Encouraging Students to Think about Future Careers

Original Post From 11/23/2019
Updated 8/31/2020

Students at Graceland International School and in the various Kafanchan schools are encouraged to think about their futures. What interests do they have? What opportunities do they have for going on to college or university? How should they best prepare to fulfill their goals? ​

In order to help students think about their futures, the curriculum is supplemented with some practical advice on careers. 

One of the teachers at Graceland International School has taken a small group of  students on a tour of the adjoining Graceland Hospital, giving them an opportunity to investigate possible careers in a variety of medical fields.  Students spent time at the hospital during a community outreach, viewing intake procedures and visiting the lab, pharmacy, and exam rooms.  They now have a better idea of what various careers in medicine might look like. 

This group of young students from Graceland International School, accompanied by their teacher,  paid a visit to the adjoining Graceland Hospital.   These young people have all expressed an interest in pursuing medicine as a career. Their enterprising teacher arranged for them to visit the hospital during the week of a special medical outreach by our sister organization, Kateri Medical Services. ​A team of medical professionals from Connecticut along with a team of Nigerian medical professionals came together to provide free medical care at Graceland Hospital from November 4-8.  More than 1500 patients were treated for a variety of ailments.

Keen observers
The students were keen observers as every aspect of the outreach was explained to them. They were able to watch the patient processes for triage and examinations.  They visited the lab to witness blood draws and sampe testing.  In addition, a trip to the pharmacy gave students an idea of the variety of drugs used for different illnesses.  

Compassion and respect
One of the most valuable aspects of the students’ visit was witnessing first hand the compassion shown all patients by medical staff, regardless of tribe, religion, or background.  In an area where cultural differences often lead to conflict, this was an important learning experience for these young people.  

The Graceland name
Sharing the Graceland name for both the school and the hospital has emphasized the importance of combining education and health care.  Students from the school have access to a variety of learning experiences in the health fields.  Patients coming to the hospital have a full view of the school’s three buildings teeming with students.  This facility is meeting the needs of many, helping to bring the community together.

“Thank you, you Christians in Gusau, you have actually changed my perception that I was having about Christianity . . . and Christians." - Comment from a Muslim parent to Bishop John

Letter from Bishop John Danbinta.
At the conclusion of the medical outreach, Bishop John wrote a letter to Fr. Tom Furrer, President of Kateri Medical Services,  expressing his deep gratitude to all who made the medical outreach a success. He writes: 

“Thank you for the love you . . . demonstrate to us and the people of Northern Nigeria . . . acts of kindness shown by Christians to Muslims in Zamfara State sounds louder than in any place in Northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole.” ​

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