What are your favourite memories of the programme?
My most meaningful memories were the human ones. The laughter between local nurses and the quiet strength of patients who faced immense challenges with grace. It reminded me that nursing is as much about presence and humanity as it is about science. I never once felt like an outsider or that my then-limited clinical skills were useless. It was a great experience.
On the social side, I made friends for life in my volunteer house. None of us would have naturally met or got to know each other, but for this small moment in our lives that absolutely transformed most of us.
Each of us had a story. My mum had died 24 months earlier, others were starting over in their lives, some were searching for something… But we shared those four weeks and created our own fun, swapping stories, debating, making dance videos, stumbling through Arusha and through life. It was excellent. Outside of the volunteer house, I met locals I remain friends with or now work with 10 years later.
It clearly made a huge impression…
Yes. On my flight back to Heathrow, I was already planning my return. It took me a month to come down from the high of my visit. I knew something had happened to me, but I had no idea my life had just taken a profound turn.
What were the key lessons you learnt there?
The biggest lesson I learned was that quality care does not depend on perfect conditions, but on people’s will to serve. I’ve spent my subsequent career in Medi Trip trying to share this same message.
Humility, adaptability and empathy became central to how I define professionalism and I can’t escape from that view. In the real world, people who care deeply are the true innovators. They find solutions because they want to and because they have no other choice.
I also learned that it’s OK to go against the grain, and use your skills, education, experience or passion in a way that is not typical.