Final Blog/Testimonials: Lumela for the last time y鈥檃ll! This experience has genuinely meant the world to me, it鈥檚 one words could never fully capture. I feel beyond blessed to have been in this beautiful country, surrounded by beautiful people that never once failed to delight my soul. The knowledge I gained not only opened my eyes but changed my perspective in ways I never knew I needed.
While I find myself dreading having to leave the stillness and peace I found in this country; I find myself eager to get back and share the newfound perspectives and knowledge this trip has rewarded me. Lesotho truly changed my life and I thank God every day that I was allowed this opportunity, it was truly one of a lifetime. P.S, the stars here are unreal!
-Natalie
Being in Lesotho has given me such a different perspective on the world. This place has such a special place in my heart and will stay there for the rest of my life. Being able to observe and assist in health care opened my eyes to the challenges they face and how lucky we are in the United States. The nurse鈥檚 ability to work with what they have is truly amazing. One of the most powerful moments was seeing a family stand Infront of the house we built them. Their happiness reminded me health isn鈥檛 only about medicine but in addition, is about safety, stability, and dignity. I am so grateful for the experience I have had, and the bonds I was able to form. Leaving is so bittersweet, but I will never forget this experience and will continue helping through LNI! As my dad always says 鈥渟ee you on the flippity鈥�
-Emily Zmuda
Hello again! It鈥檚 me ;) I wish I could even begin to describe how grateful I am to experience something as meaningful as this trip. I remember when coming to Africa was just a distant dream, I held secretly close to my heart. Now knowing I鈥檝e done something I once thought to be nearly impossible while also supporting others I have learned it鈥檚 safe to dream bigger. I want to help as many as people as I personally can in hopes of truly one day pushing the world closer to progress(with style of course). I will never forget those who helped me to get where I am now and the earth-shattering realities, I鈥檝e gotten to see first-hand. Gaining such meaningful connections along the way and being welcomed into the community as one of their own has made me appreciate my life in ways I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to fathom prior. I pray I can one day return to this beautiful country and continue to provide a helping hand.
Sincerely yours,
-Jayla Thompson
Hello everyone! Unfortunately writing this means the trip is coming to end soon. It is still crazy to believe I have spent the last 3 weeks in Africa, but I mean when I say I have loved every second of it. Not only has this trip brought me so much knowledge on the culture here and what healthcare is like on this side of the world, but it has allowed me to meet some of the most genuinely amazing people that I am so sad to leave. This experience has been one of a kind. It has been eye opening, heartwarming, and really gave me a new appreciation of life and the world around me. Lesotho is a beautiful place; one I think everyone should get a chance to know. The people here have a way of making you feel at home even when you鈥檙e an ocean away from your real one. They are kind, warm, welcoming, generous, appreciative, and beautiful inside and out. The memories and friendships I have made while being here are something that I will hold very close to my heart. The knowledge and skills I gained from the amazing, hardworking, and driven women in healthcare here is something I will take home with me and share with others. There really aren鈥檛 enough words to describe the impact this place makes on you but it is one I will never forget.
-Hannah Arnold
Hiii ALL! I can鈥檛 even begin to explain how much this trip has meant to me. It has been a dream of mine to come to Africa and I am so incredibly grateful I have had the opportunity! I have learned so much from this trip鈥here to begin, maybe the beginning. When we first arrived, I loved being able to go out into the community and being immersed in the culture. I appreciated the kindness and happiness I saw all around me. When we went to Ramabanta I feel in LOVE! It鈥檚 hard to put into words but I will try to sum up how I felt and what I learned. When I arrived it felt like home, when we went to the community center and played with the kids my heart was so happy. Working alongside the nurses in the clinic taught me the versatility, skills and willingness to give excellent care with what you have. I helped build a HOUSE! I never thought I would say that, working with Habitat and the wonderful team they have helped me understand how important it is that everyone have a place to call home. Seeing the smile on the grandmother鈥檚 face made all of the hard-working days鈥� worth it! Lastly, Baylor was a wonderful experience, and I gained so much knowledge and even more appreciation for everyone who works there, best of all鈥veryone had a smile on their face and taught us as much as they could! In summary, I have cried a lot because it鈥檚 hard to leave after forming so many bonds and memories here, but I know this journey is coming to an end. I am so so so thankful and will cherish every minute I have been here in Lesotho!
-Kylah Tucker
Hey everyone! To describe this trip is ineffable. I learned so much not only about Lesotho but about healthcare, overall kindness and resilience. I have always had a positive outlook on the world and Lesotho brought my views further than I could fathom. In this culture there is no word for stranger, everyone greets you and wants to know your story no matter where you go. For a country that doesn鈥檛 have a lot they are the most resilient people you will ever meet. Between meeting all the little kids in the villages who light up with every little thing and the well-trained healthcare professionals who know how to get around any situation by improvising with nothing was truly remarkable to watch and learn form. I not only learned a lot about my profession, but I also learned how to look at things in a different light. To never take anything for granted and truly there is always another way out of a problem. Sometimes it takes going out of your comfort zone to learn these things. Maybe that鈥檚 flying 15 hours and over 8,000 miles away from home to learn what I did. I am truly grateful for the past few weeks. Lesotho will forever hold a little piece of my heart. I couldn鈥檛 be more grateful to be able to go on this trip and meet so many amazing people! It鈥檚 never goodbye its only see you later.飦�
-Sofia Didone
Hi everyone! I cannot even begin to describe what this trip meant for me and how much I have learned! Lesotho is really such a special and amazing place. From the second we got here everyone welcomed us with open and kind arms. The people here are some of the most amazing, kind, and caring people I have ever met to say the least. I still cannot believe I have spent the past 3 weeks here in Lesotho, it is never something I thought I would do or even be able to do. It took a lot of courage and coming out of my comfort zone to do this trip, but I will forever be grateful that I did. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to of had the opportunity to go on this trip. This country is beautiful all around. Lesotho taught me so much about myself as a person and made me a better person. I not only learned so much about the amazing culture here but also so much about the health care here. Every nurse, doctor, and speaker we were with taught me so much, some things that I will take with me throughout my career. Lesotho will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope that I have the opportunity to visit here again. I will forever cherish the memories I have made with the most amazing people from here.
-Maddy Krasnow
Hi everyone! I don鈥檛 even know where to start when telling you all about the incredible memories and life lessons I have learned on this amazing trip to Lesotho again. As some of you may know I was fortunate enough to have been a part of this trip last year. I can鈥檛 believe that these three weeks have gone by so quickly I feel as though it was just yesterday that we were boarding our 15-hour flight to South Africa. Between interacting with the little kids, the healthcare workers, and habitat site workers I have learned so much and made lifelong connections. Over the past three week visiting different healthcare facilities and meeting different healthcare professionals I have learned an abundance amount of knowledge. The healthcare workers in Lesotho are some of the more resourceful and intelligent individuals I have ever meet. Although they may not have all the equipment and resources that we have they sure do make do with what they have to work with. They are able to adapt in situations and still deliver quality care to their patients. I will continue to use the healthcare knowledge I have learned as I go back to finish my last year of nursing school. Who knows maybe one day I will end up back in Lesotho working as a pediatric nurse! Forever one of my favorite memories will be my two little buddies running up and into my arms this year when they saw me again for the first time for over a year. Although we may not speak the same language, we still will forever have a lifelong connection and bond. At the habitat site I was able to learn the skills to assist to build a house and connect with Habitat for Lesotho and the local builders. I can now say that I know how to make mortar and concrete! Lesotho is one of the most beautiful countries with the most beautiful people. The Basotho people are the most kind, caring, welcoming, and appreciate individuals I have ever meet. Lesotho will always have a piece of my heart, and I consider it like a second home. With all the life lessons I have learned over these past two years I want to leave you with a list of a few things to remember:
- Always smile and say hi to someone even if they are a stranger
- Remember to stop and take in your surroundings, life moves way to fast, and we never stop to enjoy the little things.
- You can always make do with what you have you just have to think out of the box.
- Focus on one problem at a time to fix.
- Eat all the fatcakes whenever you have a chance to!
I will forever cherish the memories and bonds I have made on this trip this year. This is not a goodbye it is a see you soon Lesotho!
-Mackenzie Kelley '26