March 9, 2015

Undergraduate nursing students Rachel Pagano, Natalie Gaura, Stephanie Carroll, and Lauren Washington traveled with Professor Brian Fasolka to Nicaragua between the summer and fall academic quarters. The Drexel group volunteered for Project Limon, a health and wellness program sponsored by the Foundation for the International Medical Relief of Children. During this eight-day trip, the students assisted in the daily operations of several free-care clinics.  Students performed screenings and triage at pediatric and prenatal clinics. The students also developed a pre-ecclampsia educational session which they presented to the pregnant women of the community. The students spent one entire day traveling to multiple elementary schools throughout the region to provide lice education and screenings. Additionally, the Drexel group spent one day at a public hospital observing in the emergency department and operating room

The Drexel group primarily served the village of Las Salinas, a rural region of Nicaragua, which is plagued by poverty and has very limited access to health care. The nearest hospital is a one-hour drive away. The region is slowly beginning to benefit from the tourism industry as the local beach, Playa Santana, has become a popular destination for surfers. The coastline along Playa Santana provided picturesque views, and a breathtaking sunset was observed over the Pacific Ocean each night.

While the majority of the trip was spent delivering health care, some time was allotted for recreational activities and sightseeing. The Drexel group enjoyed a sunset horseback ride on the beach, toured the colonial city of Granada and completed a zipline tour down Mombacho Volcano. This trip to Nicaragua was an exciting journey and learning experience. Any health science student interested in an international learning experience should consider volunteering for Project Limon in Nicaragua.