This volunteering experience at La Ceiba was my first volunteering activity ever and while I am not a doctor or a nurse I wasn't sure I was going to be able to provide help and I ended feeling highly satisfy with my accomplishments. The experience allow me to challenge myself and find creative ways in which I could be of help, even without getting a straight forward tasks from the people at the clinic, clear expectations and a defined role for me to do. I would certainly do it again, perhaps with more time (at least three weeks). This experience has provided me with personal growth as well as good memories and personal gratification. It also allowed me to meet wonderful people I am sure I will remind in contact with.
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer in Honduras. Everyone in the ABV Program really wants you to have the best experience possible. This program also allowed me to gain so much more hands-on experience than I would have been able to get in the U.S. I was able to take vital signs and assist in wound cleaning. I also observed C-sections and many other surgeries. All of the doctors were welcoming and thankful for our help. They were also willing to explain what they were doing and why. There is no doubt that I would recommend this program to anyone who is thinking about pursuing a career in the health care field.
I was excited to come to experience new things. I did have one bad day, but I didn’t let that stop me because so many great things happened after that. I want to be a neonatal doctor and being able to see the birth of two babies was just a driving force for me to never give up and that one day that could be. Like I said, you get what you put in. Now that it is time to leave I take away so many memories and experience that I will cherish forever.
I learned so much from this trip. The medical experience gained here cannot be experienced in the US. I watched a range of operation from a miscarriage, a C-section, a broken hand, actually lending a hand in the making of casts, starting an IV. I realized that so many people depend on these services from doctors. Costs are kept as low as possible in order for services to be accessible to the people. A dental cleaning was $5 and a tooth extraction was $2.50. A medical student was getting her cleaning done at the government clinic, and I think that says a lot about the quality of work for a low price. The doctors here are honest people who like to do their job.
My experience with A Broader View was great. It is so well organized and very affordable. You can find cheaper alternatives but you will be sacrificing this level of organization and the chance to do so much in the actual program. Not only did I gain a ridiculous amount of medical experience in just 2 weeks, I learned so much about Honduran culture and the way of life.
I've done a similar trip in Guatemala with another program but it cannot compare to going through ABV. The coordinator is with you every step of the way and cares that you are getting the most out of the program. As a result, I learned and saw so much that I wouldn't have been able to see as a volunteer in the U.S. I got to take vital signs, help out in wound care, and I learned to start IV leads and administer medications and vaccines. I got to witness live births and hear about the surgeries that other ABV volunteers witnessed. It was also cool to meet other volunteers also from ABV and hear about their experiences. What I loved most was learning from the doctors and nurses who enjoyed teaching us despite how busy they were and who had the patience to explain to us the whys and the hows. In the U.S., it's harder to find doctors who are willing to take that time of their days. Overall, this was an amazing 2 weeks and I'm excited to share it with my family and friends back home. I definitely recommend this to anyone in the health care field who would like to get a taste of what health care is like in a different country. You will learn a lot and get a decent amount of hands-on experience!
Before this medical trip, I always knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field. However, it was not until I am here that I got to know more about myself: weaknesses and strengths. I can say that A Broader View has helped me find my purpose in life which is help others through medicine.
Spending two weeks in Honduras was a different experience. It allowed me to appreciate everything that we take for granted in the USA. The people of Honduras were also very friendly. The staff at the hospitals were welcoming and grateful for the help we provided.
Spending two weeks in Honduras was a fun and exciting experience where I learned to appreciate all the resources we have available to us in the United States. The people were very friendly and the staff at the various locations we volunteered were thankful for the help that we provided. I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience Honduras culture, living and working conditions first hand.
I have had a great time during my stay here. The whole program was very organized, and yet we were given the freedom to explore. Learning from the doctors was helped by the fact that some of them understood and spoke English.
A Broader View Volunteers work tirelessly year round to support our volunteers, and also to serve the local communities where ABV projects are based. As a tax-exempt 501 c(3) organization A Broader View receive 100% of our funding from volunteer contributions. Through your program fee contribution our non-profit charity organization can operate beneficial humanitarian aid programs which are successful and continuous supported year round.
Local, professional full-time coordinators, placement logistics, airport pick up and departure transportation, arrival orientation, food & local accommodations, are a major part of providing a safe, meaningful volunteer experience. When you join A Broader View, you will receive pre-trip visa and vaccination support, assistance with flights, fundraising planning, through our interactive online volunteer portal. Our local partners not only benefit from volunteers valuable contributions at the project, they benefit financially with year-round monetary support from A Broader View. In the last decade A Broader View has donated over 3.5 million dollars in international aid.
By joining A Broader View you are not only helping to make a difference during your own trip, your impact will last even after you go home.
