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.

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

There was a day in my third year of high school when our biology teacher brought a nurse to educate us about various types of worms and their impact on people's health. The nurse explained the causes and effects of worms scientifically and thoroughly. Right there and then, I felt like I wanted to be a healthcare professional.

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

The nurse showed us the severe health impacts caused by worms, including the need for surgery and significant health deterioration. I wanted to make a change in my community, where there was little information and awareness about how worms and other preventable diseases could harm people’s health. My interest was sparked by the desire to gain an education that would enable me to help my community. For instance, I initially didn't know about diabetes, but after acquiring knowledge, I assessed my community and found people suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. This has allowed me not only to nurse people but also to understand the diseases they are suffering from.

Why did you ultimately choose nursing over other medical professions?

Initially, I wanted to be a doctor, but when my high school results came out, I was selected to pursue nursing. I was undecided at first, but during my second year, I realized I was in the right place. I found out that nurses provide over 70% of patient care at the hospital. I grew to love the profession because it allowed me to be close to the patients and give them the care they need.

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

The most fulfilling aspect is being able to serve patients across multiple departments. I have worked in the maternity ward, the theater, the medical ward and the pharmacy. It's the versatility of the profession that I find most rewarding.

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

The COVID-19 pandemic was a horrific experience for everyone. My organization's principal response was to acknowledge that we, the caregivers, were at the highest risk of getting infected and dying. They prioritized protecting us, caring for the infected and preventing the spread of infections to the community. The education and necessary precautions and actions taken by FAME gave us the courage to face the situation boldly, allowing us to save many lives. The lesson I have carried with me to date is to always take time to prepare because it is through the preparation that FAME prioritized our well-being as nurses during the pandemic making the whole response a success.

How do you navigate cultural perceptions in the profession?

In today's world, nursing is a profession like any other, and we have moved beyond retrogressive beliefs. For example, doctors were once perceived as male-only, but now we have many capable female doctors. There are still cultural barriers that can hinder caregiving. I have encountered cases where elderly women do not allow me to tend to them, saying, "You are my son, you cannot see my nakedness." However, I have been able to counsel them and help them understand that it is for their well-being. There is a need for more community awareness on this issue.

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

I am passionate about children. Seeing the journey of a premature baby growing into a healthy child is incredibly fulfilling. When parents bring their children for checkups and I get to witness their transformation, it makes me feel grateful. It is especially rewarding when parents remember and bring their children back just to see you and thank you for the services.

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

Oh yes, I would give it priority because it's a calling. It is something that allows you to help people. Additionally, the versatility of nursing is precious; a nurse can work in any department within healthcare.

Emmanuel Tsere, a 59-year-old driver at FAME, has been with us since 2007. His journey with blood donation began in 2017 when a patient at FAME urgently needed blood. Emmanuel, the only match, stepped up to donate for the first time.

“Growing up in a small village in Bashai, North Western Tanzania, I had only heard about blood donations. It wasn't until I was 49 that I donated blood for the first time here at FAME.”

Born into a family of livestock keepers, no one in his family had ever needed a blood donation. Emmanuel later discovered he has the rare and highly sought-after O- blood type.

“I was told by the laboratory technologist here at FAME that my blood type is a rare one. Whenever there is a need, they always turn to me. I am always ready and willing to give.”

Since joining FAME, Emmanuel has witnessed its transformation from a simple bush area to a thriving medical facility.

“When I came to FAME, it was just a bush. We started clearing and planting trees. Then we built the OPD department, and finally the ward. I am fortunate to have been part of its transformation including the laboratory that has made me a life saver through blood donations.”

To date, Emmanuel has donated blood to seven patients. The receivers range from pregnant mothers to children with anemia.

“I understand that blood donation is for the purpose of saving lives. That's why I never hesitate whenever there is a need.”

Despite his first receiver passing on even after a successful transfusion, Emmanuel's resolve to help others has never wavered. “When it happened, it really hurt me because my intention is always to see the people I donate to become well.”

Today, as the world marks Blood Donation Day, under the theme 20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors, here at FAME we celebrate Emmanuel and all of the other donors who have helped save lives here at FAME.

“Every time I donate blood, I feel so good. I feel like I fulfill my purpose here on Earth.”