Leaving the Snow for GROW
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 by Ashley Hagaman
As university students across the country finished taking their final exams and prepared themselves for a much needed break, GlobeMed members at Truman State University and Loyola University eagerly prepared to meet their partner organizations in Central America.
GlobeMed's GROW program (Grassroot On-site Work) provides students with all the resources they need to plan effective trips to their partner sites. On-site trips are a unique and powerful opportunity for GlobeMed students to directly connect with the organization they have been closely working with throughout the school year. Students enthusiastically convey that these experiences with their partner that they can really see their efforts making a difference. Scott Sandilands of Loyola explains, "we get to witness what we, as students, can actually do. It just lights that fire within us even more." GlobeMed students return to campus as better ambassadors for their partner and, most importantly, form and strengthen relationships with community members from their project site.
Between the final weeks of December and the first week in January, 8 students from GlobeMed at Truman State University traveled to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Students set out to work with their partner, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, on an infant and maternal health education project. Two groups spent separate ten day periods between December and January working on a evaluation for a Creole version of a maternal educational video, Enciende Una Luz. Along with the video, students participated in development and implementation of a children's camp health and hygiene curriculum. Rachel Flinn reflects on her remarkable experience, "We met locals who were so incredible, it made us want to work even harder towards our goals in GlobeMed". As students learn how much impact they can have on real global health issues, they also are kept humble and firm in their beliefs that partnership is essential for sustainable solutions and continue to grow mutual relationships of solidarity with their partner and fellow students.
A few weeks before Truman departed, 3 members of GlobeMed at Loyola were warmly welcomed in La Primavera, a small rural community in Guatemala. Marko, Scott, and Christian had only spoken with CasaSito over email and phone before arriving, but after spending a week with the community leaders and meeting so many incredibly motivated and eager residents they learned the true passion and dedication of La Primavera's village members. This area of Guatemala has been ravaged by violent civil war and ignored by the government. CasaSito serves as one of the only medical centers within the region. After visiting, the students had a much better idea of the best way GlobeMed can partner with CasaSito. The group has decided to help fund the education and training of local health promoters. Due to the large distance between the clinic and village huts, health promoters play a crucial role by accompanying patients in remote areas through treatment, monitoring their needs for food, housing, and safe water, leading education campaigns, and empowering community members to take charge of their own health. Without these promoters, several hundred villagers may be left without access to any type of health care. GlobeMed at Loyola will play a key role in bridging this gap between the clinic and the community.
Back on campus, students are fueled by the passion and determination they witnessed within their partner communities to meet their project goals and leave an impact on those the recently formed such close relationships with. More than 10 of our Chapters are currently planning their summer GROW trips. Look out for stories and blogs of these powerful experiences over the summer.
As university students across the country finished taking their final exams and prepared themselves for a much needed break, GlobeMed members at Truman State University and Loyola University eagerly prepared to meet their partner organizations in Central America.
GlobeMed's GROW program (Grassroot On-site Work) provides students with all the resources they need to plan effective trips to their partner sites. On-site trips are a unique and powerful opportunity for GlobeMed students to directly connect with the organization they have been closely working with throughout the school year. Students enthusiastically convey that these experiences with their partner that they can really see their efforts making a difference. Scott Sandilands of Loyola explains, "we get to witness what we, as students, can actually do. It just lights that fire within us even more." GlobeMed students return to campus as better ambassadors for their partner and, most importantly, form and strengthen relationships with community members from their project site.
Between the final weeks of December and the first week in January, 8 students from GlobeMed at Truman State University traveled to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Students set out to work with their partner, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, on an infant and maternal health education project. Two groups spent separate ten day periods between December and January working on a evaluation for a Creole version of a maternal educational video, Enciende Una Luz. Along with the video, students participated in development and implementation of a children's camp health and hygiene curriculum. Rachel Flinn reflects on her remarkable experience, "We met locals who were so incredible, it made us want to work even harder towards our goals in GlobeMed". As students learn how much impact they can have on real global health issues, they also are kept humble and firm in their beliefs that partnership is essential for sustainable solutions and continue to grow mutual relationships of solidarity with their partner and fellow students.
A few weeks before Truman departed, 3 members of GlobeMed at Loyola were warmly welcomed in La Primavera, a small rural community in Guatemala. Marko, Scott, and Christian had only spoken with CasaSito over email and phone before arriving, but after spending a week with the community leaders and meeting so many incredibly motivated and eager residents they learned the true passion and dedication of La Primavera's village members. This area of Guatemala has been ravaged by violent civil war and ignored by the government. CasaSito serves as one of the only medical centers within the region. After visiting, the students had a much better idea of the best way GlobeMed can partner with CasaSito. The group has decided to help fund the education and training of local health promoters. Due to the large distance between the clinic and village huts, health promoters play a crucial role by accompanying patients in remote areas through treatment, monitoring their needs for food, housing, and safe water, leading education campaigns, and empowering community members to take charge of their own health. Without these promoters, several hundred villagers may be left without access to any type of health care. GlobeMed at Loyola will play a key role in bridging this gap between the clinic and the community.
Back on campus, students are fueled by the passion and determination they witnessed within their partner communities to meet their project goals and leave an impact on those the recently formed such close relationships with. More than 10 of our Chapters are currently planning their summer GROW trips. Look out for stories and blogs of these powerful experiences over the summer.
