Four members of the women’s soccer team are currently in Nariobi, Kenya as part The Citadel Medical Camp under the guidance of Director of Health Sciences/Associate Professor of Health & Human Performance, Dr. Sarah A. Imam, MD.

The Citadel Medical Camp is the largest free primary care medical camp in Kenya. In 2023, it served 5,722 patients who resided in the slums and sadly had no access to healthcare at all.

The clinic has units for medicine, dentistry, treatment, ultrasound, EKG, physical therapy, pharmacy, and triage. The Citadel students rotate through all units but can focus on where their interests lie in conjunction with their program of study.

“I have been extremely humbled to witness the lifestyle and culture in such candid circumstances,” says Ellie Belcher. "We have been welcomed with open arms, even sharing traditional Kenyan meals, learning the Swahili language, and sharing in some of our common interests. One if the best ways to do this has been through soccer!! 

The only institution in the United States that has its own medical camp without working in partnership with other organizations, The Citadel Medical Camp designs and executes the camp themselves.

All total, the students gain approximately 160 hours of healthcare experience to complement their academic studies.

“Not only have I grown to appreciate many elements of Kenyan culture,” continued Belcher. “I have also been able to dive deeper in my relationship with teammates and other Citadel Students. We have formed unique bonds through serving and created memories to last a lifetime.”

For more information and pictures from the trip, follow the group on Facebook.