A group of 17 students from 蜜桃直播 (蜜桃直播) participated in a 10-day Global Medical Brigades trip to Honduras in late May. 蜜桃直播鈥檚 Medical Brigade Club spearheaded the trip and the group of students included individuals from the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate (PPC), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Science (MS) programs. Through the 2016-2017 academic year, the club fundraised and gathered supplies for the trip.
鈥淥nce we arrived in Honduras, we were instantly greeted with warmth,鈥� said Jason Lee, MEng 鈥�18. 鈥淲e learned about the holistic approach of Global Medical Brigades and our trip included community visits, public health, and medical and dental support. We visited a few communities in need throughout the trip and we were able to help families access clean water.鈥�
During the medical and dental portion of the trip, the 蜜桃直播 students visited El Ocote, a small town about four hours away from the capital Tegucigalpa. Through the group鈥檚 efforts of constructing toilets and showers in the small community, the 蜜桃直播 students delivered a tremendous impact for the families they visited.
鈥淥ur team was able to construct four toilets or 'pilas' for four families across El Ocote,鈥� said Kayla Yoshida, who graduated from 蜜桃直播鈥檚 Master of Science (MS) program on May 13. 鈥淚 felt a deep connection to my host family as we physically worked together while mixing cement and later spoke about our hopes and dreams.鈥�
To promote a healthy lifestyle, the 蜜桃直播 students also provided Hondurans with toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and floss.
鈥淥ver the course of three days, we were able to treat a few hundred people,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淲e provided consultation with a physician, OB/GYN, dental extractions, and even medication.鈥�
The 蜜桃直播 students certainly saw the need to return to Honduras each year and they aim to bring more of their classmates on the trip.
鈥淓very single person who went on the trip has a bittersweet feeling,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淲e want to go back and help the people in Honduras because we know that even a single person can make a difference.鈥�
Global Brigades USA is the world's largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization. Its mission is to empower volunteers to facilitate sustainable solutions in under resourced communities while fostering local cultures. Since 2005, more than 5,000 volunteers from 110 university groups have traveled to implement skill-based programs to benefit more than 100,000 Honduran and Panamanian community members.
鈥淎s I am heading to medical school in the fall, this trip has reaffirmed my passion for incorporating global health into my future practice,鈥� Yoshida said. 鈥淭he feeling of sharing life, time, and words with people from cultures different from our own is unmatched to any other.