Nursing Home Visit: Community Service Project
The Faculty of Pharmacy at Tishk International University (TIU) arranged a visit to a Nursing Home in Erbil on 18th of May 2023. The activity was organized and supervised by Dr. Sana, Dr.Areej and Dr. Darya, and coordinated with the help of Dr. Rozhan Arif. The Dean of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. Vedat Koksal, and Dr. Hajer, Dr. Sharad and more than 30 students from all grades participated in this social activity.
Prior to the visit, a fundraising campaign was held to collect funds. With the generous donations from our staff and students, approximately 1,000,000 IQD was collected. These funds were used to purchase and package various types of gifts and necessities, including clothing, personal hygiene products, and food. Our student volunteers actively participated in this community service project, contributing to its success.
On February 26th, 2023, the first visit was conducted to the nursing home to gather data and observe their requirements. Our responsible research assistants thoroughly explored the area and discussed the needs and expected activities with the staff. Subsequently, our staff visited the bazaar on May 4th, 2023, to procure the items from the required list. Another visit was organized with our students and volunteers to purchase fruits and sweets for the final visit. Volunteers were responsible for preparing and organizing the gifts, such as flower arrangements containing general questions.
The faculty staff and students were warmly welcomed by the Nursing Home Director and other members, and engaging conversations took place regarding administrative matters concerning the elderly home. The team was then given a tour of the facility, visiting the rooms where the senior citizens reside. The administration introduced the TIU team to the Nursing Home residents, highlighting the health conditions and disabilities some of the elderly members face. Students had the opportunity to interact with the residents and enjoyed spending time with them, listening to their emotional stories, which students found touching, informative, and impactful.
During the visit, a speech about the importance of happiness in all stages of life was delivered by Helin Khalid, a second-grade student. The elderly residents of the home expressed their satisfaction with the visit and enjoyed the company of our staff and students. To ensure their happiness and well-being, our team promised to visit them again and provide for their needs. This visit provided our students with a valuable experience, allowing them to connect with the elderly residents, share their hardships and joys, and receive wise advice from one of the elderly members. The encouragement given by the elderly member, specifically regarding future pharmacists, was wise and unforgettable.
This community activity served as a motivation for our students to reflect on how they can contribute to society and help enhance the lives of those in need, making a positive difference.
https://tiu.edu.iq/fundraising-event-for-community-service-projects/
