Hi everyone,

I am a second year undergraduate midwifery student at Birmingham City University. In July 2017, I am planning to travel to La Romana, Dominican Republic to undertake a two week elective placement with Gap Medics in order to see and explore what midwifery and maternity care is like in a developing country in comparison to the UK.

Although Dominican Republic is said to have one of the best healthcare in the Caribbean, due to the tropical climate and warm weather, there is a high incidence of mosquito borne illness for example; malaria, dengue and zika virus, so therefore healthcare providers pay particular attention to expectant mothers and new-borns.

I know the Dominican Republic sounds very luxurious, but my time there will be spent working in a local community hospital, observing how midwifery and maternity care is managed but also alongside the hospital placement, I will participate in community projects and attend global health tutorials to get an insight into local culture, social and economic factors that occur so that I can have an understanding and interpret what happens in the hospital.

Going to Dominican Republic would be a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience, not only, will I be able to see midwifery from an international perspective but it will allow me to strengthen the midwifery skills that I have already gained, allowing me to gain new skills that can be transferable to other developing countries but also useful in UK.

The cost of this trip is a considerable amount and being a student as well as a mother, I am asking for donations, towards the cost. Donations would be highly appreciated. All money raised will help go towards my flights, accommodation and vaccinations.

I would like to thank everyone who donates and supports me in advance, Your contribution is much appreciated.

Thanks again,

Brittany xx