We’d like to share a story from Suzanne, a 111 Health Advisor Coach who will soon be involved in an incredible journey of her own to help others.
Joining a team of 10 collaborating with Sozo Ministries in Uganda, Susie will undertake a 10-day mission, working with adults and children from all walks of life living in Mbale, taking her a world away from her 111 role in Derby.
We spoke to Susie who told us: "I am going in around a month's time to work with local churches in Kampala and Mbale, with the government, the police service and local markets. I’ve done similar work in Sierra Leone, Mozambique and South Africa, but this is a new country for me, right on the equator at the mouth of the River Nile that I’m really looking forward to exploring."
Susie’s love affair with Africa began in 2010 when she first went to Sierra Leone, a journey initiated by a man called Ted, who had charity school in a deprived area. She added: “Our aim was to teach basic healthcare ranging from good nutrition to clean water, how malaria is transmitted to sexual health. Our hope was that this information would be passed throughout the communities and when we returned in 2011, my hotel room overlooked the community and I could literally see the desperation and destitution.
“It was a precious, pivotal moment for me emotional and spiritually. It affected me deeply on an emotional level and I just knew that there was more for me to do and that this was the beginning of my journey there. I received much more than I could ever give back and I knew there and then that I always had to return.”
However, in August 2023 Susie heard the news that Ted had very sadly passed away but just a few weeks later, on September 1st, news about a new mission trip came to light, this time it was to Uganda.
“I was reflecting on what I would say about Ted and my time in Sierra Leone when I realised that this invitation to Uganda was something I could do. It really excited me and I had to find out more. I knew there was no pressure on me to go but I just knew that I had to.”
As Susie makes her final preparations, she acknowledges that her faith and caring nature are a big part of what fuels her excitement: "I’m a person of faith, God is the centre of my life, and it really has been a remarkable experience, spiritual, fulfilling and life-changing both for me and the people I have already met and look forward to meeting in Africa. It will always be my home from home, and the connection I have with the people I met and loved will always be there."
For those interested in supporting or finding out more about Suzanne's Uganda mission, her crowdfunding page can be found at this link.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/susie-marshall?utm_term=kMZdJK9KQ