Medical Missions Trip

My name is Hannah. I have been working as a nurse in various hospitals throughout Denver for the past five years. My career in nursing has proven to be so rewarding, and has provided me with endless learning opportunities. I have grown so much in my field, and there is still so much growth to be had! This past year has been quite an adjustment in the healthcare world (and entire world for that matter). It has been stressful, but also extremely empowering to step up and work as team players with my peers to get through this unprecedented time. I hope you have all stayed, and continue to stay, safe during these times. With hopes of a vaccine on the horizon, I pray this pandemic starts to come to an end, as I'm sure everyone does.

I am creating this GoFundMe to ask for your support. This past year, I have felt not only an immense growth in my professional life, but also in my spiritual life. I'm sure you can relate, but the unexpected turn of events has really forced me to dig deep and recognize what is important and what I value in this life. One of the goals I set for the upcoming year was to go on a medical missions trip. I have committed to taking that plunge in February, 2021. I am going to be spending a couple weeks in Antigua, Guatemala volunteering in medical clinics for the poor and elderly, as well as special needs facilities. I will be offering medical care that would not otherwise be provided to these groups, and I am very excited (and nervous) to assist in any way that I can. More than six million people in Guatemala (35% of the population) lack access to basic health and nutrition services.
 According to a 2017 Health Policy Plus report, the Guatemalan government does not have the economic ability to fully fund its healthcare system. The report states that “Limited public resources have inhibited the Government of Guatemala’s ability to meet the health needs of the growing population and comply with its constitutional obligation to provide health services as a public good.”
Guatemala has the highest rate of growth stunting in the Western Hemisphere and fifth highest rate in the world. Nearly half of all children under five are chronically malnourished and stunted. This lack of access to health services is a matter of life or death. The healthcare system faces shortages of medical workers due to poor working conditions, limited resources, and low paying positions. Conditions have continued to worsen under the present COVID-19 pandemic.


I am asking for support in any way possible-- be that prayers, notes of encouragement, or any amount of financial assistance. The cost for this is fairly reasonable compared to most programs. We, as medical volunteers, are required to supply our own PPE (gowns, face masks, plastic face shields) and first aid kits. Otherwise, the total costs include transportation (flights and travel once in Guatemala), meals, accommodation in a volunteer house or local homestay, online training, materials involved in the project, supervision, and other miscellaneous medical supplies and logistics.


I do hope to embark on this journey and make a difference in someone else's life that is less fortunate than I am. I hope that I can learn more about myself through this process as well. I plan on taking a lot of pictures and writing in a journal throughout this experience, and would love to share those with anyone who is interested!

I truly appreciate your time and support, It means a lot! Sending so much love, warmth, and prayers to all of you during this holiday season!