Nursing major to speak about Malawi

Linda Robertson, registered nurse and senior B.S.N. nursing major at Clarion University, will speak about her experiences in Malawi, a place known as “The Warm Heart of Africa,” on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in room 250-252 Gemmell Student Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Robertson, who has a passion for mission work, recently spent several weeks in Africa living with the Malawian people. She will discuss the various hopes, dreams and challenges women face in Malawi. She will elaborate on the adverse effects of HIV/AIDS and explain the idea of being a global citizen.

“I want to do something different with my life which will make a greater impact on the world,” said Robertson. “I decided that sharing my experiences would be beneficial in raising awareness of life in a third world country, particularly for the women and children who are oppressed in a land already plagued with famine and disease.”

Malawi, about the size of Pennsylvania, is located in the sub-Saharan (central) part of Africa. It is the third poorest country in the world, with very startling gender differences and life expectancy and fertility rates.

Robertson, from Avalon, is a registered nurse and a Clarion University senior, majoring in nursing. In fall 2008, she will begin the masters program in nursing education.

The presentation is part of a series entitled “Women in Conflict Zones: War, Peace and Reconciliation,” sponsored by the Clarion University Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and Women’s Studies Program. Clarion University’s Black Student Union, in recognition of HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and Women United are co-sponsoring the presentation.