I retired from Nursing (for the first time) at the end of 2005 and within 3 months I started looking for something to give my life meaning again. My neighbour told me about a new organization that was forming with the purpose of aiding orphans in Africa. That organization was the Kingston Grandmother Connection.

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Way back in 1982 I had wanted to go to Africa when Camp Kingston was established in Ethiopia but I had two very small children at the time so it wasn’t practical. I then decided in 2008 to contact Peg Herbert from Help Lesotho and offered to assist in her good work.

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Peg was not in need of a nurse, but she did require someone to teach Excel to the office staff in Hlotse so I taught myself Excel in 4 weeks and off I went for a 6week adventure that was overwhelming, difficult, yet rewarding. I was fortunate to meet many Basotho who were struggling to make ends meet and were dealing with the AIDs epidemic with courage and even good humour. I learned that patience is a requirement if you want to be accepted in the Basotho community. I am a pretty direct person so being sociable for 5-10 minutes before asking for what I required was a real challenge and I’m afraid I didn’t always succeed in doing it!  But I also saw firsthand what someone with the skills and determination of Peg Herbert can accomplish. She is truly an amazing individual.

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When I returned to Canada, I continued to be involved with KGC because it was also doing such good work. But I had been bitten by the desire to return to Africa and assist, so over the next 8 years, I joined 3 other organizations on 14 trips to Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, but mostly to Tanzania. I worked as a volunteer nurse in hospitals where none of the equipment was disposable and where gloves were so precious that they were washed and reused. I learned that the reason why patients always have a family member stay with them to bring them food and provide much of their care is because AIDs also had a major impact on the number of healthcare workers available.

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Oral medications were left with the patient and they were instructed on when and how much to take—yikes! With decent nutrition and good cleansing, I watched wounds heal magically. I saw many births and also some deaths. I worked in mobile health clinics and I was there when people received the diagnosis of AIDs and watched as many were rejected by their family.

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I worked closely with the local nurses and doctors and learned a lot. I diagnosed my first case of leprosy with the assistance of a local nurse and also sickle cell anemia in a very young child. I saw a boy whose father wanted to know what was wrong with his son’s leg and when I pulled up his pant leg found a bone sticking out of his skin that had broken more than 2 years previously and never been treated. But I also was privileged to see the dignity and pride and amazing sense of family that these people display.

Because of these memories and many more, I continue to belong to the Kingston Grandmother Connection. And also, because I am always amazed and energized by the dedication and drive of the women who are involved in this organization.

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I haven’t been able to return to Africa for a few years now due to some health issues. I miss it. But I now have 4 grandchildren of my own to keep me busy and stimulated intellectually. I sing in two local choirs which is soul-fulfilling for me. And I spend a lot of time outdoors watching my garden grow and listening to the birds.