Profile - Sherry Poirier

I am absolutely elated to be a part of this expedition! As a small child I sat with a bag packed, always ready for my next adventure. Whether it was an over-night with my family in Spaniard’s Bay, or a trip across the straight, I was happy to go and see what life ‘looked like’ outside of my small community of Bishop’s Cove, Nfld. This love of travel and curiosity of others’ way of life has not only stayed with me but influenced my journey. As a nurse, I have worked in NFLD, Alberta, B.C and here in Ottawa, Ontario. I have camped across Canada, travelled throughout N. America and Europe, back-packed through Australi, the S. Pacific and Asia and participated in the development of the public health system in post-war Balkans. While on the move, I have also been blessed with access to a formal education in nursing, adult education and international development. Through travel and study, I have learned much.

So here I am embarking on another adventure: This time to Africa. While the same curiosity and love of travel have influenced my participation in this expedition, what truly is fueling my passion is the opportunity to give back and maybe, …dare I say… inspire others. I am older and wiser and am ever so conscious of how blessed my life has been. I take with me to Tanzania, my life’s learnings, an open mind and a humble spirit. My objectives are to facilitate and learn along side of the nursing student team: This involves gaining a greater understanding of global health issues and Canada’s role in international development, building relationships, exploring opportunities for partnerships, and being an ambassador for Algonquin College and this amazing country of Canada. But I must be honest, what I mostly look forward to and am thankful for, is the opportunity (in a most humble way) to get to know and learn with the people of Kimby Ya Simba.

Lofty? Probably. But at the end of the day, I am a firm believer that any time my small community gets an opportunity to learn from, with, and about another small community, we become one step closer to “Health For All” and a peaceful world. I do my small part.

Namaste.

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