All About The Scrub Life Gives back// My Trip To Antigua

Hey Guys! As most of you should know by now, I’m an Island gyal. So a brief background; I was born in England and I grew up on the beautiful Island of Antigua. I’ve been living in the US for about 10 years, and ever since I moved here I had this big dream of giving back to my country in some way. I made a 10-year plan, where I wanted to open a state of the art healthcare facility but as you know life doesn’t always go as planned. Fast forward to 10 years and that is still a big dream of mine. I had a dream or what I like to say, someone spoke to me in my sleep and told me something to the effect of “now is the time to give back.” I pondered in my mind for a couple of weeks what exactly could I give back, I’m not where I thought I would be 10 years ago, so what can I possibly do to give back, should I set another goal and add another 10 years to this big dream I had? All these questions popped in my head and of course you know a little self-doubt.

I prayed about it and the very next day, I came up with the idea to donate some items to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital in Antigua. I currently work at a Children’s hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit so for me it was only right that I give to this Unit at the hospital back home. I took the initiative to reach out to the Hospital’s Facebook page and I got a response within hours and was told to contact the Marketing and Communications Manager. I was able to make contact with the person responsible for arranging things like that.

After making contact and getting the go ahead, I received a list of items that were needed both in NICU and PICU. I began the necessary preparation to get the items I wanted to donate and also those that were on the list of needs. For a while I was just going to save and buy the various items but then I got this bright idea to ask the general public to help. I must say this was unusual for me so I was a bit nervous. However, after putting the flyer out (which I contemplated down to the very minute of uploading) I was absolutely amazed at the feedback I got and how supportive most people were. I called this initiative “Christmas for The Babies.”

I initially had plans on going home in December to make my donation in time for Christmas but unfortunately I missed my connecting flight so had to reschedule. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of traveling back home which of course made me happy and is not something I take for granted. I arrived on Island on Wednesday and met with the communications manager and her Deputy the next day where they gave me the rundown of how things will go the day of my presentation. It was at that moment when I realize I was really on the verge of accomplishing this 10-year plan.

My presentation was schedule for 11am on the Friday. The presentation was short and sweet, and I was even given the opportunity to give a speech that to this day I haven’t watched as yet because it still feels so surreal.

I know I liked helping people no matter what but this give back really put things into perspective for me; it made me realize my true passion and that is to give back to my community. As a current Public Health student, I know how important it is to promote and protect the health of people in the different communities. I now see how important it is to give back. Even when you think it might not be enough, there will always be someone who will appreciate your efforts and in this case the doctors and nurse did.  

My heart was so full when the Director, Doctors and Nurses expressed their gratitude for the items I was able to donate. This has set the precedent for my 2019.

This is just the beginning of many more to come from All About The Scrub Life, as it relates to giving back to the community. My hope is to continue to collaborate with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC). I am now a part of their village and I was dubbed an honorary member of their team. I also plan on doing more community outreach projects to better my country.

I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who reposted my flyer as well as donated to the cause, I am truly appreciative. No act of Kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.

Of course my trip wasn’t all work and no play. Although my trip was shorter than usual, I was able to spend time with my family and friends. This trip was all about my family and the people who mattered the most. I got to try the new restaurants back home and I also did a photo-shoot with this talented photographer, Jodanna.h

Take a look at a few pics from my trip below.

xoxo, Tanya