They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

The expression fits for the respiratory care technology program at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez and the natives of Ghana, Africa.

After receiving a vast amount of medical equipment, which is now obsolete in America, Co-Lin’s respiratory care technology program will donate each piece of medical equipment to Kansas resident Karen Schell, who will take the equipment on a mission trip to Ghana.

“All the medical equipment was donated by area hospitals and doctor offices,” Respiratory Care Technology Program Director Walt Wilson said.

Wilson said although the medical equipment is outdated in America, Ghana natives would be able to get the proper use of each item.

“Instead of throwing them away, we have been collecting them,” Wilson said.

Wilson discovered the Ghana mission while reading a blog on an education website, where Schell requested equipment to be donated for her mission trip.

Among the medical equipment that will be donated is a cardiac stress system, which will be the only system of its kind in Ghana.

“This could be some of the most technologically advanced equipment in Ghana,” Wilson said. “They may not do stress testing on it, but this could be the only EKG machine they have, which checks for electrical activity problems in the heart.”

Another piece of equipment that was donated was a Bear Cub ventilator, which is one of the few available ventilators in the country.

The ventilator is designed to provide support for the critical care management of patients.

From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, Schell will visit Co-Lin Natchez campus to discuss the issues in Ghana and why the equipment will be beneficial for the country.

Those who attend can assist Schell by bringing personal hygiene products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, baby T-shirts, blankets and washcloths to people in Ghana, Wilson said.

The program will take place in the Nelson Multipurpose room on the campus.

Several respiratory care technology students recently began packaging personal hygiene products for the trip to Ghana.

Kaitlyn Grayson said the respiratory program is challenging, and she was happy for a break to help box personal hygiene products for the natives of Ghana.

“They don’t have a lot of supplies there, so we are trying to help them out,” Grayson said. “I don’t mind giving my time and efforts to help someone improve their living conditions.”

Natrisha Dixon, who has been in the respiratory care technology program for one year, has worked along side Grayson to package personal hygiene items.

“I think it’s a good idea to assist with a worthy mission trip,” Dixon said. “They don’t have much in Ghana, so it’s fitting that we help the less fortunate.”