Winnie* was about 15 years old when she got burned. She sustained the burn while storing firewood in their grass-thatched, mud-walled kitchen.

“I was with my cousin, and we were taking firewood to the kitchen. My cousin had already left ahead of me, and there was thick smoke [coming from the kitchen].” - Winnie

Winnie was alone in the kitchen while her cousin was out fetching another bunch of maize stalks.

“When I placed the maize stalks down, the fire broke out. I don’t know how the fire started. It caught my dress. I ran out screaming, and the fire kept burning my skirt. I got to my mother, who cut my clothes, but they had already stuck to my body. I was then rushed to the hospital.” - Winnie

Fast forward to today: Winnie is now a mother of one. She became tearful as she narrated how life has been hard since she sustained those injuries as a teenager. Her left hand was completely stuck to her left breast, and the fingers were stuck to her palm. Despite the initial procedures, Winnie was still unable to live a normal life.

“It was very difficult for my life to continue normally. I couldn’t do anything and became dependent on people. At home, I have been stigmatized because I am unable to function normally. At school, I was discriminated against by other students. I couldn’t even write well.” - Winnie

Winnie’s relief finally came when she visited FAME for antenatal clinics. One of the volunteer nurses became curious about her condition. After sharing her story, the nurse informed her about FAME’s general surgery program and shared that with surgery, her hand and arm could be reconstructed and she would be able to use them again.

“I felt so good. I was really happy and looked forward to the day.” - Winnie

The procedure was to be conducted once Winnie’s baby was born. Months later, true to the nurse's words, Winnie was admitted to FAME’s surgical ward for the procedure. FAME’s surgical team handles a total of 10-15 burn contracture cases every year.

“The main reason for reconstructive surgery is to restore patients' functions on the affected limb. For the case of Winnie, we established through examinations that her fingers were healthy. We did a partial release of all her fingers to enable her to grasp things.” - Emmanuel Manjira, FAME’s General Surgeon

“I can now stretch my hand, arm and fingers. I am able to wash my baby’s clothes. Before, I couldn’t; I would only put the clothes on a piece of wood and pour water on them. My child couldn’t wear clean clothes, but now, even when you look at him, he looks very clean and healthy.” - Winnie

“I would like to thank that nurse who noticed my condition, and also the entire FAME fraternity. May God bless them because I was unable to hold anything with my hand, but now I can hold things.” - Winnie

“I feared the hospitals because I had never attended one the whole of my life.”

— Namelok*

Namelok*, a 21-year-old mother from Ngorongoro, gave birth to preterm twins. At the time of giving birth, Namelok sought the services of the Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) as she had previously done with her first child. Unfortunately, this time around, the infants were very tiny, forcing Namelok's mother to seek help at a nearby hospital.

“I have 7 kids, all of them I delivered at home, but I had never seen such tiny babies at birth despite them coming early. I decided to call for an ambulance from a nearby hospital because I saw they were not well.” - Namelok’s mother

They visited a local hospital where, upon arrival, they were referred to FAME.

“When we arrived at the hospital, we met a mzungu [foreigner] who told us they could not care for the infants but that we should come to FAME.” - Namelok’s mother

They then set out on a long journey to FAME in an ambulance from the local hospital. Being the rainy season, the new mother had to endure the bumpy, sticky, and slippery 10-mile off-road journey to save her twins.

“We were not sure whether we would make it to FAME on time because one of the babies was in a very critical condition. When we arrived here, some machine was put on their faces. Since then, their health has improved significantly.” - Namelok

The twins have been under the specialized care of our team at the maternity center in the NICU’s kangaroo care room.

“My grandchildren are now doing well. I thank the team that has been taking care of us. They are very kind and have taught us a lot about how to take care of the babies.” - Namelok’s mother

This encounter has since changed how Namelok and her mother think about life and their perspective on healthcare. Prior to this experience, they had never been in a hospital because of where they live. They are now committed to becoming advocates of hospital healthcare in their community.

“I have never visited a hospital. I have just been using traditional herbs, hence didn't know about the services offered here. From now on, I will be coming to deliver at FAME for all my future pregnancies. I will also be visiting the hospital whenever I am unwell.” - Namelok

“Times have changed. We didn't know about giving birth at the hospital because, in the village where we come from, no one visits the hospital. From now on, I will ensure every woman in my family gets to deliver from the hospital, including my son's wives.” - Namelok’s mother

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in nursing?

From a young age, I had a strong desire to help my community and those in need. Witnessing patients suffering from diseases and injuries in my community made me wish I could assist them. After completing my secondary education, I decided to pursue a career in nursing.

What specifically solidified your desire to become a nurse?

After finishing secondary school, my grandfather fell ill, and I was the sole caregiver both at home and in the hospital, as everyone else was working. While by his bedside, I admired the nurses' dedication and care for him and other patients in the ward. I learned a bit about patient care from the nurses during this time, which solidified my decision to study nursing. Although my grandfather eventually passed away, I am grateful that I can now help others.

Why did you ultimately choose nursing over other medical professions?

Initially, I aspired to become a medical doctor. However, with my sister's help, I applied for a nursing program and was accepted. After completing my nursing studies, I had the chance to return to school to become a doctor, but by then, I had fallen in love with nursing and felt it was my true calling.

What aspects of your work as a nurse do you find most fulfilling?

I find immense satisfaction in serving patients. Using the knowledge and experience I have gained, I can provide the best care possible and I feel like a vessel for their healing.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your experience as a nurse?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a traumatic period for me. I had not joined FAME then. I was exposed to the virus and contracted it while working at the High Dependency Unit (HDU). My colleagues and I unknowingly attended to the three COVID-19 patients. We were isolated for three weeks for treatment and fortunately recovered, though sadly, the patients did not survive.

At FAME, my experience has been significantly different from my previous workplaces. Here, I feel protected and supported, which allows me to provide high-quality care to my patients.

What do you love most about working in the general ward as a nurse?

The general ward exposes me to a wide range of medical conditions, enhancing my knowledge and skills. I cherish the one-on-one interactions with patients and find fulfillment in seeing them recover and leave their beds healthier.

If given the chance to do it all over again, would you still choose the nursing profession?

Absolutely, I would choose nursing again. I love my job deeply. Even when I had the opportunity to pursue a medical degree, I declined because I am passionate about what I do as a nurse.

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in nursing?

My passion for nursing began when my uncle had triplets who were born prematurely, weighing 800g, 700g, and 680g respectively. They faced frequent health complications, and we often had to walk about 30 kilometers to get them to the hospital. This experience made me realize that I wanted to become a nurse to take better care of them.

What was it about that specific encounter that solidified your desire to become a nurse?

I deeply wanted to care for my younger siblings, and I understood that becoming a nurse was the best way to provide them with the care they needed. Watching nurses care for them inspired me to offer that same level of care at home.

Why did you ultimately choose nursing over other medical professions?

I joined nursing even before studying my secondary education. Upon finishing my primary education in 1968, my father, influenced by peer pressure refused to send me to secondary school so nursing was the only option available. I pursued it in defiance of my father. I ran away from home with my maternal grandfather secretly supporting me and paying for my nursing education until he passed away during my third year. After his death, my father, under threat from the police, took over and helped me complete my studies. Later on in 2005 is when I enrolled for my secondary education.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your experience as a nurse?

I have covered three pandemics in my professional journey. As a junior entrant in the profession, I faced the cholera outbreak, which was a challenging experience. For six months, I worked on the cholera response without adequate equipment, re-sterilizing gloves and boiling needles for reuse. The emergence of HIV in 1983 was similarly daunting, as we unknowingly treated many infected patients and witnessed numerous deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic found me working at FAME. I doubt any hospital in Tanzania was as well-prepared for COVID-19 as FAME. Thanks to Dr. Frank and Susan, who prioritized my safety, I was moved from the triage area to the procedure room to avoid direct contact with COVID-19 patients. FAME's management implemented rigorous precautions to protect the staff, providing extensive training on patient care and infection prevention.

What do you love most about working as a nurse?

I cherish serving patients. Their presence gives me purpose, and I strive to offer them hope and love, making them feel cared for. The joy I feel when my patients recover is immense; I truly believe my hands are blessed.

If given the chance to do it all over again, would you still choose the nursing profession?

Yes, I would choose nursing again without hesitation. I believe it is a calling that demands wisdom, perseverance and selflessness in serving patients regardless of their physical appearances. I believe in treating everyone with the same level of care and compassion.

Nurse Mary on the far right cutting a surgical suture during a procedure.

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in nursing?

I was fourteen years old. Growing up, I used to be quite sickly due to a condition called menorrhagia, which caused excessive bleeding during my periods. Whenever I was taken to the hospital, I admired how the nurses took care of me. Their gentle handling and care inspired me to pursue nursing so I could help others with similar conditions.

What was it about that specific encounter that solidified your desire to become a nurse?

I grew up in a very humble background where access to clean clothes and general body cleanliness was an issue due to the lack of clean water and clothing. My condition made things even worse. During this difficult time, some nurses would avoid me because of my physical appearance. However, one nurse named Frank always embraced me with love and care, regardless of how I looked. This compassionate treatment made me decide to become a nurse so I could embrace and help all people, regardless of their looks or status.

Why did you ultimately choose nursing over other medical professions?

For me, nursing is about giving back to the community. It’s about providing the love and care that I received from the nurses who cared for me. I thank God that I am a nurse because I am doing work that is close to my heart and that I truly love.

What aspects of your work as a nurse do you find most fulfilling?

Nursing is the primary point of contact for every patient. I love that we deal directly with people’s souls because when you treat the body, you also treat the soul. As a nurse, I encounter patients who have lost hope or are questioning why they are ill. It's essential to counsel them and give them hope before starting to treat the body.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your experience as a nurse?

COVID-19 was a global scare. Everyone was frightened, and as a frontline caregiver, I was no exception. The PPE kits were very uncomfortable, but they were necessary. It felt like a struggle to breathe freely. The worst part was seeing patients improve only to suddenly worsen and pass away. This was a painful period. Our families lived in fear due to the virus's deadly nature. It was a traumatic experience for everyone. I must commend my organization, FAME, for their commitment to fighting the virus. They ensured we had everything we needed, which saved many lives.

What do you love most about working in the theater as a nurse?

I love saving lives, it’s a part of me. In the theater, we handle cases directly related to life-saving. My prayer for every patient is for God to use us to save their lives. Working in the theater has also allowed me to learn many new procedures as a scrub nurse, especially during complicated surgeries with Dr. Manjira [FAME’s Surgeon & Head Medical Officer in Charge]. Additionally, it has boosted my confidence, enabling me to handle emergencies without panicking. Working in the theater requires a systematic response to critical situations, and I’ve learned to manage this effectively.

If given the chance to do it all over again, would you still choose the nursing profession?

Absolutely. I would still choose to be a nurse. I have a passion for serving the elderly, who often need primary health care but are frequently forgotten by society. I would also love to nurse children, but they are usually well cared for by society and the government. The elderly, however, are often neglected. I’ve encountered cases where better family care could have significantly improved an elderly person’s health.