Newtownabbey Methodist Mission member taking on vital role in Africa

Pat Jamison, who has been a full member of Newtownabbey Methodist Mission for over 20 years, will be travelling to her new nursing position in Ankasse, Ghana, on Saturday, March 26.

Originally from Rathcoole, Pat has previously spent time working in a number of countries including Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia, Uganda and Sierra Leone.

During the five and half years she spent in Bangladesh, Pat worked as a Community Health Adviser for the Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP). After spending three years in a rural area she then moved to the central office in Dhaka and was involved in the implementation of the Community Health and Hygiene section of the development programme.

Pat is excited about heading to Ghana. She said: “I am really looking forward to my time in Ghana. It is a new challenge and I am up for challenges. I know that God is going to use me in whatever way, whatever form he has for me. I am excited to be able to go and work in another country with different cultures again.”

While in Ghana, although connected with the Methodist Church, Pat will be working with local people in the region. She will travel out by herself and meet with local people in Ghana, whom she will work with. The local church in Ghana will provide her with accommodation while she is working there.

The Newtownabbey-based nurse is still uncertain as to all of the work that she will have to do while in Africa. She said: “I am not completely certain exactly what my work will involve, as I have never been there before, but generally I will be based in a place called Ankaase, which is a rural region around 20km from the town of Kumasi. I will be working in connection with the local hospital, but going out to patients in the rural area. I will be provided with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which will help me to get out to the rural communities. I will provide clinics and other services. It is all about public health. HIV is fairly high in the region, so there will be a lot of work in relation to that, including prevention.”

Pat is hoping to be home during the three-year period to visit her mother. She explained; “I can come home as many times as I like throughout my time there, as long as I have annual leave, but I have to pay my own flights.”

Pat would like people to pray for her as she embarks on the journey, to help her get used to the new culture and new situation, as well as praying for her own health as she needs to stay healthy in order to help the people in Ghana. She would also ask people to pray for her safety while she travels around, as the road network in the region is not very safe and to pray that she can provide a good service to the people.

A farewell service for Pat will be held in the Newtownabbey Methodist Mission at 7pm this Sunday (March 13). There will be lots of singing, sharing and prayers. The church would love to see as many of Pat’s friends come along so they can raise the roof. There will also be tea and coffee provided and plenty of time for a chat. The church is located at 35a Rathcoole Drive.

For more information on Pat’s journey in Ghana and the work that she will be doing, check out the Newtownabbey Methodist Mission Facebook page.