As a volunteer, I will work alongside the team to educate patients on maintaining their health and caring for their loved ones, while also helping to treat a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses such as dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, pneumonia, and digestive diseases. A key focus of the mission will be dentistry, as there is a high demand for dental care within the community. Additionally, we will emphasize women’s healthcare by providing general care for women and infants and supporting local midwives through education and skill development.
I will be serving local communities made up of families, children, and elders, many of whom have limited access to medical resources. The mission will involve providing general consultations, pediatric care, preventative screenings, and health education. This work will allow me to support patients from diverse backgrounds while learning from their cultural traditions and resilience.
Through this mission, my impact on the local population will come from providing direct care, education, and support to communities with limited healthcare access. At the same time, the experience will allow me to deepen my understanding of cultural differences in patient care, which will help me provide more individualized and compassionate treatment in the future. By serving underserved and under-resourced populations abroad, I will return better equipped to address similar challenges at home and to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who face barriers to healthcare.
I’m thrilled to share highlights from my recent life-changing trip to Ecuador with International Medical Relief (IMR)!
Our dedicated team made an incredible impact in a short amount of time. We delivered hands-on CPR training to local nursing and paramedic students, as well as members of the local and national police forces, reaching a total of 150 enthusiastic learners who are now better equipped to save lives!
Every day, we set up vibrant clinics in underserved communities, providing essential health education, acute care, help connecting patients to local follow-up resources, and much-needed dental services. We were honored to serve over 250 patients each day, bringing the week’s total to more than 1,000 individuals who received care and compassion!
We also donated hundreds of professional lab coats to eager local medical students, along with valuable medications and medical supplies to support local hospitals, helping sustain the impact long after we returned home.
Though our time in Ecuador was brief, the difference we made together was truly massive, and I’m so grateful to the Dox Foundation for making it possible for me to join this rewarding mission and help bring essential care to those who need it most.
What an unforgettable experience filled with purpose, connection, and hope!
