Trip to Belize gives Concordia students unique opportunity to serve

Published by Concordia University, Nebraska 8 years ago on Tue, Oct 27, 2015 11:16 AM
Several RN to BSN students from Concordia University, Nebraska and the director of Concordia’s RN to BSN program completed a health mission trip to Belize in October. Pictured (l-r): Jennifer Schiermeyer, Kathie O’Dell, Director Heidi Gubanyi, Tina Kahn

Five Concordia University students traveled to Belize in Central America Oct. 10-17, 2015, on a health mission trip in partnership with the Belize Mission Society and Concordia University Texas. The trip was led by Concordia Nebraska’s Director of the RN to BSN Program Heidi Gubanyi.

"We were blessed by the opportunity to share our skills, knowledge and faith with the people in Seine Bight in Belize,” said Gubanyi. “More than that, we were blessed by those we served who, in spite of the scarce resources they have, shared their abundant life in Christ with us."

While there, RN to BSN students provided home health care visits for the disabled and conducted health assessments of the elderly in the community. All students participated in educational sessions in the schools or community. Topics included stroke prevention, hygiene, intestinal worm awareness and prevention, overall growth and development and healthy behaviors.

Kathie O’Dell, RN to BSN student, stated: “I am thankful that God was able to use my gifts and talents for the greater good of the Garifuna people of Southern Belize. When the team was working all together and going about what needed to be done, I could feel the love that God has for his children and the strength He gave us to step out of our comfort zones and into the lives of those who needed our help.” 

The group led a devotional service at Octavia Waight, a home for the aged in San Ignacio, and participated in a nature hike with a local Mayan healer near the San Ignacio area. They also visited Xunantunich Mayan ruins and Blue Hole National Park.

RN to BSN students participating in the trip include:

  • Jennifer Schiermeyer, senior, Fairfield, Neb.
  • Kathie O'Dell, senior, Seward, Neb.
  • Tina Kahn, senior, Littleton, Colo.

Undergraduate pre-professional students participating in the trip include:

  • Sydney Olson, senior, Lincoln, Neb.
  • Julia Tyree, senior, Benicia, Calif. 

Concordia Nebraska’s former chair of the science department, Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, also contributed to leading the students throughout the trip.