Blake's Dental Volunteer Trip to Guatemala 2022

Hi everyone!

 

My name is Blake Sanchez and I am a Pre-Dental student studying at UC Santa Cruz with goals of becoming a Dentist one day! With a little under a year left before I begin applying for Dental schools across the nation, I am hoping to gain more experience in the field of Dentistry that will provide me with so many valuable teachings, challenges and opportunities to help those who may not have the best access to healthcare. Upon transferring to UC Santa Cruz, I learned about an amazing Volunteer Organization called VIDA (Volunteers Involved in Development Abroad) and took an interest in their Dental Program that takes volunteers on trips to countries across Central America.

 

This trip will be taking me, along with many other students from California to Guatemala starting June 13th, 2022 for a 10-day mission traveling to various rural towns and setting up same-day clinics to perform dental procedures and cleanings to those with poor access to healthcare.

 

Volunteers from the VIDA Dental program provide individualized, patient-oriented care, side by side with local dental physicians. Students like myself will develop basic dental techniques, identify anatomic structures, and understand the importance of implementing dental education to promote healthy communities. Going on this trip will teach me so many great things as I'll have the opportunity to diagnose and evaluate patients, perform proper brushing demonstrations to the local children, assist in extractions under the authority of a local licensed dentist, and I'll even get to practice my Spanish some more!

 

Unfortunately, all of VIDA's programs are run solely by volunteer contributions, and therefore this trip comes with a fee. In order to make this dream a reality, I need your help! The fee for this 10-day mission, including meals, lodging, and in-country transportation, totals to $1,500 (not including roundtrip airfare). My parents were nice enough to help in buying my plane ticket, but as a busy full-time student it has been hard to save excess money for opportunities like these with working limited hours with my tour guide job with the school.

 

So I am asking for help from my wonderful friends, family, and perhaps even strangers who are willing to help my cause. I know most of us (myself included) have been through a lot recently from this worldwide pandemic mentally, physically and financially. That being said I know some may not be able to donate much or even any at all, but I really just appreciate each one of you who took the time to read this and my cause. This support truly means the world to me, and I would greatly appreciate any donation to help me take part in this wonderful opportunity!

 

Thank you all so much!

-Blake