Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 34 : Fall 2017 | Page 69

UMFK Students Participate in International Relief Mission
Recently, 14 nursing students from the University of Maine at Fort Kent flew to
Costa Rica to assist in the medical care of Nicaraguan refugees staying in there.
The UMFK student group, Partners for International Relief (PIR), coordinated the
trip with the international humanitarian group, Foundation for International
Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC).
“While the U.S. is temporarily closing its borders to refugees, Costa Rica —
considered a leader in the treatment of refugees — has been accepting more,”
according to U.S. News & World Report. “Most of these refugees... are fleeing
increasing violence in their home countries.”
Due to political and economic unrest in the region, many are displaced and
without proper medical care. Upon learning this, PIR began to take steps
to participate in this humanitarian effort. They put the word out amongst
students to seek interest in assisting and the response was wonderful. Students
could participate in the mission trip as part of a class called, “Global Health &
Humanitarianism,” or simply as a UMFK student volunteer.
“President Short has challenged [UMFK students] to be active global ambassadors
and to try to affect change in the world,” said Duane Belanger, UMFK nursing
student and PIR president. “This was one way that we sought to do that.”
Nursing students worked with families on health education and proper hand-
washing techniques. They also assisted in lice removal and activities for adults
with disabilities.
“It is incumbent upon us as future nurses to act in the best interest of our patients
to help them meet their goals no matter who they are or where they are from,”
said Belanger. “One thing we have learned is that the patient should be the center
of our universe.”
1(207) 834-7500
www.umfk.edu