Work the World Sri Lanka 2018 - Leonora King

Nursing has been a lifelong dream of mine and combined with a passion for travelling and experiencing different cultures, providing healthcare to people in a developing country seems a natural step. Im a student nurse in my 1st year at the University of Gloucestershire and have the amazing opportunity of spending 6 weeks in Sri Lanka on my nursing elective in June 2018. I will be based in the historical city of Anuradhapura in the North of Sri Lanka. Nursing in Anuradhapura will provide me with the opportunity to gain experience in a hospital with limited resources and expose me to a number of diseases which are rare or non-existent in the UK. Malaria, Typhoid, Dengue Fever, Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis are all prevalent in Sri Lanka. Ill have the chance to work across multiple departments such as ICU, obstetrics and gynaecology, general medicine, general surgery and oncology. I will spend my final week in a remote village learning about the ancient art of Ayurveda or tree medicine. With the help of a master healer, I will get the chance to create Ayurvedic medicines from plants and barks found in the jungle. As well as working long hours in the hospital, I will be learning Sinhalese so that Im able to communicate with patients and staff who know little English and also face the challenge of using the fewer resources available to help treat many people. This all comes at a cost and I will need to pay for my flights, accommodation, travel insurance and vaccinations. Im not looking to make any profit from this, I am enthusiastic and eager to learn about the healthcare system in Sri Lanka. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to a country with a lower standard of healthcare than the UK. Any donations would be greatly appreciated and a share on facebook goes a long way. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.