Claire's Volunteer Trip to Africa
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Dear Friends and Family,
I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to Zimbabwe, Africa for 4 weeks and volunteer as a nursing assistant at the Chidamoyo Christian Hospital! This hospital gives medical care to surrounding areas in return for buckets of peanuts, livestock, such as chickens, or any other crop the patients are able to bring. With the ability to graduate a semester early, in December 2017, I will be embarking on this adventure the following month.
The rural hospital’s mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through hospital evangelism. I will be working closely with the staff and community towards spreading the Word of God through my efforts in giving direct patient care. I am excited to learn more about the culture of the Zimbabweans and serve them in any capacity needed. Learning about healthcare in a third-world country will be a perspective that will shape myself as a healthcare provider and progress my cultural humility. This trip is very special to me for that reason because it will directly contribute to my personal goal of doing missionary work as a physician assistant one day.
To give you some background on Zimbabwe, which I have researched, but soon will be from personal experience, there are 0.08 physicians per 1,000 people in the country. The high infant mortality rate and low life expectancy is a result of the physician shortage. Comparatively, the US has 30 times more physicians available per 1,000 people than Zimbabwe. This 90-bed hospital is a 2 and half hour drive from the nearest town or grocery store. Continually for almost 50 years now, the staff of the hospital provides quality medical care and spiritual care. I encourage you to watch this video link to learn more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7se3-zhndo.
I am passionate about bringing quality healthcare to people of all cultural backgrounds. This adventure will allow me to develop my skills in not only healthcare, but also ways to share the gospel! While I am still learning about Chidamoyo Christian Hospital, it is evident to me that all who serve there, serve out of love for people. The more I continue to research this cause, the more I am compelled to contribute. God has called me to use my gifts to share his Word and I can’t think of a better way to learn how then to go, observe, and act!
I ask for help in two ways. First, I ask for continued prayers for the hospital and myself. Prayers will help give me strength and patience to be open, loving, and prepared to learn and work hard. Secondly, if you are interested in financially supporting my trip in any way I would appreciate a check made out to Claire Linden with “Africa 2018” in the memo, venmo @clairelinden, or I am selling t-shirts at http://www.sendclairetoafrica.bigcartel.com. I am grateful for any contribution you are willing to make. I am eager to offer myself as a service to others and I would love for you to be a part of it with me. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me.
I look forward to doing God’s work in Zimbabwe and will make sure to give you all of the details and share stories with you when I return.
With love,
Claire Linden
I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to Zimbabwe, Africa for 4 weeks and volunteer as a nursing assistant at the Chidamoyo Christian Hospital! This hospital gives medical care to surrounding areas in return for buckets of peanuts, livestock, such as chickens, or any other crop the patients are able to bring. With the ability to graduate a semester early, in December 2017, I will be embarking on this adventure the following month.
The rural hospital’s mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through hospital evangelism. I will be working closely with the staff and community towards spreading the Word of God through my efforts in giving direct patient care. I am excited to learn more about the culture of the Zimbabweans and serve them in any capacity needed. Learning about healthcare in a third-world country will be a perspective that will shape myself as a healthcare provider and progress my cultural humility. This trip is very special to me for that reason because it will directly contribute to my personal goal of doing missionary work as a physician assistant one day.
To give you some background on Zimbabwe, which I have researched, but soon will be from personal experience, there are 0.08 physicians per 1,000 people in the country. The high infant mortality rate and low life expectancy is a result of the physician shortage. Comparatively, the US has 30 times more physicians available per 1,000 people than Zimbabwe. This 90-bed hospital is a 2 and half hour drive from the nearest town or grocery store. Continually for almost 50 years now, the staff of the hospital provides quality medical care and spiritual care. I encourage you to watch this video link to learn more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7se3-zhndo.
I am passionate about bringing quality healthcare to people of all cultural backgrounds. This adventure will allow me to develop my skills in not only healthcare, but also ways to share the gospel! While I am still learning about Chidamoyo Christian Hospital, it is evident to me that all who serve there, serve out of love for people. The more I continue to research this cause, the more I am compelled to contribute. God has called me to use my gifts to share his Word and I can’t think of a better way to learn how then to go, observe, and act!
I ask for help in two ways. First, I ask for continued prayers for the hospital and myself. Prayers will help give me strength and patience to be open, loving, and prepared to learn and work hard. Secondly, if you are interested in financially supporting my trip in any way I would appreciate a check made out to Claire Linden with “Africa 2018” in the memo, venmo @clairelinden, or I am selling t-shirts at http://www.sendclairetoafrica.bigcartel.com. I am grateful for any contribution you are willing to make. I am eager to offer myself as a service to others and I would love for you to be a part of it with me. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me.
I look forward to doing God’s work in Zimbabwe and will make sure to give you all of the details and share stories with you when I return.
With love,
Claire Linden
Organizer
Claire Linden
Organizer
Downers Grove, IL