Nursing in the D.R. Congo

Vicki Kyarsgaard, Assistant Professor of Nursing

On May 23, Sarah, Maggie, Krista, Becky, and Professor Kyarsgaard took off for the Democratic Republic of Congo…not quite on time but looking forward to the trip. Then, one of the girl’s suitcases did not arrive and my bag with much of the equipment I brought was also lost. One of the bags arrived the next week, and the equipment arrived nearly 3 weeks later, along with Dr. Bristol….but they all arrived!  God is good.

The students worked in the hospital wards and in O.R. at Heal Africa. There was so much to learn. The language of medicine and education is French.  Professor K. understood some French but mastery of the spoken language comes a bit more slowly. The students started to pick up French, as well as Swahili, over the time we were there. The team delivered babies, assisted in surgery, started IVs, cared for some serious wounds, aided in emergency triage, helped to set fractures, and bathed babies. Students visited AIDS victims and their families, climbed the volcano, and swam in the lake. After Dr. Bristol arrived, the team visited a widow’s colony and a Pentecostal neighborhood church. We sang African songs and attended a wedding.

Goma is a unique place. The ground is covered in lava in many parts of town. There is electricity for only a few hours a day and the water must be filtered for drinking. Traffic is a nightmare…small “buses,” big and small cars (mostly Toyotas), pedestrians, and “motos”, (small motorcycle cabs that take people anywhere.) The Southern Cross dominates the night sky. It rains several times a week, and geckos climb the garden walls. Oh…and goat does NOT taste like chicken!

Saying “goodbye” was very hard. The students still communicate with some of the staff via the internet. A team of students plans to return this summer under the direction of Krista and a member of the nursing faculty. We praise God for the opportunity we have to share our skills and God’s love with our Christian brothers and sisters in this very special NGO in the DR Congo. Pray for the team as they form and prepare to go, and for the work that continues with the people in and around Goma.