Posted on Saturday, June 18th, 2016
Alison Foster, Advertising and Marketing Communications
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Travelling
When and where were you happiest? Two years ago, when my mom and I took two months off and backpacked through Southeast Asia.
Which talent would you most like to have? I’ve always wished I was more musically-inclined and had mastered an instrument.
What is your current state of mind? Aside from wanting coffee—it’s before 8 a.m. — I feel very settled (in a good way).
What would you consider your greatest achievement? Setting aside the time and properly planting a garden.
What do you value most in your friends? Humour, Honesty, and Hearts.
Where would you like to live? Somewhere by the water.
What is your most treasured possession? My book collection.
Who is your favorite fictional hero(ine)? Claire, from my favourite book series Outlander.
Who is your hero(ine) in real life? I have so many people within my family that I look up to; my mom, dad, and grandpa really come to mind.
What is your motto? “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they simply make the best of everything.” — unknown.
Which words and/or phrases do you most overuse? Probably, “I think” or “I feel as though” before I assert an opinion.
Posted on Friday, June 17th, 2016
Courtney Symons, Bachelor of Building Science
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being able to find peace within yourself during all of the chaos life has to offer.
When and where were you happiest? Just recently. I finished exams, moved into a new apartment, started work full time, and with graduation around the corner, I found out I was going to be Valedictorian.
Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to find motivation in a heart beat!
What is your current state of mind? I’d say I am pretty content at the moment.
What would you consider your greatest achievement? Moving to Ottawa on my own and graduating school with a full time job! I’m quite proud.
What do you value most in your friends? Honesty, loyalty and support.
Where would you like to live? I would like to live just north of here in a log cabin.
What is your most treasured possession? My dog, Honey!
Who is your favorite fictional hero(ine)? Agent Peggy Carter, from the Marvel Comic series.
Who is your hero(ine) in real life? My dad.
What is your motto? “Appreciate the little things in life.”
Which words and/or phrases do you most overuse? When I respond with yes, but it sounds more like ‘yeas’ with an intrigued tone.
Posted on Monday, June 6th, 2016
Two years ago five professors and 18 students from Algonquin College’s nursing faculty worked with CPAR Tanzania’s Maternal & Child Health staff to deliver a program in two hospitals and five health centres in Bunda District. These photos were taken two weeks ago where their impact is still evident, actively and excitedly talked about, and the tools and knowledge used every day.
The objective of the project was to train birth attendants in the essential skills of newborn resuscitation, with the aim of having at least one person skilled in neonatal resuscitation at the birth of every baby. The plan was to enable local providers to both care for patients and to have the knowledge and equipment to train additional birth attendants.
“The program was delivered successfully and it attracted the attention of the District Commissioner, the top political leader in the district,” said Dee Ucci, Manager of Donor Relations and Public Engagement.
A key concept in the training pertained to The Golden Minute. Within one minute of birth, a baby should be breathing well or should be ventilated with a bag and mask. The Golden Minute identifies the steps that a birth attendant must take immediately after birth to evaluate the baby and stimulate breathing.
The HBB training package that the Algonquin team provided included pictorial-based learning materials including a LearnerWorkbook, Action Plan wall poster and Facilitator Flip Chart, all in Swahili. The training equipment includes a very realistic newborn simulator with the ability to imitate an umbilical pulse to monitor the baby’s heart rate. The practical equipment, which was provided to health facilities throughout Bunda District, is a simple and durable bulb suction and bag-mask ventilator that can be cleaned by boiling, which you can see in the photo collage here:
This post was adapted from the Facebook page for the CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid & Relief), to find out more about CPAR and the work they do visit their website here.