Merle Boeree Memorial Scholarship
Donation protected
The Merle Boeree Memorial Scholarship
Merle Boeree was a dedicated Stomal Therapy Nurse who worked at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia from 1992 to her untimely death in 2014
.
Merle was a skilled practitioner, a kind nurse and an excellent teacher.
The Merle Boeree Memorial Scholarship has been set up to provide financial support to graduates of the Kenyan Stoma Wound and Continence Nursing Education Program (SWCNEP) to enable attendance at relevant conferences or educational events to enhance professional development, provide advanced knowledge and skills and develop networks with other Enterostomal Therapy Nurses.
Graduation day for the 2017 program
Nursing knowledge is directly associated with patient care so money will also be collected in this account for special projects associated with patients and their families.
Kenya and Australia Twinning Project
For many years plans had been underway to develop Stomal Therapy Nursing in Kenya and in 2013 a Kenya Australia Twinning Project was set up with a team of volunteer Australian Stomal Therapy Nurses travelling to Kenya to conduct the first Stoma, Wound and Continence Nursing Education Program (SWCNEP) in central eastern Africa under the leadership of Merle’s work colleague Elizabeth English.
Merle was keen to be involved with this Kenyan project but sadly her illness prevented this, however she kept a strong interest in its activities.
Members of the Australian Stomal Therapy Nursing Team. Altogether there were 17 Australian STNs who volunteered their time between 2013 and 2017
Prior to 2013 there were no specialised nurses in Kenya to look after people with stomas, wounds or incontinence. People coped the best way they could with limited resources and inadequate care and knowledge.
A stoma is a surgically created opening on the abdomen for the elimination of body wastes. Common reasons for a stoma are disease, trauma or congenital abnormality.
Common sight in public hospitals - no pillow, no sheet
A unique wheelchair
Outcomes so far
Development of this nursing specialty in Kenya is still in its infancy but already patients with stomas, wound or incontinence are receiving the benefits of specialised care as a result of the work of the Australian Stomal Therapy Nurse volunteers
The Stomal Therapy Team conducted 3 programs between 2013 and 2017 with 53 nurses completing the programs - 49 from Kenya, 2 from Tanzania, 1 from Togo and 1 from Botswana.
Kenya now has SWC nurses all over Kenya –in Nairobi, Machakos, Kijabi, Homa Bay, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Samburu, Bomet, Kilifi, Kakamega, Kwale, Wajir, Kisii – some of these are very remote.
2017 program graduates
Achievement
An achievement of note sees the major Kenyatta National Hospital and the Aga Khan University Private Hospital in Nairobi setting up dedicated Stoma Wound and Continence Nurse positions, which proves that hospital administrators have recognised the huge need for this nursing specialty in Kenya to assist patients with intimate health care needs
Examples of other achievements
It is amazing to see the passion and commitment of these nurses who have embraced stoma, wound and continence nursing and now have a new focus on improving the lives of their patients. They are already involved with conducting nurse-led outpatient clinics, ward rounds, seminars, ostomy support groups, advising management re procurement of products and several have been presented with awards recognising their great contribution to their hospital and patients.
Sustainability
It is so important that the work initiated by the Australian Stoaml Therapu Nurse volunteers is continued.
The aim of the Twinning project was to make this specialised program, a sustainable package that could be continued by the Kenyans for Kenyan and African nurses.
17 graduates of the first two programs completed an advanced program in 2017 to prepare them to be the Kenyan teachers of the future. They were called the KTs.
Work is underway for the next program to go ahead in 2018 with Kenyan leadership under the guidance of the Australians.
It is envisaged that Kenya will develop in this nursing speciality just as other developing countries involved in a Twinning Project have done.
2017 - the KTs
2018
Graduates have applied for this scholarship to attend the 2018 World Council of Enterostomal Therapists biennial congress in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Your donations will assist them to advance their professional practice and develop new knowledge and skills. It will also give then the opportunity of a lifetime to travel outside of their country to network with other Enterostomal Therapy nurses from around the world to encourage best practice in Kenya.
The ultimate outcome of this education will be better care of patients in Kenya to remove the stigma and ensure they have a better quality of life.
Facts
More than 2.5 million people in Kenya live in the slums. Being directly involved with these people created an awareness of the everyday life they experience with extreme poverty, terrible living conditions, lack of food, lack of water, lack of personal amenities which is compounded a thousand-fold with the advent of sickness or disability.
Seeing their amazing tenacity coping with pain, illness, death, adversity left an indelible impact on the Australian stoma nurses.
Nursing in Kenya is a challenge. Your donation will help these Kenyan nurses develop in their roles with the ultimate outcome of better care for their patients.
There have been great achievements in such a short time! The Kenyans assure the Australians that their volunteer work was not in vain!
A tailor at work outside his house in the slums
All donations to this fund go directly to the assigned person or project. Donors can be kept informed of the outcome of their donation.
Street view of Nairobi
I.
Imelda, Alice, Lydia and Jane - Graduates from the first 2014 program who have been mentored as Kenyan tutors of the future.
African nurses wages are not high and although they have the desire and the passion to further their nursing education, they often just do not have the money to pursue their dream.
Below is a photo of the slums where millions of people live.
There is no sewerage in slums and no rubbish collection
Ostomy support groups have now been set up with formalised donation systems organised. This boy was so happy to have a modern ostomy bag to apply to his stoma.
Vicki teaching students. No classroom was available in the first program that day so we are on the rooftop in our "open air classroom" with plastic table and chairs for small group practical teaching.
Please help us with our vision and that of Merle Boeree for a better future for our fellow man.
We need your help.
Funds are still needed.
Please donate. There is still so much to do.
Passion Persistence Vision
Merle Boeree was a dedicated Stomal Therapy Nurse who worked at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia from 1992 to her untimely death in 2014
.
Merle was a skilled practitioner, a kind nurse and an excellent teacher.
The Merle Boeree Memorial Scholarship has been set up to provide financial support to graduates of the Kenyan Stoma Wound and Continence Nursing Education Program (SWCNEP) to enable attendance at relevant conferences or educational events to enhance professional development, provide advanced knowledge and skills and develop networks with other Enterostomal Therapy Nurses.
Graduation day for the 2017 programNursing knowledge is directly associated with patient care so money will also be collected in this account for special projects associated with patients and their families.
Kenya and Australia Twinning Project
For many years plans had been underway to develop Stomal Therapy Nursing in Kenya and in 2013 a Kenya Australia Twinning Project was set up with a team of volunteer Australian Stomal Therapy Nurses travelling to Kenya to conduct the first Stoma, Wound and Continence Nursing Education Program (SWCNEP) in central eastern Africa under the leadership of Merle’s work colleague Elizabeth English.
Merle was keen to be involved with this Kenyan project but sadly her illness prevented this, however she kept a strong interest in its activities.
Members of the Australian Stomal Therapy Nursing Team. Altogether there were 17 Australian STNs who volunteered their time between 2013 and 2017Prior to 2013 there were no specialised nurses in Kenya to look after people with stomas, wounds or incontinence. People coped the best way they could with limited resources and inadequate care and knowledge.
A stoma is a surgically created opening on the abdomen for the elimination of body wastes. Common reasons for a stoma are disease, trauma or congenital abnormality.
Common sight in public hospitals - no pillow, no sheetA unique wheelchairOutcomes so far
Development of this nursing specialty in Kenya is still in its infancy but already patients with stomas, wound or incontinence are receiving the benefits of specialised care as a result of the work of the Australian Stomal Therapy Nurse volunteers
The Stomal Therapy Team conducted 3 programs between 2013 and 2017 with 53 nurses completing the programs - 49 from Kenya, 2 from Tanzania, 1 from Togo and 1 from Botswana.
Kenya now has SWC nurses all over Kenya –in Nairobi, Machakos, Kijabi, Homa Bay, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Samburu, Bomet, Kilifi, Kakamega, Kwale, Wajir, Kisii – some of these are very remote.
2017 program graduatesAchievement
An achievement of note sees the major Kenyatta National Hospital and the Aga Khan University Private Hospital in Nairobi setting up dedicated Stoma Wound and Continence Nurse positions, which proves that hospital administrators have recognised the huge need for this nursing specialty in Kenya to assist patients with intimate health care needs
Examples of other achievements
It is amazing to see the passion and commitment of these nurses who have embraced stoma, wound and continence nursing and now have a new focus on improving the lives of their patients. They are already involved with conducting nurse-led outpatient clinics, ward rounds, seminars, ostomy support groups, advising management re procurement of products and several have been presented with awards recognising their great contribution to their hospital and patients.
Sustainability
It is so important that the work initiated by the Australian Stoaml Therapu Nurse volunteers is continued.
The aim of the Twinning project was to make this specialised program, a sustainable package that could be continued by the Kenyans for Kenyan and African nurses.
17 graduates of the first two programs completed an advanced program in 2017 to prepare them to be the Kenyan teachers of the future. They were called the KTs.
Work is underway for the next program to go ahead in 2018 with Kenyan leadership under the guidance of the Australians.
It is envisaged that Kenya will develop in this nursing speciality just as other developing countries involved in a Twinning Project have done.
2017 - the KTs2018
Graduates have applied for this scholarship to attend the 2018 World Council of Enterostomal Therapists biennial congress in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Your donations will assist them to advance their professional practice and develop new knowledge and skills. It will also give then the opportunity of a lifetime to travel outside of their country to network with other Enterostomal Therapy nurses from around the world to encourage best practice in Kenya.
The ultimate outcome of this education will be better care of patients in Kenya to remove the stigma and ensure they have a better quality of life.
Facts
More than 2.5 million people in Kenya live in the slums. Being directly involved with these people created an awareness of the everyday life they experience with extreme poverty, terrible living conditions, lack of food, lack of water, lack of personal amenities which is compounded a thousand-fold with the advent of sickness or disability.
Seeing their amazing tenacity coping with pain, illness, death, adversity left an indelible impact on the Australian stoma nurses.
Nursing in Kenya is a challenge. Your donation will help these Kenyan nurses develop in their roles with the ultimate outcome of better care for their patients.
There have been great achievements in such a short time! The Kenyans assure the Australians that their volunteer work was not in vain!
A tailor at work outside his house in the slums All donations to this fund go directly to the assigned person or project. Donors can be kept informed of the outcome of their donation.
Street view of Nairobi I.
Imelda, Alice, Lydia and Jane - Graduates from the first 2014 program who have been mentored as Kenyan tutors of the future.
African nurses wages are not high and although they have the desire and the passion to further their nursing education, they often just do not have the money to pursue their dream.
Below is a photo of the slums where millions of people live.
There is no sewerage in slums and no rubbish collection Ostomy support groups have now been set up with formalised donation systems organised. This boy was so happy to have a modern ostomy bag to apply to his stoma.Vicki teaching students. No classroom was available in the first program that day so we are on the rooftop in our "open air classroom" with plastic table and chairs for small group practical teaching.Please help us with our vision and that of Merle Boeree for a better future for our fellow man.
We need your help.
Funds are still needed.
Please donate. There is still so much to do.
Passion Persistence Vision
Organizer
Elizabeth English
Organizer
Adelaide, SA