Juliana's Medical Volunteer Trip to Africa

Hello family and friends! My name is Juliana Cortez and as some of you may know, I’ll be graduating nursing school from Wake Technical Community College this December 2023. Before starting this program, I dreamt of having the opportunity to volunteer abroad to expand my perspective and experience new cultures.

This summer, I’ve been accepted for an opportunity to go on a medical volunteer program to Livingstone, Zambia for about 2 weeks in June. I’ll be going with a volunteer organization called International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). I’ll gain international medical volunteer experience while improving healthcare outcomes in Zambia. IVHQ’s medical project allows volunteers, like myself, to assist in clinics in low-income communities, shadow qualified doctors and nurses, and gain hands-on experience by helping with a range of medical tasks. During this program, I’ll be able to assist with wound care and pre and post-natal work, as well as work in preferred specialties like pediatrics, midwifery, HIV/AIDS, gynecology and family planning. Volunteers are housed 4-7 miles from their volunteer post so I’ll be prepared to walk, bike or taxi to commute to and from work.

The local medical teams need basic medical supplies such as non-sterile and sterile gloves, gauze, blood pressure cuffs, oral thermometers, etc. My goal is to pack a separate bag full of supplies to donate to the local teams that I’ll be working with!

My goal for raising funds is to offset the costs of this trip which include but are not limited to: program fees, housing, airfare, medical supplies, additional required documentation fees for travel, and more!