Oakton students help with medical care in Nicaragua

More than 20 Oakton Community College students recently made a difference for Nicaraguans who lack basic health care and in the process changed their perspective on how they view their own lives.

Oakton's Students for Global Health and Sustainability Club went to Central America at the end of last semester. They stayed in hostels, slept in bunk beds and went without television and air conditioning-making a few sacrifices in comfort in order to provide essential medical care for nearly 1,000 people without health services. "I will never forget all the smiling faces I saw," said Dennis Estorco, a Skokie resident and former Oakton nursing student. "The trip made me appreciate what I do have and although it was exhausting, it was definitely worth it!"

Oakton student volunteers, many of whom spoke Spanish, had the opportunity to practice their language skills and health care training. They shadowed licensed doctors in medical consultations and assisted in a pharmacy under the direction of licensed pharmacists and also took patient history and vitals in triage settings. In addition, students taught proper hygiene and the importance of exercise to patients.

Fellow volunteer and Oakton student Alex Daemicke, now attending Rush University, agreed that the trip was life changing. "After seeing families of five or more living in a house with a dirt floor and roof made of tarps, I have a new idea of what it means to live simply," he said. "The trip not only changed the way I think about how I spend my money, but also what I find important in life."

Oakton's Students for Global Health and Sustainability Club formed in 2015 with the mission of empowering communities in developing countries with viable solutions that improve their quality of life. In order for the students to go on the nine-day-trip, they had to personally raise a minimum of $1,500. They achieved their fund raising goals through numerous coffee and bake sales on the Oakton campuses.

"We all live on the same planet and so we hope to keep this organization growing and to do more health care service trips. There is always interest in helping those who live in poverty," said Christine Feighery, Oakton nursing professor who served as an advisor for the group and accompanied the students to Nicaragua.. "No one complained while we were there because we were so busy. I was simply amazed at the maturity of our group. We all worked well as a team."

Feighery added, "It was a challenge, but it was hard to say good-bye to all the good people we met. I'll never forget when we were leaving a man hugged me and told me how much he appreciated us."

Although many of the club members have graduated, current student Stephanie Rousset of Chicago said the organization plans to continue creating awareness of the issues related to global poverty and health care. "We want to build a sense of social responsibility among students and continue fundraising at the college," said Rousset.

The Oakton club was invited to Nicaragua by Global Brigades, one of the largest student-led nonprofit organizations for health and sustainable developmental.