Hello everyone! My name is Molly Kruse. I am a senior in the
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and after graduation hope to pursue my dream of
becoming a pediatric nurse. This summer I was lucky enough to participate in
the Community Health Nursing program, which was located in Bolgatanga, Ghana.
This program was full of wonderful experiences, great
learning opportunities, and a variety of unique food choices. While in Ghana,
we worked side by side with nurses in local clinics to learn more about how
their health care system works. I was able to observe surgery, learn how to
diagnose malaria under the microscope, and teach the children of the Zaare
Village about dental hygiene. During our time in Bolgatanga we got African
dresses hand made, spent time shopping at the local craft village, and made
daily trips to the local outdoor market for fresh mango.
Some of our more exciting
adventures included a trip to Paga Crocodile pond (where I touched a crocodile –
sorry mom!) and seeing elephants on our safari at Mole National Park. We were
able to get a better understanding of the culture by attending a wedding,
watching dance troupes, and taking a tour at the Cape Coast Castle.
As far as
the food goes all I can is that they like it spicy! I ate a lot of rice,
chicken, spaghetti, and french fries. Additionally, we had opportunities to try
local dishes such as groundnut soup with a rice ball (pictured below) and
red-red, which includes black-eyed peas with fried plantain.
The most memorable
moments of the trip were those spent interacting with the locals. Whether they
were a merchant at the craft village or a patient in the clinic, everyone was
so friendly and inviting! They have a way of capturing your heart in a way you
will not forget.
Overall, I had a wonderful time on the Community Health
Nursing program. This trip forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow
not only as a nursing student but also as a person. I will always be grateful
for my time spent in Bolgatanga and I am already looking forward to my next
trip to Africa!
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We had to purchase homemade fans to keep ourselves cool. It
was so hot! We also bought way too many Bolga baskets!
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| Ready for our first day in the clinics! |
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At the Paga Crocodile Pond the crocodiles are friendly!
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The U of A Faculty-Led: Community Health Nursing program introduces students to the core concepts of community
health nursing and provides students with an opportunity to experience
nursing in a developing country by working together with nurses and doctors in a hospital and in
clinics, where they will connect with local people and experience their
cultures and traditions firsthand. 