PINCC Teen Volunteer, Sujata

Sujata wrote an essay in response to the following question,

Discuss your involvement in and contributions to a community near your home, school or elsewhere. Please select an experience different from the one you discussed in the previous question, even if this experience also involved leadership. What did you accomplish? How did this experience influence your goals?  1000 words or less.

Sujata Mapchan's response,

Preventing Cervical Cancer (PINCC) is a non-profit organization, which helps women around the world to prevent and cervical cancer.  They provide medication, educate the communities and train healthcare workers to save women’s lives.  Some of the countries PINCC has been involved in are:  Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Nicaragua, India, Peru and many more.


More than 800 women die EACH DAY from a preventable disease.  Nonetheless, PINCC is fighting to change this.  With PINCC’s support, many women have been cured, almost 10,000 have been treated and won’t get cervical cancer and die!.  Hearing about PINCC and all the stories about women’s lives being saved, I HAD to be part of this amazing organization!  With the help of a family friend, I started volunteering with PINCC.


One of the things that is unique about PINCC, in my experience, is that they are primarily a training organization.  Volunteer doctors and nurses go to other countries and provide service, but mostly what they are doing is training local nurses and midwives to do this work.  Then PINCC returns to each clinic every 6 months, checks their record keeping, reviews patients and increases the level of training.  After about a year and a half, the medical practitioners are almost self-sufficient in doing this work!


PINCC has different events, time to time, each year, to fundraise to buy medical equipment in order to keep women from dying every day.  I have been volunteering at different events over many years to help PINCC’s staff get ready for their trips.  Each year we have collected money which is very useful when it comes to saving someone’s life.  PINCC has not saved every woman who is diagnosed with cervical cancer, but they are hoping to save many of the women, by training healthcare workers in each country they have been to.  By providing education, less women will die because of this cancer.

Sujata's response,

I have been a volunteer at PINCC from middle school, up until now.  Every year, hearing that PINCC is going to different countries, has given me more reason to continue volunteering.  I have always wanted to help different types of people in some way, and by being involved with PINCC I have accomplished this because we have fundraised a lot of money, and more people are getting involved with the organization.


When I first went to help PINCC, I was somewhat shy.  I didn’t feel very confident in my skills to contribute and wasn’t used to talking to adults whom I didn’t know.  The more I volunteered here, I felt more comfortable, and became more out-going.  I have received a lot of support from the people at PINCC.  I feel like they like me, and appreciate my help, that they don’t want to judge me and so I am more out-going.  Working with PINCC has exposed me to lots of new people, all of whom are helping improve the world.


I want to be able to keep on volunteering with PINCC because it is saving so many lives.  So far, I have worked at their Annual Walk-a-Thon for 4 years.  This raises money for their work in Africa.  I go to their Packing Parties, where we count and pack medical supplies that will go on their work trips.  I have worked at the High-Tea fundraiser for 3 years, which provides money for their South and Central America clinics.


Since I have learned more about the work PINCC does, I have encouraged my friends to volunteer also.  My friends have enjoyed it, and we have all been glad to be contributing our time to this worthy organization.  By seeing what important work this non-profit can do, it reinforces my commitment to getting a college education and being of service to my community and the world.

Volunteer Story, by Gretchen Woelfle

Fun and Games in Kenya

People have adopted a solemn tone when asking me about my Kenya PINCC adventure.  They tend to be surprised when I say, “It was really fun!”  I think they expected “difficult” or “eye-opening” or “inspiring.” But my first reaction has been “fun”  -- and I’m quick to elaborate.

It was a new experience for non-medical me to work with a great team of American doctors and nurses, hearing their stories and watching them teach their African colleagues to screen for cervical cancer and treat abnormal results. Never before had I supplied and check all the curious bits and pieces they needed each day in the examination rooms. I even enjoyed the five-step process of washing speculums.

But best of all were my interactions with patients: interviewing the English-speaking patients who came for screening – nearly all for the first time ever – and comforting them during their exams and treatments.  I viewed a few cervixes, even a frozen one during cryotherapy. I used illustrated charts to explain to patients about HPV, testing, etc., and I learned the results of the exams when I entered the data into our computer.

Getting a glimpse of Kenyan village life, walking down roads and lanes past small homesteads in the early evenings while attracting a Pied Piper-esque entourage of children, seeing the local medical staff beam as they received their PINCC certifications to continue our work – it was all part of the fun.

I spent two evenings speaking to several groups of schoolchildren in Nyabondo.  Two overflowing classrooms of girls listened enthusiastically as I talked about my work as a children’s author.  After I read my latest book, Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence, about an 18^th century Massachusetts slave who won her freedom, they had good comments and questions.  And I was mobbed in a most friendly way when I stood among them for a photo op.  The next evening I gave a similar presentation to a group of ten boys in the Rehabilitation Centre, a home for disabled young people. These were thrilling experiences that added to my sense of fun during the two weeks.

And the games: Carol Cruikshank, our program director, led those most days, culminating in a wild balloon popping session on our final day. Yes, Kenya with PINCC was eye-opening and inspiring, and occasionally a bit difficult, but the pure pleasure of the work surprised and delighted me.

 by Gretchen Woelfle

#GivingTuesday Thanks for your support

Spread the word about PINCC and #GivingTuesday on December 1st.  Thanks for the support!

#GivingTuesday starts after the shopping frenzy of Cyber Monday and Black Friday with a simple message: Ordinary people can come together and do extraordinary things. It is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.  

Cervical Cancer is a highly preventable disease and Preventing Cervical Cancer, PINCC, has been at the forefront of prevention efforts through the education of healthcare workers on the ground in under-resourced regions.  We are creating a world that cares for women and their families.  

Awesome Trainees in Ethiopia

I am in Addis for a couple days after a week without internet. Or running water. The trainees at the Begi clinic were extraordinary. I am amazed at what they can accomplish with such limited resources. The trainees at Gimbi have already organized their own clinic. I am inspired by the men and women at both sites, their brilliance and their commitment to the health care of the women in their communities is awesome-that is the only word which even comes close.
By Jan Lecklickner
 

What did you learn this week? From Ethiopia

13 year old volunteer Keiran interviewed several people about what was the most important thing each learned this week:

Roza, Equaan, Keiran

Dr. Victor, medical director of Gimbi Adventist Hospital:  the great job PINCC did, how it impacted the poor rural community of Gimbi.

PINCC MP Michele:  learning about people's role here at the hospital and Gimbi.

PINCC Dr. Vamini:  I enjoyed meeting the people and learning about the culture.

PINCC support volunteer Equaan:  the beauty of the people and history of the country.

Local volunteer, HIV tester Roza: Many things like SCJ and biopsy, HIV test.

by Keiran Albert

A Trainee Story from Gimbi, Ethiopia

Egidaye and Mary in Gimbi, Ethiopia

Engidaye is a nurse in the PINCC training program at the Adventist Hospital in Gimbi Ethiopia.  She also has a beautiful singing voice.At morning devotionals that begin every day at Gimbi , she sings wonderful hymns.  She also does "Happy Birthday"  in three languages.  Engidaye is one of several excellent students in the program.   

by Eric Jacobsen

Letter to Friends, Kenya Trip Oct 2015

Dear Wonderful All,

Hope you have each arrived swiftly and comfortably at your next destinations.

I am happy to report that my luggage and I made it safely back home to SF, where I headed straight for a hot shower and some Vietnamese Pho.   I ended up responding to a medical emergency while on the flight from Amsterdam today.  Fortunately, this occurred within 1-2 hours of landing, and the patient was stable enough to make it to the ambulance awaiting him at the gate.  But, I couldn't help but think of how uncanny it was after weeks of hearing all of your stories about putting on your call light during these "events".  One more to add to the list. 

Thank you all again for making this an enriching and inspiring trip.  It is really an honor to share meaningful work with a group of such capable, generous, well-informed, world-traveling women!  I will be thinking of each of you and the transitions that may come this year.  

Carol - a million times over, you are magnificent and completely irreplaceable in all that you do.  Thank you!!  Sending good luck your way for Ethiopia.  

Missing you all!!

Kim

A Volunteers View in Kenya

The reality of leaving sets in as the final days of clinic come to a close.  It will be hard to leave this place, this country, this rural life.  I enjoy the purity of our daily routine and the natural rhythm of rising and working, without other distractions or influences. These are straightforward days, with quality time to spend with each person before me, space to experience a woman so different from me, and time to devote ourselves to the health of our patients.  The simplicity of human interaction here is sweet and comforting. 

Although it comes with the territory of travel, I find that I will miss the small things - freshly made hospital lunches of chapati, ugali, soups and sukumawiki, tea breaks with my team, doing my laundry while I shower.  How wonderful it was to work hard seeing patients all day then enjoy an evening stroll along the single road of town, or makeshift yoga outside in the gazebo. I will miss waking to the tropical birds, bountiful green lush valley, and the ride through town as everyone gets moving to start the day.  I'll miss the bustilng rough and rugged roads lined with boda bodas, matatus, and cargo loaded on to tractors, bikes, carts or anything with wheels; goats, cows and chickens meandering, and the joyful faces of children strolling along the roadside.  

More than anything, what I will miss most about Kenya is the fellowship.  It is nice to feel welcomed as part of a community, even if we are only temporary guests.  As a team, our PINCC group has been a warm and supportive place to debrief after a challenging case or difficult diagnosis, brainstorm ideas for the days ahead, or ponder Carol's "question of the day".  I admire the talents and expertise of this hardworking team.  This trip has been a special place to share the skills of our trade of caring for women, and it is a blessing to be able to nurture our passion for medicine with so many others devoted to this cause. 

by Kimberlee Honda, Family Nurse Practitioner.  This was my first PINCC trip! 

PINCC in Nyabondo and Muhoroni, Kenya

We have just completed our work in the small towns of Nyabondo and Muhoroni.  Our trainees have been exceptional -  sharp, adaptable, eager to learn.  By seeing as many patients as they could over the course of a week, they have built solid skills in VIA, a few certifying in cryotherapy and LEEP.  They are warm and kind as they teach their patients the importance of cervical cancer screening or how to do a self breast exam, and they take time to connect with each patient, caring for them as if they were family members.  I am especially impressed by the caliber of our Kenyan nursing colleagues, many of whom bring years of career experience not only diagnosing and treating patients, but simultaneously managing the ward, covering administrative duties, processing labs, and providing outreach and case management.    

Each day, with headlamps donned, we stocked and set up our five clinic rooms, careful to make our few precious linens, instruments, and supplies last.  Women arrived by busload from neighboring villages, sometimes traveling overnight to reach our clinic.  All day they sat and waited patiently to be screened - quiet, stoic, but with enthusiastic eyes.  Each woman was eager to enter our simple, sweltering exam room, for her turn to learn the results about her screening exam.  Some received news that they would need further treatment that day, while a few were found to have advanced cancer.  But I will never forget the relief and excitement of the majority of the women screened who received the much anticipated news that they do not have any signs of cervical cancer.  Many of these women would go on to tell friends, sisters, aunts and coworkers to come for VIA screening for the very first time.  

by  Kimberlee Honda, Family Nurse Practitioner.  This was my first PINCC trip! 

At St. Joseph's Hospital in Nyabondo, Kenya

After many days of travel, we finally arrived in Nyabondo, and were able to start work. The nurses seem eager to polish their VIA skills, and the patients are happy to be seen. Day one went well- we saw 30 patients and expect to see many more tomorrow. Area health care workers helped to spread the word of our visit, and mobilize patients from surrounding areas to take the bus in to see us. This is so amazing and important, as only one woman I saw today had ever had cervical screening done before. We finished the day with a walk around town and a delicious dinner, and then off to bed so that we can do it again tomorrow. 

October 12th, 2015. 

From Daisy Grochowski, Certified Nurse Mid-Wife

Words from Kenya

 MONDAY, OCT 19TH,
 
Several new worlds have opened up for me in a week.  

1) The lovely landscape of Kenya.  
2) Peeking into the world of medicine (not my profession) and eavesdropping on the conversations of a superb group of doctors and nurses, speaking an intriguing new language (for me.) 
3) Working with warm, friendly, lively Kenyan doctors, nurses, and patients in Nyabondo last week, and Muhoroni this week. 

An added bonus: giving some author talks to the liveliest group of schoolgirls I've ever met!  (I'm a children's author.) 
I've barely begun to process what it all means.

From Gretchen Woelfle 

Last Thursday in León

Thursday, June 25th

How could fifty patients feel like less then forty four?  Probably because of the extra exam area (we have started running five exam rooms) and the fewer procedures.  Today only one LEEP, I think only three or four cryotherapies.

We switched around rooms, and everyone had fun, as far as I could tell.  I enjoy the heat and kept up on fluids, as I believe everyone has learned to do.  The small room was hot, but had a fan (always a plus).  Helping with a LEEP was great fun for me.  The vacuum worked well for clearing the smoke after it was well charged the night before.

The OB /GYN  residents stayed with us.  One had a test to take and left for some hours.  They unfortunately only have one day with us.  They are gynecology residents, and have seen colposcopies, but starting over each day with a new set, making sure they understand PINCC, takes a bit of time.

The nurse trainees and the one general physician are really enthusiastic, and very good.
Friday has almost arrived.

Dr. Carol Kimball, Family Medicine, PINCC volunteer in León, Nicaragua

Leon, Nicaragua on Wednesday,

Leon, Nicaragua, June 24, 2015

 
Wednesday:

On the way back from the Beach--it's only 7:15pm and it feels like midnight because it is dark and Nuria is exhausted --some didn't make it to the beach.
The day started more typically.  We had several patients waiting at 8am, no one was missing giving a talk, and we had nurses, a general physician and OB/GYN resident trainees.   There were three women needing  LEEP and five or six cryo's.  Perhaps forty patients total.  Dr. Ilana Addis Medical Director,  was running around checking all abnormal exams. We got enough behind because the LEEP room was used for LEEP that we came up with a fifth exam area in the air conditioned room.
Our goal was clear: teach, help people, and be ready for the beach by 4pm.  A few stayed behind, too exhausted to go.
So after seeing several adorable dogs, a beached puffer fish, and amazing waves of warm water and eating great seafood, we are heading back to León.  The bus too noisy with chatting for anyone to answer the question: What do you want the blog to say?
Dr. Carol Kimball, Family Medicine, PINCC volunteer in León, Nicaragua

León Clinic

Photos:
the León, Nicaragua Clinic

From: Madelene Todel