I have just returned from three weeks at Kiwoko Hospital for my nursing elective, and what an incredible experience it was! I am so grateful for your financial support, as it enabled me to grow in my faith and serve within a hospital community that seeks to glorify King Jesus. It was my first time travelling solo outside of Europe, so naturally I felt quite apprehensive. However, from the moment I was collected at the airport by one of the hospital drivers, I felt so welcomed and knew it was going to be a wonderful few weeks.

Kiwoko Hospital is almost 40 years old and was founded by Ian Clarke and his family following a period of devastation during the Ugandan Civil War. It has since grown into a 250-bed hospital, including a NICU, operating theatres, and a newly built private suite. They employ many knowledgeable and well-trained staff who are happy to explain the different conditions and corresponding treatments available. I found it especially interesting spending time in the paediatric ward as there were many conditions which I had never seen before in the UK – sickle cell anaemia, malaria, tuberculosis and malnutrition. I realised that since the healthcare was not free there had to be a balance made between providing the necessary treatment for the patient, while keeping the cost low enough that the family would be able to pay. It was a wake-up call to how thankful I should be that we never have to make the decision between accepting necessary hospital treatment or paying for our next meal.

Each morning began with chapel at 8am, where staff, students, and the wider team gathered for praise and worship. I found this incredibly encouraging - to see staff offering up the work of their hands to a God who is faithful to heal and sustain them through their busy and demanding days. One of the anaesthetic nurses, Becky, invited me to choir practice on Sunday evening, which I absolutely loved. It was a great opportunity to get to know members of the community in a smaller setting, as well as to practise songs for the week ahead.

I was particularly impacted by how clearly prayer played such an important role in every part of hospital life. Doctors’ meetings would often conclude with prayer, and before surgery, prayers were said for wisdom and skill for the clinicians, as well as peace for the patient. I had the opportunity to pray alongside student nurses for a young mother before she underwent an emergency caesarean section. It was a powerful reminder that God is ultimately in control, and that we are called to live out the hospital’s motto: “We treat… Jesus heals.”

One of the most challenging aspects of my time there was coming to terms with the frequency of neonatal death in the hospital and surrounding clinics. Having previously spent time in a NICU in the UK, I was struck by how limited the facilities are in Uganda. The NICU at Kiwoko is recognised as a centre of excellence, with high standard equipment, and staff who are deeply committed to providing holistic care for both mothers and newborns. However, access to machines such as ventilators is extremely limited and costly, meaning that many premature babies are unable to survive despite every effort. It was deeply heartbreaking to see mothers being told their premature baby will not be able to survive. At the same time, it was comforting to know that mothers were supported both physically and spiritually and were offered the hope found in Jesus.

One of my favourite parts of life in Kiwoko was the friendships I formed during my stay. Buying rolex and fizzy drinks with the local children, playing games like tag and having water fights, chatting with student nurses in theatre, and buying matoke on warm evenings all made my time so enjoyable - and made saying goodbye even harder. Getting to know the other medical students staying at the same time was also a real highlight, with many good conversations, card game evenings, and morning runs filling our free time. We also managed to fit in a safari at Murchison falls!

Spending these weeks immersed in the Kiwoko community taught me so much. It challenged me to reflect on how often I bring things to God in prayer, especially when it comes to praying for the healing of patients - not only physically, but spiritually too. It reminded me that no task is insignificant; whether performing life-saving resuscitation or simply taking time to listen to a patient’s concerns, all of it is meaningful when done for God’s glory. As it says in Psalm 115, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.”

Having experienced a healthcare system that is the primary access point for so many people in Uganda, I return to the NHS with a renewed sense of gratitude for the resources and funding we have, rather than frustration at its challenges. I also feel motivated to work hard in my studies, continuing to develop my knowledge and skills so that wherever I am called to serve in the future, I can be an asset to the team and bring joy to my work. God has been so faithful to me throughout this experience, and I can truly say He has blessed me far more than I could ever deserve. From the peace He gave me in travelling, to the protection and welcome I experienced at Kiwoko, I can say with the psalmist in Psalm 13: “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”