This year I experienced the highlight of my career – amazing in my 30th year!

I was asked to be involved in writing the paediatric subject for the Diploma of Nursing for 17 Nursing Colleges in Papua New Guinea (PNG) – an honour beyond words, particularly since half the population of PNG is under 18 years of age.

While creating the new paediatric subject, I addressed the transfer and administration of oral rehydration solutions and deciding whether the child needs a nasogastric (NG) tube and if so, can anyone insert one? I thought, if this skill were taught to all nursing students then the answer could always be yes.

Inserting an NG tube is difficult to master without a simulation doll: a rare asset in resource-poor countries. At the time, Kmart were selling a suitable doll with an ideal little nose. I purchased one and drilled into its head to give it nares that fit a size six NG tube perfectly. I drew some landmarks on the chest for accurate measurement, and the procedure was complete. But I needed 17 dolls and some spares!

Three Kmart store managers, on hearing my story, provided me with 25 dolls and charged me nothing. In addition to the nares and chest markings, I added guidelines for heel pricks on a baby by colouring in the appropriate areas on the soles of the feet.

The ‘SIM’ dolls were distributed to the nursing teachers at each college during a workshop they attended in Port Moresby. As their little bodies are soft, we were able to use them for teaching neonatal and paediatric basic life support as well.

To sit with nursing colleagues in PNG and listen to their stories is both wonderful and heartbreaking. Their ingenuity and ability to adapt when there are little to no medications or equipment, as well as their eagerness to learn and improve healthcare in their country, is awe-inspiring. To think that I may have made a tiny but significant difference to that knowledge …. well, there are no words.

Pippa Cadwallader