Before embarking on my elective with the Vine Trust, I was excited but unsure of exactly what to expect. I had hoped for a valuable learning experience and the opportunity to contribute to healthcare in a low-resource setting—but what I actually experienced far exceeded all expectations. I never imagined I would be given the responsibility of running my own clinic, independently seeing and managing patients with a translator. It was my first time independently requesting for tests and prescribing medications and the first time I truly felt like a doctor. The confidence and clinical insight I gained from this role…

Tues, 08-Jul-25 Final Site Visit Today we had our last visit to the site. It felt very different from the anticipation on the first day travelling to the site not really knowing who anyone was. We had created a very strong bond with the family (Flora, Denis, Justin and Joseph), other children and the Fundi. Watching the house grow throughout our time on site was something that will stick with me forever. Our time on site was short but we made sure to make the most of it; all the children were playing with bubbles, balls and ballon’s laughing and…

Joining Vine Trust’s Jubilee Hope Expedition on Lake Victoria in Tanzania was one of the most life changing experiences, and I’m so grateful for the Dr Julia McLean Grant Fund for helping to facilitate it. I honestly had no expectations prior to the expedition, and my experiences on Jubilee Hope far exceeded anything I could have possibly imagined. Our days began with a health talk and patient registration on the island, and then we returned to the ship for clinics. As a student, I was encouraged to give everything a go, from taking histories and being involved in managing patients…

Over 20 years ago the Amazon Hope 2 visited my town.  On board and through our church we learnt of The Vine Trust and it’s work in Peru and I thought what an amazing thing it would be to volunteer.  However, working in admin, I had no usable skills so it was nothing more than a ‘what if?’ moment.  However, years later and having worked as a phlebotomist/ lab assistant and now a healthcare support worker, a chance conversation with a veteran of many Vine Trust trips to both Peru and Tanzania, my ‘what if’ began to become more of…

Spending 2 weeks on the Peruvian Amazon in July 2024, as part of my medical school elective, was an unforgettable and unique time that I never thought I’d experience as a student. It was a very useful clinical and cultural experience for both my personal and professional development, and one I know that I will look back fondly on for many years. I have always been interested in remote and rural healthcare, alongside a long-term desire to travel to South America, so when I discovered the Vine Trust and the electives they offered, I knew it was the perfect choice…

  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be delivering a baby in the middle of the Amazon River in Peru!! But I did and I had the most amazing, magical experience of my life while volunteering with the Amazon Hope Medical programme in November 2023.   Initially when my friend asked me to join them on this trip I was very apprehensive as I had never travelled very far and I was scared of most things, planes, piranhas, snakes and spiders!! I knew this trip was going to put me way out my comfort zone,…