IFAH PROJECTS

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Gambia Residency/March 2008

In IFAH’s first year as a student organization at UF, the 2007-2008 school year, seven IFAH members traveled to the Gambia, West Africa in March 2008 to carry out a 10-day residency at the Royal Victorian Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul, the capitol city of the Gambia.  Under the guidance of Jill Sonke-Henderson, co-founder and co-director of CAHRE, and Cindy Nelly, a well-traveled labor and delivery nurse at Shands Hospital, the students gained cultural awareness and appreciation while spending time with patients at RVTH, painting a mural at the Caring Hands Health Centre in Kubuneh Village, exchanging dance and art at Maali’s Music School, and experiencing daily life in The Gambia. Overcoming language and cultural barriers, the students were able to create a connection with patients through the creative process.  Additionally, the group brought approximately 1,000 lbs. of art and medical supplies as well as handmade art kits to distribute to RVTH and among other communities.

For more information on AIM for Africa, click here.