Donation protected
I remember the first time I found out about Doctors Without Borders. I was just a freshman at Universidad Central de Venezuela, one of the best schools at my home country, and I couldn't wait to graduate to go abroad with them. By the time I did have my diploma, I found out I couldn’t volunteer with them just yet, because I haven't acquired my specialty, I am a general practicioner. For the time being this has allowed me to collaborate with a series of health practices in rural areas from Nairobi, Kenya to Katiti, Uganda. Most recently I have set sights on three projects in India.
My name is Ana Corina Falcón and I am a 25-year-old venezuelan who was bred as a professional in the public hospitals of a country in need. I find it hard to describe the faces of patients who seek your support and medical attention blindfoldedly, and the deep desire I feel to help them. This has motivated me to want to expand and explore health systems with a high volume of patients in hopes of gaining experience and essential tools to bring back to Venezuela. Here, I have grown to worry about the large gap in the capacity of a private health institution to care for patients, and that of a public one. My wish is for no patient to have to leave unattended for lack of resources.
I got selected to do volunteer work in Kenya in 2013, for 9 weeks teaching First and Second graders while conducting deworming journeys in local communities and primary schools. Working with almost no means taught me how valuable human capacity is in areas of scarcity and how one person devoted to a cause can truly make a difference. This brought me to the next step of my journey: INDIA.
First stop: New Delhi (Feb – Mar)
One of the largest hospitals in the city accommodates a department for unprivileged patients with few to no capacity of paying for medical care. My duty will be mainly devoted to the Emergency Room where I will be working along local doctors treating patients, explaining prescriptions to illiterate patients and helping them acquire their medicines.
Second stop: Lucknow (May – June)
I will work with an NGO called Tulsi Gramodyog Seva Samiti, traveling daily to communities 30 minutes to 5 hours away where we will offer pre-scheduled medical visits.
Third stop: Vijayawada (July - August)
The most challenging Project of all, where I am expected to be the attending physician in villages near the city where primary care is basically inexistent.
* For the second and third project fundraising is extremely relevant as no financial support is given by government nor non-governmental entity. We must engage in both medical and financial activities in order to offer proper diagnosis and treatment to the local population.
Now, after dozens of Skype interviews, recommendation letters, contracts and emails inquiring for budgets, I am facing the following expenses for my 7 month journey:
- a $2000 airplane ticket,
- $400 a month in accommodation,
- $900 for traveller’s insurance,
- $1000 for medical supplies
- plus food and transportation which are not included in the volunteer programs.
Taking into consideration the exchange control regime in Venezuela and my inexistent compensation for the work in India, I am forced to reach out for help. This help will not only make my volunteer experience possible, but will provide the patients and the people I encounter with anything I can facilitate -- from a loving hand, to a 3-month medical treatment. I will work day and night to give and to live a story that will hopefully inspire other young professionals like myself to step out of their confort zones and take a risk for the greater good, jumping even without the possibilities to do so.
I deeply thank you for taking the time to read while dreaming of India with me and helping this cause. A cause from a Venezuelan doctor today, and from anyone close to you in the future. You can follow me and those I meet throughout the journey by reading the blog I will write from that side of the world to share the story and to discuss clinical cases. (http://doblehappiness.blogspot.com/2013/09/doble-happiness.html )
Thank you for being a part of this dream. Sending much love,
Ana Corina Falcón R.
My name is Ana Corina Falcón and I am a 25-year-old venezuelan who was bred as a professional in the public hospitals of a country in need. I find it hard to describe the faces of patients who seek your support and medical attention blindfoldedly, and the deep desire I feel to help them. This has motivated me to want to expand and explore health systems with a high volume of patients in hopes of gaining experience and essential tools to bring back to Venezuela. Here, I have grown to worry about the large gap in the capacity of a private health institution to care for patients, and that of a public one. My wish is for no patient to have to leave unattended for lack of resources.
I got selected to do volunteer work in Kenya in 2013, for 9 weeks teaching First and Second graders while conducting deworming journeys in local communities and primary schools. Working with almost no means taught me how valuable human capacity is in areas of scarcity and how one person devoted to a cause can truly make a difference. This brought me to the next step of my journey: INDIA.
First stop: New Delhi (Feb – Mar)
One of the largest hospitals in the city accommodates a department for unprivileged patients with few to no capacity of paying for medical care. My duty will be mainly devoted to the Emergency Room where I will be working along local doctors treating patients, explaining prescriptions to illiterate patients and helping them acquire their medicines.
Second stop: Lucknow (May – June)
I will work with an NGO called Tulsi Gramodyog Seva Samiti, traveling daily to communities 30 minutes to 5 hours away where we will offer pre-scheduled medical visits.
Third stop: Vijayawada (July - August)
The most challenging Project of all, where I am expected to be the attending physician in villages near the city where primary care is basically inexistent.
* For the second and third project fundraising is extremely relevant as no financial support is given by government nor non-governmental entity. We must engage in both medical and financial activities in order to offer proper diagnosis and treatment to the local population.
Now, after dozens of Skype interviews, recommendation letters, contracts and emails inquiring for budgets, I am facing the following expenses for my 7 month journey:
- a $2000 airplane ticket,
- $400 a month in accommodation,
- $900 for traveller’s insurance,
- $1000 for medical supplies
- plus food and transportation which are not included in the volunteer programs.
Taking into consideration the exchange control regime in Venezuela and my inexistent compensation for the work in India, I am forced to reach out for help. This help will not only make my volunteer experience possible, but will provide the patients and the people I encounter with anything I can facilitate -- from a loving hand, to a 3-month medical treatment. I will work day and night to give and to live a story that will hopefully inspire other young professionals like myself to step out of their confort zones and take a risk for the greater good, jumping even without the possibilities to do so.
I deeply thank you for taking the time to read while dreaming of India with me and helping this cause. A cause from a Venezuelan doctor today, and from anyone close to you in the future. You can follow me and those I meet throughout the journey by reading the blog I will write from that side of the world to share the story and to discuss clinical cases. (http://doblehappiness.blogspot.com/2013/09/doble-happiness.html )
Thank you for being a part of this dream. Sending much love,
Ana Corina Falcón R.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ana Corina Falcón
Organizer
Keller, TX
Michael Schweitzer
Beneficiary