Heading to Belize

Myself and about a dozen other Saint Scholastica Nursing students are on our way to Belize. We will be setting up a primitive medical clinic in the villages of San Ignacio. I'll hopefully be keeping everyone updated through the progress of our journey through this blog. Here's a link to the original story we did at work about what we will be doing.

To watch the video click here...

The holiday season is a time of giving, and a group of Saint Scholastica nursing students are preparing to depart the Northland to share the gift of time and knowledge with the people of Belize.

While they've packed their share of Minnesota nice, their suitcases still have plenty of room for medical supplies. Julie Pearce reports.

This group of eager minds is about halfway through St. Scholastica's post baccalaureate-nursing program. The last several months in the classroom have prepared them to take their skills into the field. They're headed to the Belizian city of San Ignatio, and they will be operating out of villages nestled in the mountains and foothills of the Andes.

"And we're going to be practicing our nursing in the rural communities of the rainforest of Belize."

"It's not just about us or them, it's about helping each other."

Helping each other from Northern Minnesota to Central America.

"I think we really want to show that we are part of a global community and that we accept stewardship, meaning that we accept responsibility for the global community."

This group of 13 students plans to do that by immersing themselves into a rich transcultural experience to learn, teach, and make a difference.And they don't go uninvited.

"The Belizean people have asked us to be there and they've asked for help with the particular things that we are going to be doing."

The focus of the mission includes diabetes screening and awareness, HIV prevention and education, and techniques to minimize the spread of disease.

"We'll be providing very basic healthcare and doing health assessments..."

"Doing some teaching, and some interventions, and some screenings for them."

"Teach about the importance of infection control, handwashing, just general hygeine."

While two weeks won't be enough to change the healthcare system, these students hope it's long enough to make a difference.

"I think this is going to be a life changing experience and I don't think there's a price tag that you can put on this."

"One of the things we always say at Saint Scholastica is that we are here to learn how to reach out and touch the world and so we're going out to actually touch a piece of the world."
In Duluth, Julie Pearce, the Northland's NewsCenter.

The group departs for their 2-week journey on January 4th.

They're still in need of supplies including:
Glucometer, Testing Strips, Lancets, Gloves, Bandaids, Blood Pressure Cuffs, Antibacterial Soap, Alcohol Gel, OTC Medications, Bug Spray, Cotton Balls, Q-Tips, Toys, Clothes, Etc.

You can make donations by calling Sarah Mathias at (218) 525-3112.

The NewsCenter's Julie Pearce will be participating in the adventure and will have all the details on the group's progress when they return.