TEENAGER Charlotte Purcell went on work experience — and ended up delivering a baby.
The student, aged 17, from Kearsley, who is hoping to become a midwife, delivered the baby boy on her overseas work placement in the village of Moshi in Tanzania.
Charlotte, who is studying A-levels at Kearsley Academy, said the experience was amazing.
“When I went on work experience I never thought I would be delivering a baby,” she said.
“The doctor was standing with me, but I delivered the baby by myself, it was the most amazing experience — I cried. The baby was a boy and weighed 8 lbs.”
While in Tanzania she administered vaccinations to children, conducted scans and helped in the care of pregnant women, from the scans through to delivery.
Charlotte said: “It was such an experience, I have wanted to be a midwife since about the age of 10, after my mum told me should had wanted to be one.
“In Tanzania, I was thrown in at the deep end.”
She added: “I saw two babies die, which was so sad so awful. But I also saw 70 babies born. After qualifying, I would like to go back to Tanzania to help.”
Charlotte was keen to stress that students take advantage of any opportunities that come their way.
She said: “I was a little nervous, but more excited about going. There were 48 students and we have stayed in touch, including a girl from Dubai and we have already made arrangements to visit each other.”
Last week, Charlotte, who is applying for university places, led a series of assemblies sharing her experience with pupils at Kearsley Academy.
She travelled to a Tanzania after raising £3,000 through taking part in a number of events including bungee jumping.
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