I am Charlotte Bratt, a second-year adult nursing student at the University of central Lancashire. On the 8th of September, this year (2018), I will be flying to Tanzania in Africa for one month. I will be undertaking an elective nursing placement, which will consist of working within one of the main hospitals as well as reaching out to small rural communities. I will be travelling with Work the World, a company that has culture and skill exchange directly at its heart. They aim to not only further our clinical and nursing skills in the local hospitals, but also offer finance and much needed medical equipment for those struggling in remote communities. Furthermore, employing the locals to help run the programmes ensures investment in the community on a direct level.

On qualification I hope to specialise in emergency nursing/ trauma. I am aiming specifically to spend time within the accident and emergency department in Tanzania, as well as paediatrics. Within these areas resources are low, time is limited and clinical judgement is heavily relied upon. I am hoping to share some of my knowledge by skill exchange with the medical teams in order to help benefit the lives of the locals. For a week I will be based within clinics in rural communities. These clinics deliver life saving vaccinations, HIV screening, as well as monitoring children to ensure they are developing correctly, as just a few examples. Personally I am hoping to obtain an experience that I will be humbled but inspired by and can carry into my future career as a nurse.

‘A placement in a developing country can contribute enormously to both a student's degree and their chosen career. It offers the opportunity to experience how healthcare is delivered in an under-resourced environment. Students will gain a deeper understanding of things like rare communicable diseases and gain new skills treating advanced pathologies’ - Alasdair Thompson, Senior Elective Consultant at Work the World

Any money donated will be going towards the costs of my placement within the hospital and communities. Any extra that is raised will be used to provide basic medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, as well as everyday items to local schools and orphanages. Thank you to any sponsors, I am eternally grateful for your support! Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.