Hi Everyone!

My name is Paloma and I am a recent graduate from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, in the Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences department.

And now I'm going to Greece ...or at least I'm trying to!

I was recently offered a volunteer position with the Dutch Organization Stichting Bootvluchteling (http://bootvluchteling.nl/en/) to help provide aid to refugees. I would be primarily helping establish an educational program for children in the village of Malakasa. Unfortunately, since most of their funds are used to provide direct services to refugees, they are not able to cover my airfare or housing. This is where I need your help.

After doing some research, I've concluded that on average, rent in Greece runs about 300$ a month, and I could get airfare from Spain (where I'll be residing as of June 1st) for around 300-400$ as well. I would like to commit to 3 months of volunteering, and so 1,500$ would cover 3 months rent+airfare+living expenses.

I really want to do this. During my time at Tulane SPTHM I have been instilled with a genuine desire to use my knowledge about health, health education, and health equity to provide a service to people who really need it.  I consider it my duty. I'm not going on vacation (days are expected to be around 13-14 hours long). I'm not getting paid (despite taking on tens of thousands of dollars in debt). I just really want to help, mostly because I believe that I can.

Thank you so much everyone for everything and anything you're willing to donate! Every bit helps. Love you all.