Laois nursing student volunteers in Zambia with Irish healthcare charity
Nursing student Emma Killeen from Portlaoise has travelled to Zambia as part of “i4Life” volunteer programme.
Portlaoise native Emma Killeen, a general nursing student at the University of Galway, recently travelled to Lusaka, Zambia, alongside classmates Nicole Nolan from Roscommon, Tara Gillespie and Ella McHugh From Mayo, and Tara Costello from Galway.
The group, who have just completed their second year of general nursing are volunteering with i4Life, an Irish non-profit organisation that works in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Health to provide sustainable primary healthcare services in Zambia.
Speaking about the experience, Emma said volunteering had always been a goal for her since starting her nursing degree in Galway.
“Ever since I started nursing I knew I wanted to volunteer abroad to help those who truly need it, and grow as a nurse,” she said.
Zambia faces a range of healthcare challenges, including high levels of malnutrition, limited access to trained healthcare professionals and barriers to basic health services. Through its work, i4Life provides preventative care, health education and clinical support to communities in need.
The students endured a nearly 24-hour journey, travelling from Dublin to Luskaka with stops in Heathrow and Johannesburg.
“We flew from Dublin to Heathrow, then to Johannesburg, before getting on our last flight to Zambia,” Emma explained.
The group is based in the Linda Compound, Lusaka, where they are working five days a week in the i4Life clinic.
Their duties include operating a nutrition clinic, malnutrition screenings, and helping young mothers learn how to provide adequate care for their children. They will also be carrying out home visits to support mothers and newborn babies.
Before departing, the students launched fundraising campaigns to cover travel costs, vaccinations, insurance and volunteer placement fees, while also supporting the community health programmes. Together, the girls raised a combined €11,807 through GoFundMe.
“We are still settling in and getting used to the new culture, but it’s all going well so far,” Emma said. “The locals are so kind and working in the clinic has been an eye opening experience.”
The students will continue their work in Zambia over the coming weeks, returning home in time to continue their studies at University of Galway.