YORK COUNTY, PA—
Many students spend spring break at the beach, but not a group from York College. The nursing students traveled to Uganda to lend a helping hand at the CURE Children's Hospital."It is very painful and harsh to see the poverty and see the struggles and difficulties, but for me to be a part of that for students is rich," said Cheryl Thompson, R.N. and Associate Professor at York College.
Thompson led the group. This was her third trip to the African country.
"What I do is just bring home a different perspective of how I live my life," said Thompson.
The students, who worked closely with the hospital staff and the young patients, also returned home with a new look on life.
"It was really overwhelming, there is so many cultural differences that are there, the people were more welcoming than I had expected," said Johnny Raynor, student.
"They are not wasteful at all and in this culture we tend to be, so it was really a great lesson to learn," said Jen Brady, student.
Students say the biggest difference between the hospital and health centers in the US is the patients.
"Most of the children who present to the hospital are very far along in their illness, unlike in this country where we're able to identify and treat these neurological conditions," said Thompson.
The students spent a total of 2 weeks helping out. They also took medical supplies to the hospital.
