Page 13 - The BellTower - Spring 2016

Nursing Student Volunteers in Haiti
Members of the UMFK commu- nity, the St. John Vianney’s Social Justice and Peace Commission, and Fort Kent Assembly of God, gave UMFK senior nursing student Frantzceau Germain, a native of Haiti, a helping hand to have the opportunity to serve on a medical mission to Haiti this past summer.
Germain traveled with the International Medical Relief organization (IMR), which exists to provide dental, medical and humanitarian aid, or other services deemed necessary for the benefit of all people in need throughout the world. There were a total of 50 IMR volunteers throughout the United States, who aided more than 2,500 patients in Haiti. While
there, Germain gave a workshop on Haitian cultural values, norms, and beliefs that are shared within the community.
While in Haiti, Germain used his knowledge and skills that he learned as a nursing student and his work experience at the Northern Maine Medical Center for the care of patients under the guidance of experienced nurses, physicians, dentists, and nurse practitioners.
Germain had the opportunity for direct patient interaction and for hands- on patient assessments or observations. “I was able to assist in pharmacy, patient intake, clinic triage, provider-patient care, and direct patient education on preventa- tive and community health topics,” said Germain.
He explained that simple medical rem- edies most people in the United States may take for granted are often unavailable to many of those living in Haiti. “People over there don’t even buy a Tylenol, antibiot-
ics and typical medications, even a band aid can be problematic (to acquire). Some of these people, they come from really
far (to seek aid from IMR). Some of them, they just get up early in the morning like
4 o’clock, and walk just to come there,” he said.
Germain had the opportunity on his trip to share a gift from Fort Kent with a young child in need of clothing. He purchased a boy’s toddler-sized outfit from the Good Shepherd in Fort Kent, which he brought with him on his trip and ultimately gave to a young boy who appeared to be about the right size for the outfit.
“When I gave it to that little boy, the
mother was so happy. A lot of things peo- ple take for granted can be a big deal “ Germain said he plans to work with
Doctors Without Borders when he gradu- ates from UMFK. “My trip to Haiti with
the International Medical Relief was a life changing experience; it opened my eyes on the disparities around the world - especial- ly the third world countries,” he said. The group was there for a total of six days.
“Now that I went on that medical trip, I would like to envision UMFK students to have more opportunities to bring medical support to those in need of medical care around the world.”
Since his trip, Germain was instru- mental in starting a UMFK student club, Partners for International Relief, that will give opportunities for student of UMFK to travel to another country to volunteer their services to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
For more information about International Medical Relief, visit their website at internationalmedicalrelief.org
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