Greetings! FYI - Here is a copy of the newsletter I sent the end of 2009.
December 31, 2009
Greetings from Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences in Liberia! I hope everyone’s Christmas Holiday was blessed with the reminder of the love and hope that comes with the birth of Christ, our Savior! Best wishes to you all for this coming New Year!
As I look back on 2009 I think of where I’ve been and what the New Year will bring. This past year has been busy with the completion of two large funding projects, another graduation, and home assignment. The New Year will bring refinement of the two existing nursing programs at the College of Health Sciences and, hopefully, the addition of two new programs.
FUNDING PROJECTS:
‘Winifred’ submitted two large grants to fund the rebuilding of the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences Ganta Campus. During 2003 when the civil war was concentrated in Ganta much of the Ganta Mission Station was destroyed including the hospital and the school of nursing. So while the programs have been rebuilt and there is direction for its future programs, the physical plant is still in horrendous condition.
One application was written for the US government USAID/ASHA grant. This funding gives aid to ‘American Schools and Hospitals Abroad’ to assist with facilities improvement. I hope to be approved for monies to build a new health sciences and administrative building. This building will not only have new classrooms and offices but it will also have science laboratories and a resource center with books and computers.
The second funding grant was to the United Methodist Advance Program for renovation of the student dormitories. I am happy to report this Advance Number has been approved! The Advance Program allows for donations to be collected towards the work of the project. The best part of this is that 100% of any donation goes directly for the project. There are no administrative costs included. I will monitor donations to make sure they all come through the New York/GBGM offices to Liberia and, finally, to the project (please see the attached information sheet).
Why am I so happy about getting this Advance Number? There are 4 dorms for the students to live in. One is ok. One has no roof, windows, or doors so no students can live it in. The remaining two have students living in them but are in terrible condition! As a matter of fact, I’m very glad it is December with the end of the rainy season so I don’t have to worry about the leaky roofs! The electrical wiring is scary and the plumbing…well, it is non-existent in one building and works (sometimes) in the other building.
GRADUATION:
Someone recently asked me what my happiest, most rewarding moment was in my 3 years of being in Liberia. I had to answer that there were three of them – the three graduations that I have been part of! Ah, the students – the reason for my being there. It is wonderful to see them grow, learn, and graduate to serve the people of Liberia.
In July the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences graduated 25 students. In the 56 year history of the nursing school, this is the largest number who participated in commencement. It was a joyful time for the students and their families who have struggled to meet the difficult demands of the program, and also to meet the financial challenges that many have to pay tuition and fees. But they have persevered and been successful so they have a reason for celebration…and so do I!
HOME ASSIGNMENT
- church visits
It has been a joy to visit a great number of my supporting churches over the past 4 months. It is always a wonder to me to see the many different faces of the church, and see God’s work in so many different ways all to meet the needs of His people. I am sorry that time and distance prevented me from visiting all of you. However, for the churches I was not able to visit, I have included a timed power point presentation which will hopefully put pictures to the work being done. I hope this can be shared with your congregations, missions committees, or administrative councils.
- program development
Besides visiting churches I have been working on programs for the nursing school. The two programs we hope to start in the near future are a dental nurse practitioner program (DNP) and a physician assistant (PA) program of study.
There are only 5 dentists serving the people of Liberia and they are located in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Consequently, there are not only few oral health care providers but they are concentrated in one place. By starting the DNP program, WJH-CHS hopes to fill the need for most of the oral health problems. Also, the DNPs will conduct outreach to communities and schools to educate people on oral health care as a preventative strategy.
While home, I’ve continued work with Dental Care for the World (DCW) located in Memphis, Tenn. DCW has been working in international dental care since the early 1990’s and ‘Winifred’ has been collaborating with them since 2007. DCW has worked with UMCOR-Health, and University of Tennessee Dental School. They have visited Liberia, and they are now busy procuring equipment needed for training and patient care at the Ganta Hospital and the Camphor Clinic. Besides DCW, I have met with people from the University of Maryland and University of Michigan Dental Schools. Both of these schools are excited about working together for the development of the DNP training program. All these organizations have already helped in curriculum development, and we look to the future for other ways of working together to reach our common and ultimate goal of improved oral health for the people of Liberia.
Besides the DNP program, I have also met with Mr. Anthony Miller of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia about creating a physician assistant program. This is another level of health care provider that can care for patients in a country with a scarce number of doctors.
It is with a heart full of the hope and confidence given us through our Living God that I return to Liberia on January 9, 2010 for another three year assignment. I take with me all the memories of my visits with you, and the knowledge that you are with me in spirit and prayer. I couldn’t be more blessed; it is quite humbling. Thank you for all you do in so many ways – in your churches, communities, and across the waters.
In His Service – Sue Porter
