Rethinking Good Intentions

In this solo storytelling play, Nancy Edwards – a Canadian community health nurse – takes us to the rural villages of Sierra Leone in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Her heartfelt stories of village life convey the ravages of tuberculosis, threats of witchcraft, and tragedies of deaths related to pregnancy, childbirth and newborn tetanus. She celebrates mothers and local advocates for health improvements. While acknowledging her role as a cultural outsider, Edwards takes us behind the scenes and shares how her West African experiences shaped her life and research career.

The performance will be followed by a panel of discussants at York University, including Omosalewa Olawoye (director, Tubman Institute), Agnès Berthelot-Raffard (associate professor, Faculty of Health), Oghenowede Eyawo (associate professor, Faculty of Health), James Orbinski (director, Dahdaleh Institute) and Mary Wiktorowicz (Chair and associate director, Dahdaleh Institute).

Join us on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. for a live performance of Nancy’s play, Rethinking Good Intentions, followed by a panel discussion: eventbrite.ca/e/rethinking-good-intentions-tickets-1015663255137.