19 March 2008

Fife student nurses raise funds for African charities

Nursing students at the University of Dundee’s Fife campus have started a fundraising campaign to support two African charities working in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in the world. It suffers from major health problems, particularly with HIV/AIDS with rates officially around 38% although unofficial sources claim it could be closer to 50%. The life expectancy of the population is just over forty years, leading to an increasing number of orphans whose livelihoods depend on volunteers and charity organisations for food, accommodation and education.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery has forged links with the country through research projects led by staff and now students at the Fife campus in Kirkcaldy are lending direct support through fundraising activity.

They have linked with GardenAfrica, a British-registered charity which assists in delivering education and training in cultivating sustainable gardens which provide appropriate nutrition for families and communities affected by HIV and AIDS. GardenAfrica has one of its projects operating in Maluti Hospital in Lesotho, which is an independent enclave surrounded by South Africa.

During a recent visit there by School of Nursing lecturers, as part of a project funded by the British Council, staff and patients in Maluti Hospital discussed the gardening project and then introduced the visitors to an orphan project that is also supported by the hospital. It was agreed that fund raising events would be arranged by the school to help support both the GardenAfrica project and the orphan project.

"These are projects which are making a real difference to people living in some of the most impoverished conditions in the world and facing massive health problems," said Bob Rankin, Professional Head of Mental Health Nursing in the School and one of the party who visited Lesotho.

"Hopefully some of the research being carried out here in Dundee and at other institutions will help combat some of Lesotho’s problems, but in the meantime we can also offer direct help through supporting projects like GardenAfrica and the orphans."

"The efforts being made by the students will really be felt at the hospital in Maluti."

The first fundraising event at the Kirkcaldy campus took place last week and raised over £250 through bottle stalls, book stalls, plant stalls, a quiz and a sing along. Events such as this will be arranged regularly to enable the school to continue to support these worthwhile causes.

Any external contributions towards fund raising for these projects would be very welcome and can be arranged by contacting Bob Rankin r.f.rankin@dundee.ac.uk or 01592 268888.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk