Volunteer Programs in Guayaquil, Ecuador

My experience in mental health support as a volunteer has been a transformative journey that has brought hope, healing, and positive change to individuals facing mental health challenges. Through my dedicated involvement in a volunteer program, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that compassionate support and advocacy can have on the lives of those struggling with mental health issues. As a volunteer, my focus was on providing emotional support, guidance, and a listening ear to individuals navigating their mental health journeys. I worked closely with mental health professionals and other volunteers to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals could express their thoughts, share their experiences, and receive the support they needed. Each interaction was an opportunity to offer empathy, understanding, and encouragement to those facing mental health challenges. I engaged in one-on-one conversations, support group sessions, and community outreach initiatives, all aimed at destigmatizing mental health, promoting self-care, and encouraging individuals to seek professional help when needed. The impact of my volunteer work extended far beyond the immediate moments of connection. Witnessing individuals find solace, experience breakthroughs, and regain a sense of hope and purpose was incredibly gratifying. Through consistent support, I observed individuals develop coping mechanisms, build resilience, and embark on their personal journeys towards healing and recovery. Moreover, my experience as a volunteer broadened my perspective on mental health. I deepened my understanding of different mental health conditions, their impact on individuals and communities, and the importance of holistic approaches to mental well-being. I actively sought out continuous learning opportunities, attended workshops, and engaged in discussions to enhance my knowledge and skills in mental health support. The cultural diversity within the volunteer program further enriched my experience. I had the opportunity to engage with individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. This diversity fostered a sense of inclusivity, allowing for the exchange of diverse perspectives and the discovery of common humanity. It reinforced the importance of cultural sensitivity and tailored approaches in mental health support. Now, I am passionate about spreading the word about the significance of mental health support and the power of volunteering in this field. By sharing my experiences, I aim to break down the barriers of stigma, raise awareness, and inspire others to become advocates for mental health. Together, we can create a society that prioritizes mental well-being, supports those in need, and fosters a compassionate and inclusive environment for everyone.

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.

I’ve never shadowed dentists before, but after just a week of shadowing at Coast Provincial General Hospital, I witnessed procedures that I never would have imagined seeing. I spent a lot of time in the minor oral surgery room because I’m interested in specializing in oral surgery after dental school. During the first hour of every shift, all the interns and dentists gathered in the minor oral surgery room and did dental rounds on cases of patients. This was my favorite time of the day because it was a great opportunity to be in a discussion setting. I listened to the dentists talk about unique cases including facial and oral tumors, and a lot of the times, the cases would be truly uncommon in a dental setting back in Canada. Reflecting on my journey today, I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible individuals I’ve met along the way. Although public healthcare in Kenya is completely different than a setting that I hope to work in the future, I’ve realized that what makes a great dentist is all the same, no matter where in the world. A great dentist should be someone who is not afraid to make sacrifices for the ultimate greater good of health, and that is to do the best you can for as many people as possible. My memories with IMA are definitely ones that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Before I arrived, I had a full schedule planned for me so I knew exactly what I had to do. I had three meals a day planned out for me, but also had the flexibility to go out to eat. My cultural trek to the Masai Mara was also very organized. I enjoyed being a guest of IMA my entire trip and definitely would say that IMA made me feel comfortable during my trip to Kenya.

As a pre-Physical Therapy intern, I was one of the first interns to ever come to work in the Therapy Department; therefore, it was a new experience both for me, and the therapists that I worked with. Everyone was very open and excited to teach me everything from their treatment methods to their favorite foods. The amount I learned from each therapist in the department, whether I personally shadowed them or not, is immeasurable. On top of the success I had in my department, the relationships that I made with the other IMA interns was something that made my experience even more amazing. Sharing stories from our days in the hospital, having tough conversations concerning things that we saw, and exploring Kenya together is something that I will always cherish. Altogether, my experience with IMA was rewarding, impactful and life changing in many ways. My experience to the Masai Mara was amazing! I loved being able to see wild animals in their natural habitat, without any outside influence from humans. One morning, we even woke up to giraffes and elephants right outside our bedroom window. The safari is a must for all interns! Upon my arrival in Mombasa, Kenya, I was completely unaware of the impact that the International Medical Aid internship program would have on me as an individual, and further, an aspiring Physical Therapist. The culture in Kenya was overwhelming, in the best sense. It completely engulfed me and allowed me to explore the ins and outs of a foreign culture and healthcare system. My experience through this internship program provided me the opportunity to break down various barriers, allowing my perspectives and attitudes towards everyday situations to be transformed. Mombasa, being one of the two cities in Kenya that has major hospitals, has a public teaching hospital called Coast General Provincial Hospital. It is here where my internship began, and where I was able to learn from multiple different therapists to broaden my knowledge on Physical Therapy and foreign healthcare systems. My experience at Coast General, located in an area of extreme impoverishment, provided me with an environment that required me to understand and break down socioeconomic, racial, cultural and language barriers. The way in which Kenyans welcomed me into their country, and made sure I was learning everything that I possibly could, made me have a whole new respect for the way in which they live their day to day lives. Although I was from a different continent, and looked so different than the native population, I never felt as if I was a minority. I have always believed that people should be treated as human beings and not any differently based on their characteristics, and this experience allowed me to gain more perspective on this idea than I ever thought possible. I learned that being open and eager to learn about all groups of people enables individuals to gain insight and understanding of the world as a whole, expanding the capabilities and assets that such people have. I believe that having this desire and drive is important for Physical Therapists working in all settings, and I trust that it will benefit me greatly in the future. Through this perspective, I also learned the impact that a simple smile and wave has when there is a strong language barrier, being calm in situations that are outside one’s comfort zone, and asking tough questions when one does not understand a cultural practice of another group. In addition to these barriers that I learned to overcome through gaining perspective, the atmosphere of the hospital also presented itself with barriers concerning the resources and population of Coast General. The hospital is extremely under resourced and overcrowded, which gives ample opportunity for high stress situations. This atmosphere creates a barrier in itself, which often requires health professionals to make difficult decisions regarding the number of patients they will see in a given amount of time and the amount of resources they will use. From this, I learned from Kenyan Therapists the importance of patience, and giving their undivided attention to each patient in order to see the best results. There would be many times where the therapists would be called to other wards to see other patients, but they were always sure to stay with their current patients until the very end of their care. From the first moments I knew I wanted to become a Physical Therapist, I always admired the relationships that therapists had with patients based on the level of interaction that they had, and how they genuinely cared about their quality of life. By being able to form relationships in Kenya myself, I was able to practice this characteristic of Therapists that I thought so highly of at a whole new level. Through this experience, I learned how to better understand and adapt to stressful situations by remaining patient, but efficient, in order to give each individual that I form relationships with the proper care that they deserve. Altogether, my experience in Mombasa, Kenya allowed me to acquire skills and perspectives that I hope to use in order to become the best Physical Therapist I could be. My experiences with this program not only reaffirmed my interest to become a Physical Therapist, but greatly expanded it due to the characteristics of the therapists and hands on work that I was able to observe. I desire to continue to give and learn from each community that I am able to work with, in order to continue expanding my knowledge on various groups and characteristics of people. The perspectives that I gained from this experience will stick with me throughout the course of my future career, where I will continue to learn and build upon them.