Hello Everyone! I am a current first year medical student and am raising funds for an upcoming women's health medical mission to Antigua, Guatemala organized by Humanity First. Humanity First is an international non-profit humanitarian organization established to promote and safeguard human life and dignity. The women's health program is part of a larger “Gift of Health” initiative that strives to achieve health equity in underserved communities through surgical and medical capacity building missions, establishment of health centers, and upgrading of healthcare facilities with diagnostic equipment, medicines, supplies and other necessities. As part of then one-week trip, the humanity first team consisting of student volunteers, nurses, and practitioners will be taking part in three current programs outlined below. The money raised through my campaign will be going towards the purchase of supplies for the communities as well as accommodations for the trip.
In the past, the women's health program has provided gynecological care to over 1000 women in rural communities of Antigua including pelvic exams and cervical cancer screenings and treatment as well as conducted educational workshops on women's health topics like miscarriages, vaginal infections, and domestic violence. During this trip we will be continuing our collaboration with the midwives and traditional birth attendants (TBAs), also known locally as comadronas, to provide education and training as well as distribute prenatal and birth kits to them. We will also be providing pregnant and breastfeeding women with nutritional shakes and nutrition education. Our third program will involve work with teenage girls to teach them about menstruation and self-empowerment and will be providing them with reusable menstrual underwear.
My passion for community service and humanitarian work led me to medicine and I would like to continue giving back to our larger global community through this trip. Any contribution, big or small, would be greatly appreciated! If you would like to make a donation, you can donate directly to Humanity First using the following link https://fundraise.humanityfirst.org/give/59013/#!/donation/checkout and forward me your confirmation number. Thank you so much for your support!
-Maidah
