My Passion
August 24, 2011
Andrea Fandrich

I would like to believe that I am one of the lucky few who have found their passion in life and even luckier that I am able to pursue that passion.  If the nursing profession was a person, I think I would have a tender moment with it like in Risky Business where I confess, “You complete me.” Because it is true, I feel like nursing does complete me. I can’t put a finger on it; all I know is that it just feels right to be doing it. Even when doing it means facing some incredibly hard circumstances.

Working in a country with the worst maternal and child mortality rates in the world, really reminds me of that fact every day. This past week I had the opportunity to go with Roland back down to Moyamba and Bo to see the health projects that Theresa Benjamin is implementing down there. After seeing some of the Peripheral health Units and Birthing Huts and talking to some of the heads of the Mothers to Mothers groups, we sat down and discussed the proposed health project for Koinadugu and the potential budget for the projects. I learned a lot, mainly that I have a lot more to learn. However, as this is my passion I am very happy and eager to be helping out in implementing this project. I am just praying and hoping that we get more funds so that we can implement the full project, as there is a dire need for it in Koinadugu. Our WIEP program has already lost two women this year.

After our week in Moyamba, I dropped Roland off in Freetown and met up with Katie who was there to pick up her parents. I stayed the weekend with them in Freetown and while I was there, I had another moment that brought up my passion for nursing. One of the Moyamba staff had been admitted into the hospital with Hepatitis. I felt particularly close to this person, as he took care of me while I was staying in Sembehun. I went to visit him and as soon as I walked onto his ward I wanted to do everything I possibly could to help him. I gave him the gloves I had on hand because, here, patients have to buy gloves for their nurses to use.  I also went on a wild goose chase trying to find the drug that was prescribed to him but unavailable anywhere in the country. Luckily his brother was able to find it as well as an alternative drug. If I could have, I would have even stayed in the hospital to take care of him.  I give the best possible care I can to all my patients, but needless to say, when it is my own friends and family member that are ill, the urge to take care of them is magnified.

Other than that, this past week has been very exciting. Our night guard chased away a thief trying to break into our house through the ceiling, my phone was pick pocketed, we saw a bunch of projects here in Koinadugu and Moyamba, and Katie’s parents treated us to a wonderful weekend in a nice expat hotel in Freetown. (My first hot shower in almost 5 months!) I also received my new mp3 player that my mom sent with Katie’s parents. (My old one was stolen on the plane here.) Being reunited with my other passion, music, has given me back some sanity and has re-energized me; I am definitely looking forward to what the next few months have in store!!