Uganda Trip Transforms Nursing Student's Life
Fourth-year nursing student gains cultural insight from summer abroad in Uganda.
Life lessons sometimes reveal themselves in unexpected places.
For fourth-year University of Saskatchewan (USask) Bachelor of Science in Nursing student Jayne Waterhouse, finding room in her studies to join the One Health Community Partnerships (OHCP) project in Uganda from May to August was transformative, not just professionally, but emotionally.
“My eyes were opened to how these under-resourced communities experience both moments of joy and the harsh realities of daily life,” said Waterhouse.
“I was inspired by the resilience of women who, despite gathering water, raising families, growing produce, caring for animals, and making baskets or beads to sell, are some of the most joyful people I’ve ever met.”
Now as she prepares to graduate this November and is studying for her national nursing licensure exam, she’s getting closer to her goal of becoming a registered nurse (RN), in hopes of working at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in pediatrics.
“I am so glad to have challenged myself to experience nursing in a setting very different than here at home, as I feel it will really benefit my practice once I become a RN,” said Waterhouse.
Supported by Global Affairs Canada, the OHCP project focuses on improving the health of vulnerable women and girls by empowering poor and marginalized rural farmers, especially in female-headed households.
The program serves communities in Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
For Waterhouse, the experience included preparing and planning lessons to teach schoolchildren in project villages.
“We taught at five different schools in the communities we worked with,” said Waterhouse.
“We also observed health centres to gain a ground-level perspective on health concerns, emergency preparedness, and safety and hygiene practices.”
Besides the local women sharing their own knowledge about human and animal health, Waterhouse says she also learned a lot by exploring the local areas, visiting vegetable markets, eating at local restaurants, and becoming familiar with the community.
For Waterhouse, a highlight of the experience was the students’ enthusiasm, particularly as they taught them about water and sanitation practices.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how warmly we were received by both teachers and students, and I truly felt the love and joy of these children,” said Waterhouse.
Jayne Waterhouse with Madam Janet Busingye, Super-Paravet and President of the Western Hope For Future Initiatives, local partner organization of the OHCP Project in Uganda. Credit: Submitted.
“They are incredibly smart, resourceful, and eager to learn,” adding that the schools established One Health Clubs to create sustainable change and promote the health of their animals, environment, and communities.
After choosing USask for her nursing education because it was close to home with a great reputation, Waterhouse sought out the One Health Community Project opportunity because she wanted to gain cross-cultural experience.
Now she advocates strongly for the benefits of volunteering with OHCP.
“If you want to grow personally and professionally, this program offers the chance to collaborate with students from different academic and cultural backgrounds, a valuable way to practice teamwork, just as you would in healthcare,” she said.
This final experience of her undergraduate nursing education is one Waterhouse will carry with her into her professional life.
“The people I met in Uganda truly touched me. Life there is centered around a collective community, where everyone is involved in each other’s lives and supports one another. Being part of a close-knit team of volunteers was a blessing, and I am very grateful for the students I went with and the friendships I formed.”
