JAMAICA | Beth

Reflections of an American Nurse in Jamaica

Months before I left for Jamaica, I spent a good bit of my time gathering CPR training equipment to take with me through generous donations from my church family and other friends. The plan was that I would spend most of my time teaching CPR classes to the local healthcare workers and to the community served by Won by One. Then the hurricane came and we had to rethink what my role would be while I was there. 

Logically, it was decided by the Medical Director at Won by One that I would check on the seniors in the community. The physical tasks I would do was blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen saturation, blood glucose levels, heart and lung sounds which are all routine tasks for a nurse to do. I discussed their health, medications, diet, and medical care with them. I became increasingly discouraged as I spoke with them as most told me they were unable to afford the foods I was recommending (beets for high blood pressure and fresh fruits and vegetables for all). 

Most of their diets consist mainly of rice and beans as that is cheap and widely available, but this is not the best choice for those with diabetes due to the high carbohydrates. I prayed for them and many prayed for me as well. So many wonderful God loving Christian women with a strong faith and trust in God, but I often left feeling helpless and frustrated asking God what was I really doing to help any of them? What was my purpose?  I couldn’t fix anything. I could only encourage those with obvious problems to contact their doctors as soon as possible. I was able to teach one much needed CPR class to the community health workers giving them more confidence in their ability to help their community. Even then, they have a forty-five-minute drive to the closest hospital and no ambulance service.  

I pray that those I served felt loved, valued, and my genuine concern for their wellbeing. I left recognizing the disparity in healthcare between our area of the USA and the rural communities in Jamaica. I am grateful for the help Won by One is able to provide to the community and most importantly showing them the love of Christ and sharing the gospel with them. I pray they feel the love God has for them and that He sees them in their suffering and cares.  

Beth Stercho, Jamaica 2025