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Marcia Porter

Martha North is staying put this summer, and working closer to home.

But last year was a different matter for the third-year School of Nursing Student. Last year, Martha caught the travel bug and knew she had to do something about it!

So she spent last August in Tanzania, volunteering on a medical placement.

It was a life-shaping experience for the native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who says she caught the bug from her older brother, who’s a bit of a world traveler.

“I was super excited because I knew this would help me choose what I really wanted to do with my life,” she said. “Nursing is the best profession. Knowing you are helping people is so rewarding.”

Nursing students are able to volunteer for medical placements once they’ve completed their second year of study.

Martha heard from a friend about an organization called International Volunteer Headquarters, which offered placements in 30 countries world-wide.

Martha knew exactly where she wanted to go.

 “Tanzania was really the first place I thought of,” said Martha. “My brother really inspired me to travel, and he really has such a soft spot for Tanzania.”

She was accepted, and assigned to work at the Ithna Asheri Charity Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania.

Martha’s supervisors knew she was keen to learn, and had her working in all areas of the hospital, including the ICU, delivery room, and outpatient/inpatient areas.

“The majority of cases I saw were malarial-based, and there was also a lot of HIV,” said Martha. “We had just finished learning about malaria, HIV and parasites in my classes, so everything was fresh in my mind.”

Though the language barrier with nursing staff was a bit challenging at times, the nurses she worked with encouraged her to help with tasks including assessments, vital signs, EKG tracings, bed baths and bed making! 

 “Non-verbal communication was a big help,” she said. “And I did learn some Swahili.”

Martha walked back and forth to work every day, and really enjoyed the carefree lifestyle she found in Tanzania. People she met were friendly, generous, and very respective.

“People’s traditions were very strong, and you were welcomed everywhere. It was such a good experience for my first time away from home.”

She became great friends with one of the staff nurses she saw every day.

“We just clicked,” said Martha. “Before I left she brought me to her home, she prepared a massive meal and we had a ball. I got to meet her whole family.”

She presented Martha with a gift of blue fabric with the words…I will remember you…inscribed in Swahili. “That meant a lot to me.”

And though she will spend summer 2013 closer to home, her experience in Tanzania stays with her.