AUS students donate books to VINSAVE Pre-school Kingstown

In keeping with the pledge of aspiring physicians to serve selflessly, some medical students of the American University of St. Vincent School of Medicine (AUS) donated children’s books to the VINSAVE pre-school at Kingstown and read books to the children present at the institution at the time of their visit.

The group of medical students and assistant professor/dean of Student Affairs at AUS Dr Shakel Henson brought smiles to the faces of the children who were present at VINSAVE on Wednesday, July 27.{{more}} Stories were read to the children, who ranged in age from pre-school to secondary school level. It was a welcome change for the regular pre-school attendants, as well as the participants of VINSAVE’s summer school programme.

The medical students at AUS used the opportunity to work on their communication skills, which is vital in the field of medicine. In addition to reading books of varied educational levels, the medical students also engaged in conversation with the children at VINSAVE.

It was a fun and interactive session that even stimulated the interest of some of the older children to study medicine. Some of the books conveyed messages like determination and even outlined how various historic figures did remarkable work, which led to the benefit of others in their respective communities.

In the future, AUS aspires to continue its service to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Within the past month, medical students of AUS were also involved in educating the public about the need to be physically active so as to reduce risks of acquiring non-communicable diseases like hypertension. Additionally, there was increased awareness of the Zika virus disease, as well as measures that can be implemented to reduce one’s risks of getting this disease. (Contributed by Dr Shakel Henson)