STUDENTS GIVE BACK TO HELP POOR IN BURUNDI
Freshman Seminar Features Presentation from Village Health Works Executive Director

Caldwell College freshmen students had a treat Thanksgiving week when they heard from Sarah Broom, Executive Director of Village Health Works in Burundi, about the ways they can make a difference in the lives of those suffering around the globe.

Broom, a native of New Orleans, gave a presentation showing the poverty and lack of health care in Burundi, but also relating it to tragedies closer to home like the plight of those who suffered in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Broom, who grew up one of 12 children, encouraged the students to think about how they will use their “internal compass to make some kind of change in the world”.

The presentation was part of the Freshmen Seminar Experience where freshmen students were required to read Strength in What Remains as part of a Common Reader experience. The book, by Pulitzer prize-winning author Tracy Kidder tells the story of “Deo”, a man who fled ethnic violence in his native Burundi and Rwanda, lived homeless in New York City, graduated from Columbia University, and is now in medical school at Columbia. Deo spoke to the freshmen earlier in the semester about the deplorable medical conditions in his homeland and their responsibility to open their eyes to the pain of others.

While a journalist writing for “O”, the Oprah magazine when Hurricane Katrina hit, Broom had siblings who had to run from the water during the tragedy. Following Katrina, she was writing stories about misplaced persons and how people rebuild after catastrophe, when a co-worker mentioned how people in Burundi have suffered greatly from being misplaced. Broom, who knew very little about the African nation, made plans to travel there and it was that experience that led her to work with Village Health Works.

Today, she is executive director of the non-profit which is a collaborative effort between people who share in the vision that all people, especially those most impoverished, are entitled to quality health care in a dignified environment.

Broom encouraged the Caldwell students to look beyond their own world saying, “Now is the time to think about what compels you in the world. What harasses you? What do you have to do?”

Also joining Broom at the presentation was lead physician, Dr. Melino Ndayizigiye, a native of Burundi, who described how he sees 100 to 120 patients a day. He encouraged any students who plan go to medical school to come and help in Burundi.

Students presented Broom and Melino with donations from fundraisers that they had held and helped organize throughout the semester including a Soup Lunch, Boxtown where they slept outside in solidarity with the homeless, a “Star Night” talent show and a hand-made jewelry sale.

Senior Bryan Broderick, who is planning to go to medical school, said the presentation was incredible and that as an aspiring physician he plans to give back. Student Stephan Lewis, who presented one of the checks and is from Haiti, said it was an amazing presentation and that it was good for the students to see how a little help can go a long way.

Harriet Schenk, one of the coordinators of the program, stated: “the opportunity for our students to actually meet Deo, the subject of Tracy Kidder’s book and the lead physician in Burundi, as well as Sarah Broom was more than we had ever hoped. I think the book, Deo’s message and the reality of bringing a piece of Burundi to Caldwell will have a lasting impact on our students.