Second-year College of New Caledonia (CNC) nursing students are about to set off for India and hope to bring over 120 flip flops with them.
The students will be completing a five-week nursing practicum at a local hospital in Bangalore and will be visiting orphanages on a weekly basis.
“It’s an opportunity to expand our learning further than Prince George and get immersed in how other cultures develop their healthcare,” says Michaela Fedoruk, one of the students in the program, adding, “I have considered possibly joining Doctors’ Without Borders after I graduate so this will give me a little taste of that as well.”
The students will be working in rotations around various parts around the 3,000-bed hospital including the general ward, medical ICU, and surgical ICU.
“I think what I am most excited for is to learn about a totally new health care system,” adds nursing student Maria Christie. “I have never left North America, this is my first time so that is an exciting feature in and of itself.”
During their practicum, the nursing students will also be delivering the flip-flops to children in need.
“We are volunteering for an organization called Dream India and we head over to an orphanage and try and interact and bring a little bit of happiness,” says Christie. “We are bringing as many flip flops as we can and anything that would make their lives a little better.”
They are also collecting educational activities and supplies, colouring books, stickers, bubbles, small toys, and Canadian souvenirs.
The students will donate the flip flops and gifts to House of Hope, a place for orphaned children affected by HIV.
They are hoping to collect as many flip flops as they can by April 20, which is just a few days before their April 25 departure date.
“The footwear is necessary there,” says Fedoruk. “It’s our way of thanking them for having us there and making a small contribution to hosting us.”
You can donate flip-flops or small gifts at the collection bin located at the front of CNC's library.
