Global Brigades is an international non-profit that empowers communities to meet their health and economic goals through university volunteers and local teams. We strive to improve equality of life by igniting the largest student-led social responsibility movement on the planet.

This fall I am embarking on a brigade to the heart of Nicaragua. Along with 25 other students, I will work towards integrating health and economic programs to meet a community's development goals. I will shadow local and foreign health professionals as they provide pro-bono dental procedures and medications to patients in rural communities. During my visit, I will be assisting with in-take, triage, medication packing, and health education. Sustainable healthcare is not a choice, it is a necessity.

In third world, developing countries such as Nicaragua, access to dental clinics are scarce, dental care visits and medicines are costly, and existing clinics are often underfunded and under staffed.Many clinics located near partner communities may be staffed with a dentist, but only have enough resources and materials to be able to perform extractions and not restorative or preventative services. Without restorative services, community members are left with no other option besides tooth extraction, which later results in dentures.

This practice does not emphasize the importance of teeth and how it can affect your confidence and over-all health. Our mission is to improve the overall oral care of under-resourced rural communities through access to quality services and preventative education.

I believe that a smile is the most precious gift you can give to a child. As an aspiring dentist, I have always dreamt of becoming a medical volunteer myself- hopefully this experience will take me one step closer to being able to use my knowledge and skills to heal smiles world-wide.

Humbly, I would like to request your help. I am in great need of financial assistance to defray my expenses for this medical mission trip. As you can imagine, my funds as a university student are very limited. Contributions of any amount would be greatly appreciated. I give you my word that every penny will be used to the very maximum to serve, to love, and to learn from every new friend that I will encounter in Nicaragua. All contributions will go towards my travel, food, lodging, and program fee (which covers mission essential items: medicine, medical supplies, security, translator/guide, and ground transportation).

I joined this brigade to not only nourish my passion for dentistry and helping others, but also to gain very important knowledge and skills which will help form me into an effective and culturally-sensitive dentist who is able to connect and establish strong relationships with all of my future patients regardless of any differences in our cultures. I firmly believe that the best way to achieve this goal is by “going to the people, living with them, and learning from them.” If you are able to, please consider making a contribution of any amount. This experience will truly be an enormous part of my growth as a practicing dentist.