“Her only belongings were a couple of sarees and a few coins, and yet she managed to give to the needy every day.” This is how Ms. Madhavi described Mother Teresa in a character development class I attended. As a five-year-old, I remember thinking about it for days and asking my parents if I could meet her. Thus began my exploration of service. Community Service is an integral part of my family. Growing up, weekends always involved some kind of service activity. For birthdays, my parents would ask the guests to donate to a cause rather than bring me presents. "We are blessed with more than enough,” they would say. I remember getting annoyed by this, especially when my friends showed off their gifts. One year, as I protested, my father took me to the shelter where the gifts were being donated. Seeing the joy in the children's eyes, frustration melted away into compassion and gratitude. I never asked for gifts after that.

The following year, I interned in a rural village in India. I was there to teach English and inspire the local children to pursue high school education at a minimum. The village relied on well water, which turned quite chilly overnight. My body struggled with the cold showers in the mornings. Noticing this, the local children heated up water on a coal stove and brought it to me each morning. I do not know if it was their affection, or their smiles, or the environment, but those were the best showers of my life. They hardly knew me, but they treated me like their own. It was such a humbling and powerful lesson on compassion and inclusion.

That trip changed my perspective. I started noticing how beautiful and loving people are—not just in the village in India but everywhere, even back home in Seattle. Upon returning home, I felt a certain emptiness. I kept searching for something. As if to answer my deepest questions, my character development class introduced the Sanskrit expression: “Paropakaram Idam Sareeram,” (this body exists to serve others). At that moment, I felt a wave of peace and a sense of purpose. I realized I found my calling. India Medical Mission will help me fulfill my purpose even a little bit more. My passion for nursing stemmed from all of my small experiences and I am committed to make a greater impact on others lives while deepening my love for medicine.

India Medical Mission's focuses on providing a unique opportunity to assist the lower income populations in India, where access to healthcare may be limited, especially in rural areas. IMM will allow me to immerse myself in the local culture, interact with different communities, and gain valuable insights into expanding my clinical skills, improve your medical knowledge, and develop a global perspective on healthcare." Lakshmi Tanusri Konakalla

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