My name is Andrew Shearn and I am currently a sophomore attending Notre Dame. This winter a group of fellow Notre Dame students and I will travel to Nicaragua for a week under the organization of Global Medical/Dental Brigades to serve as medical and dental volunteers in a community that has very limited access to health care. We will be bringing along with us professional physicians, dentists, dermatologists, and OB/GYN’s to care for adults and children in a high-quality manner, while the rest of the volunteers will directly aid the professionals and patients in a hands-on environment. Volunteers including myself will obtain valuable medical experience throughout the process, and will be able to work and interact with the patients directly as we assist the medical professionals. As the week goes on, I will also be able to experience and learn about Nicaraguan culture and the prevalent health issues in Nicaragua’s local communities, as well as developing a better understanding of illness prevention and treatment in general.

Although there is imbalance of the availability of the health care within the United States, it is still important for me to exhibit concern for global health care, as there are communities that have even less access to health care, health education, and healthiness/well-being than the most impoverished Americans. While it is true that we have problems within our own nation to fix, we must look at these problems through a global perspective that considers beginning with those in the worst situations. Through adopting a global approach to health, we can educate ourselves and others about the most significant problems faced around the world, and work towards creating a world in which the fundamental right to live a life with access to healthcare and health education is propagated equally worldwide.

By participating in this brigade to Nicaragua I will be able to have a more significant impact on the quality of life for people around the world who are not as fortunate to live the lifestyle that I do. Not only will this happen both in terms of providing medical aid and assistance, but also through educating myself and others about issues of global health. I will obtain excellent hands-on medical experience that will be very useful and pertinent to my hopeful future in the field of medicine, especially considering that I may work in a field that deals directly with patients, as perhaps a physician or pediatrician. I am very excited to have this opportunity to promote global health through my actions in Nicaragua, and look forward to being able to help others in a way bigger than just the material or monetary donations I have provided in the past. I have never before been presented with such a hands-on opportunity, and I know that I will come home with a greater concern for the universal well-being of all people and a large amount of experience that will enable me to discover what it is that I want to contribute to the field of medicine in the future. While in Nicaragua I will be exposed to insightful and educational person-to-person interaction through the direct medical aid and services that I will be able to provide, and possibly see the results of as well.

However, it is only through support and contributions from donors that I am able to make this volunteer service trip a reality, as the cost of $1500 is too much for me to handle alone. I will be putting forth a significant amount of my own money towards this trip, but I also need the help of others to be able to provide the highest level of care to the Honduran people. All donations towards the trip cover the costs of materials and supplies needed to provide quality health services. Both the medical professionals and student volunteers are serving free of charge, and all monetary funding goes directly to the purchase of medicines for distribution and prescription, basic health care necessities, medical supplies, and sanitary equipment and tools. Please consider donating even a small amount towards my cause. I appreciate every single dollar funded in my name to make this trip a reality for me, and even if you are unable to contribute I appreciate you taking the time to read about my cause and expressing your interest in it. Thank you greatly!

Andrew Shearn