World Youth International

The Nepali people are something else. Living in the village we were welcomed into homes, introduced to every daughter and son, accompanied home by the school children every day followed by knocks on our door wanting to play. I can easily say I’ve never experienced so much kindness and selflessness in my life.

We saw cases that we’ll never forget and I couldn’t help but think what their outcomes would be like if they were my neighbour back in Australia. A reminder to be thankful for all that I have.

We ran education for youth groups, women’s groups, sex workers and community groups. We sat and we spoke. We provided education on UTI’s, STI’s, cancer screening, menstruation, basic first aid and CPR. Covering a lot of topics that are unspoken about and very misunderstood in Nepali Culture.

We made it and I can’t wait to give up a bed, a shower and running water to do it all again.

I was in awe of their nursing expertise – it is too easy to assume (falsely) that because Australia has a ‘superior’ health system to Kenya, that our nursing knowledge and skills are superior as well. The education went both ways and I love that WYI has made such a difference to the lives of the people of Odede and the surrounding villages with this program.

Taking time out of the daily grind and immersing yourself in another culture and at the same time giving something back to the world has been one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. Changed me forever!