Kristi Mazdra

Columbia, Missouri

Passionate About:

SHARE THIS PAGE

$

2,302

Fundraised

2

Initiatives

Highlighted Initiative

University of Missouri PHB May 2013



Kristi's Message

I traveled to Honduras last summer with Global Medical Brigades, and it completely changed my life. I know that sounds cliche, but I can't think of a better way to describe the experience -the smiles of children, the incredible patience listening to my butchering of the Spanish language, and the inescapable gratitude from every person we helped. I couldn't help but notice that many of the ailments we were treating were ones that could be easily preventable if their living conditions could be improved just a little. It's no wonder so many people had respiratory infections and fungus infections. The stoves in their homes released smoke directly into their living space and blackened their ceilings, and the lack of proper sanitation led to them literally walking around in their own waste. The work I will do this summer with Public Health Brigades will be to make simple, yet life-changing adjustments to these individual's homes (latrines, water storage systems, stoves, etc.) that will create a sustainable improvement in their wellness. In turn, this will allow them to have better control of their futures, as well as their family's and their community's futures. I cannot wait to get back down their and help these wonderfully amazing people out!

Volunteer Activity Description

Public Health volunteers spend 7 days in Honduras, improving basic home infrastructure and providing health education to help reduce the incidences of life-threatening, but preventable, diseases in a rural community. With an understanding of the holistic model that focuses on education, community health sustainability and infrastructural development, volunteers first receive a comprehensive introduction to the country's public health challenges and the Public Health program's ground-up solution. They will take a tour of the community Public Health is currently working in, introduce themselves to the beneficiary families, and meet with the Basic Sanitation Committee (CSB). Then, working side-by-side with community members and local masons, volunteers construct five infrastructure projects meant to improve the health of the home and surrounding environment: eco-stoves, latrines, pilas (water storage units), showers and concrete floors. Additionally, as a key component of the program, Public Health volunteers collaborate with the Basic Sanitation Committee and local teachers to help provide community-wide education workshops and training, proliferating sanitation and hygiene practices and empowering families with both the knowledge and tools to live healthier lives.

100% Complete (success)
$1,502.00

of $1,502.00

in donations needed to reach the Initiative Goal


Complete

Thank you for your support!

100% Complete (success)
26

of 20

volunteers needed to reach the Initiative Goal


Live Feed
Kristi Mazdra donated $452.00 to Kristi Mazdra 4644 days ago
Kristi Mazdra donated $800.00 to Kristi Mazdra 4681 days ago
Kristi Mazdra donated $250.00 to Kristi Mazdra 4803 days ago
Kristi Mazdra joined University of Missouri PHB May 2013 4842 days ago
Kristi Mazdra donated $800.00 to Kristi Mazdra 5035 days ago
All Initiatives
Sort By: Past Upcoming
Loading initiatives ...
Date Initiative Name Donation Progress
No initiatives found.