My name is Jemima Golding and I am currently in my second year studying Adult Nursing at the University of Manchester. In 2019 I will graduate as a qualified nurse and then plan on pursuing a degree in midwifery afterwards. From an early age I have always known that I wanted to follow a career in the healthcare profession. As a second year Nursing student I have seen a lot whilst being on various placements in Manchester including community nursing, surgical and medical wards.

I want to expand my knowledge and skills whilst experiencing how healthcare varies worldwide, which is why I have decided to do this. Work the world is an organisation that supports individuals who want to undertake placements in developing countries. In the Summer of 2018, I will be going to Sri Lanka, Kandy for 3 weeks. I will be going with one of my best friends and fellow nursing student, Erin, and we will be placed on an obstetrics and gynaecology unit. This consists of an antenatal ward, postnatal ward, labour ward as well as high dependency and recovery. There is also a special-care baby unit and neonatal intensive care too. As student nurses we are volunteering here, assisting in both pre and postnatal care, working with healthcare professionals in the hospitals. With over 1000 deliveries every month and 30 deliveries on an average day, there’s no doubt we will be kept on our toes.

Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with 99% of these maternal deaths occurring in developing countries. Almost all of these deaths occurred in low-resource settings and could have been prevented (WHO, 2016). This high number of maternal deaths reflects the inequalities and poor access to health care. Women die as a result of complications which occur during and following childbirth. An example of some major complications includes severe bleeding after childbirth, infections and unsafe abortions.

As most maternal deaths are preventable, it is possible to save lives. Providing women with access to antenatal care, skilled care during childbirth and support in the weeks following birth. With 2.6 million babies born stillborn, and 2.7 million new-born deaths in 2015, this number could be severely reduced by having a health professional present at birth.

I have created this Just Giving Page in the hope that it will help me to raise some funds to go towards this trip! All in all, I need to fundraise over £2500 which will include my accommodation, flights, vaccinations as well as food. I plan to raise a vast majority myself, by working during holidays as well as Christmas and personal savings. I will also be doing a number of fundraising events throughout the year, but I would be so grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small.

If you have any questions about the trip you can email me at jemima.golding@hotmail.co.uk