From left: Nursing students Gurpreet Thur, Laura May, Cassandra Werkema, Julianne Siewert, Noella Gomes
This fall, Aberdeen Hall welcomed nursing students from Muriel Kranabetter’s Engaging in Leadership course into grade three and six classrooms to help learn more about global health issues.
The students were there to discuss the importance of clean water and sanitation, the impact of malaria, how the education systems work in several African countries, and a variety of other global health topics.
“Our students really enjoyed the experience. Their eyes were opened to a whole new perspective of life for school-aged children across the globe,” says Aberdeen Hall teacher Christina Kuhn.
“We also discussed how we need to work together as a global community to help others.”
During their time at Aberdeen Hall, nursing students Noella Gomes, Laura May, Julianne Siewert, Gurpreet Thur, and Cassandra Werkema helped establish a partnership between Aberdeen Hall and Kaande Basic School in Zambia.
These partners helped the classes create a list of supplies that would be useful for schools in Ghana and Zambia. Aberdeen Hall students then supplied the items, which will go to these schools when several nursing students complete their final nursing practicum there this March.
“Through the amazing support of the Aberdeen Hall teachers and our professor Muriel Kranabetter we were able to help build awareness of global health issues, as well as create a meaningful partnership between the Canadian and Zambian schools,” says Cassandra Werkema.
The nursing students will be returning to Aberdeen Hall after their practicum is complete to provide an update on their work and share their experiences.
