Main fundraiser photo

Volunteer trip to Nicaragua

Donation protected
After three years of Peace Corps in Mali and Senegal, I knew that I wanted a more hands-on role in healthcare.  This was amplified by my time working at a hospital in North Carolina while I did my pre-reqs for med school.  Our current healthcare model is flawed, treating a disease without addressing the root cause is illogical, and leads to an endless cycle of disease as opposed to a HEALTHcare system that promotes education, empowerment, and self-healing, using more natural therapies.


Those of you that know me are aware of my passion for creating a sustainable health care, on an individual, local, and global scale.  As a naturopathic medical student, I am lucky enough to be studying a model of healthcare that focuses on the foundations of health, including empowering individuals to take active roles in their well-being.


As a student at Bastyr University, I have the exciting opportunity to continue my study of sustainable health systems from March 27-April 5, 2015, working with Natural Doctors International (NDI) on the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua!  


About NDI:

NDI believes that healthcare is a universal human right.  With that in mind they take brigades of medical students and professionals throughout the year where through service, education and research practitioners gain new insight in the practice of a holistic, sustainable healthcare model.


About the trip:

For 10 days, during spring break, I will be staying with a local host family while working with other students and doctors to provide free healthcare services to a rural community, where NDI has a year-round permanent presence.  Because of my ties to Senegal and my interest in rural health here in the USA, I am very excited to learn how NDI has managed to be successful in providing free naturopathic medical care in Ometepe.


How can you help:

Since NDI is a non-profit and provides free services to its patients, participants must cover the cost of the trip out of pocket.  I have started this page on GoFundMe (a safe and simple fundraising tool) to elicit your help in covering the costs of this trip.  Funds raised will cover airfare (~$700), program fees ($1,300 [which covers room and board, in-country transport, clinic support]), and other related expenses (travel insurance, supplies, GoFundMe fees, etc).

Every LITTLE bit will help; as a student and with the holidays approaching, I know times are tight!!!  As an expression of my heartfelt thanks for your support, I will send a postcard from Nicaragua to everyone who donates.

Please feel free to email me with any questions and pass this page along to anyone you think would be interested in helping.  Thank you for your support!
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $200 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $200 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Michele Lehman
Organizer
Seattle, WA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.