An unforgettable Kenyan experience

But just when things seemed to be going her way, another obstacle presented itself.

“They told her she could leave and the next day she comes back in and she’s still wearing her hospital gown, so I asked one of the dentists why is she still here, I thought she was discharged yesterday,” said Blore.

“They told me she was being detained because she couldn’t afford her bill. And my heart broke. I was so so sad.”

The medical bill was equivalent to about $800 CDN, not an affordable amount for the average Kenyan.

“I was so angry at the system, I was so upset. They worked so hard to save her life, only to detain her,” said Blore.

“There were a few other dental interns with my program that also had become fond of Sara, so we kind of went around and told people in other areas and other departments about it. There we re five of us who got together and got the money and donated it directly to her hospital bill. We went in secret, kind of, and paid her bill,” said Blore.

“On the very last day of my internship, I was saying goodbye to everyone. She (Sara) came in and was asking for me … she just brings me in and hugs me for 10 minutes and wouldn’t let me go. She had tears in her eyes and said ‘both of my sons are here today ... they’re taking me home. I don’t know how, but I’m going home!’

They were finally able to let her go because her bill was paid for in full.

“It was a full-circle moment, and it m ade my entire experience so happy and joyous because she finally got to go home, against every odd. They thought she wasn’t going to make it the moment she came in ... so that was THE best moment for me.”

She said she is still in contact with many of the doctors and fellow students she met during her internship.

“I became so close with each and every one of them, and they taught me so much. They all wrote me a note and a goodbye and they all said how I positively impacted their days, and they appreciated my enthusiasm to learn and my respect for the patients, and they learned from me as much as I learned from them,” said Blore.

“It was just so eyeopening and changed my whole perspective. I’m starting dental school at U of S in August, and just getting to go into dentistry w ith those experiences behind me—I hope I can kind of bring awareness to my class.”

To find out more about the IMA program visit them online at medicalaid. org/contact-us/.