St John of God Auxiliary was treated to an afternoon of enlightenment as five special nurses gave talks on their experiences as volunteers overseas at an AGM on Monday 18 February.
Guest speaker Karen Thompson spoke on her experience aboard the Mercy Ship Australia stationed in Africa as part of a medical team.
She said healthcare and the health system is very expensive in Africa so patients come to the Mercy Ship for treatment, some taking days to get there.
The small hospital on board the ship caters for bites, burns, hernias, cataracts etc and serious cases such as burst appendices.
Other guest speakers included four delightful nurses, Tess Matthews, Madeline White, Bridget Adams and Natalie Mason.
These young nurses volunteered, raising their own expenses to go to Nepal and Kathmandu as part of a program called World Youth in Action.
The program itself started 21 years ago to help third world countries get better healthcare and teach better hygiene.
For example, the nurses spoke of rubber gloves being used for one patient and washed out to use on the next patient.
The four nurses cared for many patients, also staying in patients’ homes to teach home-care.
“Tess, Maddie, Bridget and Natalie said their experiences will live with them for a lifetime,” St John of God Auxiliary member Anne Crockett said.
“They thanked us (St John of God Auxiliary) for our support and contributions to their expenses.
“These young nurses are a credit to the hospital and themselves and the auxiliary had pleasure listening to them.”
The St John of God Auxiliary meeting will take place on Monday 18 March.
An auxiliary member will talk on ‘Harmony Day’.
Meetings are held at the Berwick RSL, 17 Langmore Lane, Berwick.
Anyone wishing to come along or join can call Ms Crockett on 9707 3425.
