I am currently a student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Pharmacy School and have been given the opportunity to travel to Honduras on a Global Medical Brigades trip this winter with other students from my university. During this week long brigade, I will work with a team of volunteers and medical professionals to help an unprivileged community of Honduras gain access to the medical attention, pharmaceuticals, and health education that they need. The patients will be provided with medical consultations, dental work, gynecological exams, and medicine to help improve their overall health.

Global Medical Brigades also makes it a prime goal to maintain sustainability of health care and education within the communities. Local leaders provide follow-up and conduct health care trainings in between brigades, so that the long-term health of the people of Honduras can be improved.

Currently, more than 50% of the population lives in poverty, 40% without access to healthy drinking water. Most rural communities are not within several hours of a licensed medical professional. We need to work towards changing this for these communities.

It has always been a dream of mine to embark on a service trip like this. Someday, I hope to work as a pharmacist in a public health setting, so hopefully this trip with help me gain experience and insight for my future career. I am so excited that it’s finally happening, but the people of Honduras and I need all the help we can get! If you choose to donate, your donation will go towards purchasing medical supplies and medications; hiring local doctors, dentists, and pharmacists; funding program sustainability; and other brigade-related expenses (such as housing and airfare). Donations are tax-deductible. When a donation is completed online, the donor automatically receives a tax receipt.

To watch a video about the brigade, visit: http://vimeo.com/32866393.

Thank you!