"I started from zero." - Catherine, RN

Based on interviews with Catherine, FAME RN

Catherine learning about birth positioning techniques with volunteer, Ann, in one of our delivery rooms.

With her family living in Karatu, Catherine came to FAME in 2009 while still in secondary school. At this time, the team was still preparing the land for what was to become the FAME Hospital. Catherine started working on the housekeeping team, assisting some of the other members with the houses on campus. During her first year, she met Dr. Frank’s sister Jeanne.  Jeanne sat with her one day and asked her what she wanted to be when she finished secondary school. Catherine responded that she wanted to be a nurse. She shared stories about when she was young, already dreaming of being a nurse. “I used to tell all the other children that I was a nurse. They would bring me their “sick people” which were just stones. I would even pretend to give the stones injections.” After observing her aunt working as a nurse in a local hospital, she knew it was a profession she would be passionate about. FAME eventually offered her a scholarship to go to nursing school. As the youngest of seven children, she knew she would have to support herself if she wanted to achieve her dream. “I was planning on taking a break between secondary school and nursing school to work to make money to pay school fees,” she told us. “My family was so happy [when I received the scholarship]. They couldn’t have supported me on their own.” With all three years of tuition covered, Catherine had time to focus on her studies and enjoy school. She consistently received good marks and didn’t have to repeat any subjects. Now, she is one of our Registered Nurses, working with patients in both the Inpatient and Maternity wards. She enjoys working at FAME because “we have enough equipment and man-power.” From housekeeping to nursing, Catherine says, “I am so proud. Frank, Susan, and Jeanne are very important people in my life. I just thank them.”