Volunteer Programs in Guayaquil, Ecuador

My time in Kenya was incredibly transformative in so many ways. My cultural understanding, medical knowledge, and awareness of disease burden, politics, and healthcare quality all upgraded more than I could have ever imagined in 4 short weeks. From the moment I was greeted by the IMA staff at the Mombasa airport to my very last day, I was always comforted by the immense kindness and hospitality of the IMA staff and Kenyan people. I never had a moment where I felt unsafe, in fact, I would always feel a sense of love from every local I had encountered. When I arrived at the residence, I was astonished by how clean and spacious the residence was. The staff was incredibly accommodating and never failed to brighten the room. Linnet, Catherine, and Naomi constantly made sure the residence was in tip-top shape with the most amazing attitude. Linnet specifically treated me as if I was her own son, which made me feel like I never left home. I always looked forward to meals, because Joshua, the chef, did an amazing job of introducing Kenyan cuisine in new and delicious ways every single day. One of my favorite parts of my time in Kenya was with the driver, Francis, who became a lifelong friend and was always enthused to drive us anywhere in the Nyali area and provide amazing insight into what it is like to be a born and raised Kenyan. The food and culture I experienced were like no other. Our mentoring doctor, Dr. Shazim, who lead suturing, intubation, and resuscitation workshops, also took time to tour us on the best restaurants and street food Kenya has to offer. He also took us to a go-karting spot and a kayaking site where I made some life-long memories. Benson also did an amazing job showing us the must-see spots of Mombasa on the city tours. I was stationed at the Mental Unit of Port Reitz Hospital. My rotations sectioned my time between the Outpatient department, Occupational Therapy department, and clinical psychology. However, Psychiatry is an interdisciplinary field, so it was encouraging to see all the departments work cohesively as one unit despite the stark lack of resources compared to the western world. The lacking of sufficient resources was a constant theme throughout my experience at Port Reitz, but it was awe-inspiring to witness the creative lengths the staff managed to perform to deliver the best care they could despite the cards being stacked against them. On top of all the routine obstacles to the delivery of proper mental healthcare, during my time there, devastating nurses and physicians strike was in full swing. While this caused most public hospitals to be virtually non-functional, the few immensely altruistic nurses and interning physicians who still called to duty allowed Port Reitz Mental Health hospital to not only fully functional but adapted and evolved to make their healthcare delivery more efficient prior to the strike. It was thanks to these heroic few that I even still had the opportunity to shadow abroad, but more importantly, they kept from depriving the Kenyan people access to the second-largest Mental Health Institution in Kenya. Overall, my experience in Kenya is one that I will never forget. I recommend this program to everyone and the lifelong friendships I made in 4 weeks will have me back in Mombasa in no time.

My trip to East Africa was an absolute success thanks to all the IMA staff who protected us and worked hard on our behalf during our stay. From our daily drivers: Javan, Teddy, and Benson to our housekeepers and chefs, we were able to have every one of our needs met due to their efforts. Our safety was a top priority during our trip and we never had to sacrifice the feeling of comfort. I am grateful to have experienced the way of life and the Kenyan culture during my two-week stay abroad. I was able to grasp the true meaning of a developing nation as I was faced with the reality of Kenyan's way of life. Whether it was through the constant bus rides and the observations I was making of the roads, the houses, and the civilians. Or whether it was face to face on a daily basis at the public hospital where I interned in the dental unit, it was under these circumstances that I was exposed to a lifestyle that will forever linger in my memory. This mission trip will serve as a personal reminder for my long-term aspirations in the health care field. I would like to return as a dentist in the future and aid these people with my time, effort, and resources. I would like to extend my gratitude towards the International Medical Aid organization for allowing me to participate in this educational experience so early in my dental career.