Graduate story - Sonja

For nearly a decade, Masters of Nursing graduand Sonja Frischknecht has worked on board the Anastasis, one of three ships with the Mercy Ships organisation that provides health care to those in need around the world. She raises $18 000 per year to fund her life's passion of helping people from disadvantaged countries.

Working in your dream job without getting paid may sound strange but it is true for one USQ student.

In 1994 the intensive care nurse looking for adventures travelled to Switzerland for a year's working holiday. While there she heard about the Mercy Ships fleet and signed up for three months. Her initial two-year commitment soon stretched into nine years, taking her to 24 different countries including Ghana, Madagascar, Benin, Guinea, Gambia, South Africa and Sierra Leone.

"I began as a nurse in the ward, but after watching the incredible and very tangible difference in peoples' quality of life I knew I wanted to be a part of this work for much longer," she said."Watching children who had been born blind with congenital cataracts regain their sight after a 30-minute operation, witnessing peoples' dignity restored and despair turned into hope touched my heart, challenged my mind and expanded my spirit."

Completing a masters degree was a logical choice for Sonja who says she eventually wants to become involved in lecturing and teaching in the future. Studying with the assistance of a USQ scholarship also allowed her to focus on her work.

"This is my life and I love my work. I feel very blessed to be able to change peoples' lives for the better. Watching adults, who for years have been treated as outcasts because of their tumours and children who are hideously deformed have their lives transformed is a wonderful gift," Sonja said.

Sonja Frischknecht