Tag Archive for: Crocodiles of the World
Our students have talent and ideas to spare! While our students in Montpellier are getting involved in a solidarity project in Togo, our students in Nîmes have chosen Senegal and the city of Dakar for the annual humanitarian project organized by the Crocos du Monde association. It’s a wonderful initiative that we didn’t want to miss the chance to share. Here’s a report and an interview.
To learn more about the ins and outs of this project, we sat down with Joffrey Buland, the 2021–22 President of Crocos du Monde! Check out his interview below!
Hello, Joffrey. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us what your role is in this project?
Hello, my name is Joffrey Buland, and I am currently a second-year medical student in Nîmes. During the “Dakar 2022” project organized by Crocos du Monde, when I was a first-year medical student, I served as president of the association. The president’s role, in collaboration with the executive committee, is to organize the international project. We were responsible for communicating with local contacts, issuing requests for quotes for the end-of-year shipping container, and organizing its shipment as well as the trip to the destination.
Can you tell us more about this project? What did it involve?
This project was a first for Les Crocos du Monde; our goal was to launch an international initiative that would be more sustainable—a long-term partnership that could be renewed each year. It was with this same goal of sustainability in mind that we came up with the idea of the shipping container, to give a second life to the supplies we were able to collect throughout the year. Since Les Crocos du Monde is primarily focused on sharing and sustainable development, the idea seemed like a natural fit. The goal was to collect medical and paramedical supplies throughout the year through various partners, which were then shipped to Senegal—specifically to the Fatick General Hospital, located 150 km south of Dakar.
Why did you choose Senegal? What led you to make that choice?
We turned our attention to Senegal thanks to a doctor at the Nîmes University Hospital, Dr. Christophe Boisson, who helped us immensely in setting up our project. Dr. Boisson has been sending containers of medical supplies to Dakar for several years now; it was with him and our trusted contacts on the ground that we decided to focus our efforts on the Fatick General Hospital. This led to an official partnership between the Carémeau University Hospital and the Dakar University Hospital, of which Crocos du Monde and Fatick are branches. This partnership has three main areas of focus: the delivery of supplies—in which we participated—medical and paramedical training through the simulation center, and training for biomedical engineers and technicians.
How did you organize the collection of supplies?
The collection of supplies began with the hospital identifying its needs and providing us with a list. From that list, we selected the supplies we were able to obtain—those that were within our reach. The “Dakar 2022” project was therefore primarily focused on the nephrology unit, which is currently undergoing rapid development in Fatick. Once we had identified our target, we reached out to our partners—including individuals, other organizations, and, primarily, the Nîmes University Hospital and Dr. Boisson—and began our search and collection efforts.
All in all, what kind of materials were you able to collect? How much is that?
By the end of the year, we had collected enough to fill a 33 m³ container—that is, 2.5 metric tons of equipment. Most of it was urology and nephrology equipment, including catheters and urinary ostomy kits, but there was also some surgical equipment, such as ventilator circuits and laparoscopy kits. We were also fortunate to find large electronic equipment, seven emergency stretchers, and a delivery table. Since the goal was to give the items we sent a second life, all expiration dates were checked, and all electronic equipment was tested and refurbished as needed through Apelem, an association of biomedical engineers and technicians that is part of the partnership with the Nîmes University Hospital.
You were part of the trip in July. How did it go? What did you and your colleagues get out of it?
The four of us traveled to Nîmes with three second-year medical students, two of whom are now part of the executive committee. The goal was to take them on a tour of facilities such as the Fatick General Hospital, where they will be collecting supplies, so that they could get a clear idea of their upcoming 2023 project. At the same time, we wanted them to meet our trusted partners and local contacts, which will facilitate better communication in the coming year and help them understand the why, the how, and the for whom of the project. This trip was deeply rewarding on a personal level; it allowed us to observe and understand different hospital and cultural systems, each with resources that vary to some extent depending on the facility.
Does this inspire you to get involved in humanitarian medicine?
Humanitarian medicine has always been my main goal; even when I started PACES, my objective was to join Doctors Without Borders or other organizations so I could go on a mission. When I discovered the Crocos du Monde association, and had the opportunity—along with my friends—to get involved in my own way starting in my first year of medical school, I didn’t hesitate. This year has allowed me to further deepen and strengthen this dream for after I graduate.
What about future projects for Crocos du Monde?
To answer this question, I’ll turn the floor over to Chloé Messines, the new president of Crocos du Monde for the 2022–2023 term.
Chloé: Les Crocos du Monde has always focused on the partnership between the University Hospitals of Nîmes and Dakar, and more specifically on putting together the container of medical equipment; the bulk of our internal investment and the events we organize are aimed at funding this project. Furthermore, it is important for us—as well as for our Senegalese partners—to meet in person and confirm that the container was well received. Just as we did last year, Les Crocos du Monde are committed to traveling to Dakar and Fatick to connect with the people who made this project possible. Now, our goal for this year is also to foster a vibrant community life for our members by offering a wider variety of events (clean walks, school outreach, outreach patrols, etc.), with a focus on inter-organizational collaboration (such as our participation in the “Nîmes en Rose” project led by the midwifery association and “Pep’s Week” with Tutorat Santé Nîmes). In this way, we are relying on the motivation of second-year medical and midwifery students to ensure the association’s successful development.
Despite the announcement of the lockdown, the Faculty’s student organizations managed to support our students through this difficult time by organizing some wonderful initiatives throughout the month of November. Check out the November edition of the student organization recap!
Let's celebrate the mustache!
The month of November is often associated with Movember, a movement dedicated to raising awareness about men's health issues.
Our organizations got involved and shared photos of their best mustaches on social media while raising awareness about prostate cancer!
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Positivity goes hand in hand with activity!
We can't say it enough: exercise is good for your health! The ASMM understands this well and offers twice-weekly workout sessions on Zoom to stay connected with its members—which is essential for preventing isolation.
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Studying and taking classes at home require good organization in order to achieve one’s goals. The ASMM’s live yoga sessions and the AMESF’s positive messages have supported our students in this new way of working by providing them with a burst of positive energy.
Actions Taken!
The organization Les Crocos du Monde was able to participate in the outreach efforts organized by Samu Solidaire to help the most disadvantaged and the homeless by providing them with a hot meal and, quite simply, a little comfort.
November also marked National No-Smoking Month. AMESF took part in this initiative by launching an awareness campaign on the risks of smoking during pregnancy.
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Your tutorials—there for you now more than ever
Finally, we’ll conclude this article by highlighting the continuity of services so admirably provided by your tutoring teams, who never faltered in their mission during the lockdown. By offering online tutoring sessions, remote study groups, and even a virtual library, your tutors have once again demonstrated their creativity in supporting our PASS and PACES students as they prepare for their first-semester exams!
In addition, the tutors organized information-sharing sessions and a “parent tutoring” conference to support the parents of prospective PASS students. This initiative was greatly appreciated by the 50 families who attended this virtual event.
Upcoming event: the Tutoscars, mock exams organized by the UM’s three talented health tutoring groups— ATSM, TSN, and ATP—on December 5 and 19 for PACES and PASS students.
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Once again, our student organizations have made us proud of them, their initiatives, and our students. Stay tuned to learn more about their initiatives this December! #ProudOfOurStudents
We met AMEO earlier. Today, we’re heading to Nîmes and even farther afield with the Crocos du Monde association!
In a nutshell, what is the Crocos du Monde association?
Founded in 2007, “Crocos du monde” is the student humanitarian association of the Faculty of Medicine’s Nîmes campus. Its goal is to enable medical and midwifery students to get involved in humanitarian work—each in their own way—and to raise awareness of global disparities. The main objective is to organize an international solidarity project each year. Since the association’s founding, the Crocos have already traveled to Morocco, Burkina Faso, and even Togo last summer!
What activities do you carry out throughout the year? Can you tell us about them?
Throughout the year, we hold two major events: fundraisers for our international solidarity project and, starting this year, our local project in Nîmes, which has allowed us to implement social initiatives throughout our city.
To help fund our trip, we’ve been organizing events at our university since the beginning of the year. We’ve already held a few snack sales. During the holiday season, we raised money through gift-wrapping booths and a chocolate sale.
At the same time, the Nîmes project is structured around several initiatives, most of which are carried out in partnership with the French Red Cross in the Gard department, particularly for outreach patrols and visits to nursing homes.
Why did you join the organization as an individual member? What does your organization offer students?
I’ve always been interested in humanitarian work, and this organization has given me the opportunity to get involved through a variety of local initiatives that balance our academic commitments with the limited time we can devote to charitable activities.
This allowed me to become aware of the various needs around me and take action to address them, whether directly in Nîmes or through fundraising and preparing for the annual international solidarity trip.
Why and how do I join Les Crocos du Monde?
Our organization provides opportunities to get involved in social, community-oriented, and environmental initiatives. This allows you to get involved and stay true to your values. Furthermore, it complements your studies by fostering social connections and bringing you into contact with people in need.
You can join in September, after the back-to-school general meeting, and then at any time throughout the year. Simply fill out a membership form and pay a 10-euro membership fee by check or cash, and you’ll officially become a member of Crocos du Monde. The association is open to all students at the University of Nîmes (PACES/PASS, medicine, midwifery).
A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?
The election of our executive committee takes place in two parts:
- First, an executive committee (BR) is elected. Following an online campaign period, the election was held in early June. Due to the current health situation, we will hold the handover ceremony in person at the start of the school year.
- Then, in late September, second-year members of the association (medicine or midwifery) will be able to run for office. After a short campaign, the BR selects its executive board based on the number of candidates per position.
For more information, feel free to follow us on social media:
- Facebook: Crocodiles of the World
- Instagram: crocos_du_monde
- Website (updated this year): https://crocosdumonde.jimdofree.com/
- Email: asso.crocosdumonde@gmail.com
