in the future.  In fact, I hope to someday be in a situation that allows me to do it for a longer timeframe.

I encourage other nurses or people interested in participating in some type of volunteer experience to try to find a way to make it happen.  People sometimes say to me that they think it’s great I’ve gone on missions and they too would like to.  However, that comment is usually followed by a list of perceived reasons preventing them.  Some of those issues are real limitations, but many people, I think, just need a cheering squad to help them pursue their dream.  If it’s your dream, try to make it happen.  It’s not easy in many ways…time away from work and family, sometimes long journeys to get places, lack of creature comforts, but likely you will feel fulfilled by the experience and then, I suspect, be looking for your next opportunity.

Thank you One Nurse At A Time and Barco's Nightingales. The financial assistance you provided was tremendously helpful.  But also, thank you for giving international/volunteer nursing a presence and encouraging nurses to get involved.  It’s wonderful to have an organization that values the contributions nurses can make outside of their regular work environment.

Multitude of Emotions- Honduras

Scholarship Recipient - Emily

I returned home from my trip to Honduras after just a week away filled with emotions. However, if I had to just choose one word to sum up the entire week I would say it was lovely. It is an experience that I will never forget and I hope that I have the opportunity to do over again. I met many wonderful Honduran and American people on my trip, I visited a beautiful village high in the mountains, learned about a new culture, experienced new foods, and enjoyed my time there immensely. Reflecting upon my experience, I can say that I felt a multitude of emotions that included, happiness, joy, peace, frustration, and exhaustion that all rolled into one amazing week.

I travelled to Monte Verde, Intibuca, Honduras with an amazing organization called MEDICO, Inc.  They provide medical, dental, and eye care to well deserving and needing communities of Honduras and Nicaragua.  Our trip was from April 14-21012 with a team composing of 23 people - There were 4 physicians (2 American and 2 Honduran), 4 nurses, 3 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 5 volunteers/interpreters, and one Honduran pharmacist.  This was an easy team to get to know and work with, as they were all people who were there for one main reason – to help others. The best part was that all of their egos were checked – back in the U.S, despite the language and cultural differences, we all got along extremely well.  In addition to those volunteering with MEDICO, we also worked with the School Sisters of Notre Dame who provided us with food and housing during our visit.

Our clinic was set up in a building the Sisters owned, that included: a kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms/showers, big open area to see patients, and a room we transformed into a pharmacy.  797 patients were seen for medical services and 255 for dental services.  We served people in wide age group- from infants to geriatrics.  Close to 2500 medicines were distributed free of charge for a wide variety of reasons. Our first day was delayed due to severe travel delays. The roads were impassable and we arrived very late in the day which forced us to start seeing patient’s Monday morning. Our day would typically start at 8am and would end around 5pm, with time in between for lunch.  We saw patients until Thursday morning when we packed up and left the mountains to make our way back to San Pedro Sula.

My job was to dispense medications in the pharmacy the physicians had prescribed, give instructions and ensure that medications were taken properly. Luckily, I worked with a Honduran pharmacist, who was a wealth of information and two Honduran teenagers who were my interpreters. Often, I was able to help out and provide medical care by assisting with pap smears, IM injections and working in the triage area. During the week, a dentist, hygienist and physician drove out to a remote area to care for patients whose walk discouraged them from seeking medical care.

I once a heard a quote that says 'there are more differences between the sexes than there are between cultures' – I am unsure of who the author is, but I have found this true many times over, including in Honduras.  The people I met are similar Americans - they are hard-working and are doing the best they can with what they have.  In the village there was a main square and the surrounding area had a beautiful church, school buildings, a soccer field, vendors on the street selling food and clothing, a mill, a small general store, and many homes.  It appeared to be a very small, quaint town with absolutely amazing views.

I enjoyed everything!  I don't think I could pick what I enjoyed the most.  Even dealing with horrible roads, which took several more hours to drive on, was enjoyable because it's all a part of the overall experience, which I loved.  One of the highlights was working with the Honduran doctors.  They were lovely people and to experience their care and compassion for their people was inspiring.  It was quite evident they love what they do.  One pediatrician, Dr Paredes is recognized on an international level for the work he has done for children in need.  He is an excellent a role model not just for other physicians, but for everyone who should be doing more for their own country/people.  

I guess if I had to pick just one moment that was my favorite I guess it would have to be the impact this trip had on Andrea, our 14 year old interpreter.  Andrea has gone on other medical mission trips with MEDICO.  This time she met a little boy named Batilio, who was often around the clinic before and after school.  He was about 5 years old and didn't own a pair of shoes.  Andrea spent a lot of her time with him during our down times in the morning and evenings.  On our second to last day she bought him a pair of shoes with her own money.  When our group had its last dinner together in San Pedro Sula, Andrea mentioned how much Batilio changed her life.  I'm not sure of all the things they talked about, but to see this experience had a huge impact on this young girls life is unforgettable.  At such a young age, she could have spent this week of her life at the beach, with her friends, doing things most 14 year olds would be doing, instead she choose to spend her time working on her feet 8-9 hours a day and helping us and her own country.  To see her have this experience with the little boy is something I'm truly blessed to have been a part of.

One Nurse At A Time not only provided financial support which was greatly needed but I knew that they would be there if I ever needed anything.  If I just needed to talk to someone about my experience they would be there for me.  I think this mission trip, and others I have gone on, having greatly impacted my medical career.  For one, it has opened my eyes in seeing that working in a large teaching hospital will all the newest equipment is not the only way to provide excellent nursing care.  The setting in which you work is irrelevant.  Its how you treat the person you are taking care of that determines if you are providing excellent nursing care.  

I guess I've always known that I'm a simple person.  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  I don't need a lot of money, or a fancy car, or all the up-to-date technology, or even hot showers.  Life is about being kind, warm, compassionate, giving, and caring.  Going on trips like this one to Honduras, allows me to forget about my phone and emails and to focus on helping those in need.  I hope I was able to give as much as I received.

Emily returned home from Monte Verde, Honduras in April, 2012. She traveled with the medical team MEDICO from April 14^th-21^st, 2012.

Empowering Vietnamese Nurses

Staci Swan, RN just returned from Vietnam after traveling with the organization Good Samaritan Medical Dental Ministry.  The organization as a whole does mission work in rural Vietnam, but this particular aspect of their mission is to promote emergency medicine in Vietnam and helping the medical community develop this as a true specialty. Staci taught a pediatric emergency module, specifically addressing common emergencies and pediatric trauma.  She also traveled with her husband Rob who is an ER nurse.  You can read about his experience here.

In Staci's own words:  "Having just turned 28 I have traveled throughout the US and Canada, but had never gone what I would call truly international. Boy, this was a great place to start! My husband and I, the healthcare duo that we are, were welcomed so warmly to Vietnam by such grateful nurses. Though I feel very comfortable as a pediatric ER nurse in the US, I was very nervous about teaching the subject. As the interpreter and I lectured on pediatric emergencies, the passion and intrigue radiated from the class so much that it was nearly impossible to adhere to our time limit. I had to propose completely new and additional lectures just to cover all the incredible questions they asked.  We were empowering Vietnamese nurses- discussing the necessity for sharp observations in the pediatric population and offering avenues for nurses to be more autonomous and anticipatory with patient care.  It was clear by their spoken and unspoken responses that our group had much to offer Vietnam healthcare and their future in emergency medicine and were already making a noticeable impact."

"The few hours a day when we weren't teaching I roamed the streets wide-eyed, and one thing that put a smile on my face was walking through the street markets and having Vietnamese children gather around me or pass by practicing their English skills, "Hi" or "Hello!", while I in turn practiced my poor Vietnamese, “Xin Chao!” Visiting the local orphanage was also a valuable experience to us. These well cared for children performed a fashion and dance show for us so happily and the older ones made us dinner at the restaurant owned by the orphanage. When the kids reach the appropriate age, they learn the responsibility of the workplace by cooking and serving at their restaurant which had fabulously delicious food. We felt so healthy after eating meals in Vietnam, a welcome change from the remorse after a heavy American meal."
"I look forward to 29 and building on the foundation we have set for international emergency medicine in Vietnam and elsewhere. Kids rock!"


Staci Swan is a certified pediatric emergency nurse born and raised in the Cajun Heartland, but now rugged Fairbanks, Alaska is her home. It’s been almost six years since she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Louisiana State University and subsequently has worked in emergency departments in five states. She is currently employed at Yale-New Haven Hospital in the pediatric emergency department while her husband, Rob, is pursuing his graduate degree in nursing at Yale University. In addition to volunteering in Vietnam with One Nurse at a Time, they are both are committed to volunteering with the Alaska Summer Research Academy. She has also tutored for Goodwill Industries and volunteered at a shelter in New Orleans, LA, post Hurricane Katrina. She especially loves pediatric medicine and soon plans to pursue an advanced degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner, while continuing my volunteer efforts locally and internationally.  

2 ONAAT scholarship nurses pack for Vietnam

Husband and wife team Rob and Staci Swan will be leaving for Vietnam tomorrow with the organization Good Samaritan Medical Dental Ministry.  The organization as a whole does mission work in rural Vietnam, but this particular aspect of their mission is to promote emergency medicine in Vietnam and helping the medical community develop this as a true specialty. Rob will be part of the team teaching a multi module trauma and emergency medicine course to Vietnamese nurses of all specialties who are interested in moving into emergency medicine.  Staci will be teaching a pediatric emergency module, specifically addressing common emergencies and pediatric trauma.

One Nurse At A Time would like to send thoughts and prayers for safe travels for them and their team.   We look forward hearing about their trip and sharing their stories and photos!

Rob Swan, RN, CEN, received a BA in biology from the University of Alaska and his BSN from Creighton University.  For five years he worked as a flight nurse in Alaska and an emergency nurse at hospitals in Louisiana, Alaska and finally Seattle where he discovered One Nurse at a Time.  He is currently enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Yale University and has volunteered the past two years teaching part of a trauma course to Vietnamese nurses with the Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministries.  He previously spent one year in both Seoul, South Korea and Oslo, Norway as part of his military and work duties.  In his free time he wonders at the marvel that is his four year old daughter, plays hockey and fixes cars. 

Staci Swan is a certified pediatric emergency nurse born and raised in the Cajun Heartland, but now rugged Fairbanks, Alaska is her home. It’s been almost six years since she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Louisiana State University and subsequently has worked in emergency departments in five states. She is currently employed at Yale-New Haven Hospital in the pediatric emergency department while her husband, Rob, is pursuing his graduate degree in nursing at Yale University. In addition to volunteering in Vietnam with One Nurse at a Time, they are both are committed to volunteering with the Alaska Summer Research Academy. She has also tutored for Goodwill Industries and volunteered at a shelter in New Orleans, LA, post Hurricane Katrina. She especially loves pediatric medicine and soon plans to pursue an advanced degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner, while continuing my volunteer efforts locally and internationally.