Postcards from Around the Globe
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kweku Arko-Gilbert
The Power of Love
Today, for community service, two Morehouse brothers and I joined three homecare givers whom I describe as angels, in the Evaton community of South Africa to give a helping hand on their patient rounds. Our first stop was at a house entirely made of corrugated iron roofing sheets, in which laid Joseph Nyamibe, a 37-year-old gentleman with complications from AIDS and tuberculosis. Our mission was to bathe him and give him his medication.
More than ever, I realized AIDS is real as I watched Joseph's emaciated body lay on his mattress on the cold floor. Greeted by Joseph with a morbid statement - "I am going to die because I have AIDS and I think it is my time to die" - I motivated myself in the power of the love and empathy that I felt from myself and everybody I came to do service with and took a lead in caring for Joseph. I felt overwhelmed by the emotions in the room and my willingness to help do something to change the disposition of this young man. Employing my nursing skills, my Morehouse brothers helped me bathe Joseph, lotion his skin, change his diapers, change his beddings, keep him warm and get him comfortable in his bed. While we cared for Joseph, our continuous conversations with him made his spirit rise. By the time we finished, he had a big smile on his face that exposed his teeth. I think the fact that I also made him aware of every step in what we were doing for him also made him realize we were trying to preserve his dignity, as well. In a slurred voice and a smile on his face, Joseph found the courage and said, "I will get better and be able to walk again!" Personally, this filled my soul! I knew then that our purpose of bringing hope, encouragement and being change agents in the life of this young man had been fulfilled. Just through our simple selfless act of caring for Joseph in only gloves and no aprons or masks, we had made an impact on his life and he, unbeknownst to him, had changed our lives forever.
May I never turn my back on any human being who needs my help! I realized today that to be an ethical leader, it is imperative to be humble, selfless, empathetic, to be a change agent and be ready to serve your people. I am most convinced that healthcare is definitely the field I want to be in. Every day I wake up healthy, I need to be appreciative for everything I have and strive to serve rather than be served. For anybody reading this, I challenge you to be a change agent for your family and in your community. We normally say HIV has no face, but I can assure you I had a sacred experience with the devastating effects of HIV today and it is real. HIV is real and we need to protect ourselves, our communities and also educate ourselves on the virus. We owe it to ourselves, our families and our communities to spread the word and also to take active roles in loving and caring for those infected and affected. Love transcends all things and service is a conduit to show love to our community!
More Postcards
JUNE 18, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Richard C. Jones
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Mauri J. Robinson
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kelechi Kalu
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kweku Arko-Gilbert
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Freddie Wilkes
