My time in Ayacucho is unparalleled by anything else I’ve ever done. I truly love returning year after year and being able to discern both the subtle and large changes we’ve made to improve the mission. I feel as though I have done a large part of my “growing up” in Ayacucho. Every time I come back, the doctors, volunteers, patients, and people of Ayacucho, inspire me more and more to realize my goal of becoming a doctor.
Even volunteers who had no previous medical experience contributed greatly to this trip. Though we did not perform actual procedures, we aiding the doctors in treating their patients, kept things running smoothly, and helped out by translating. A milestone for me was that I was able to overcome a large insecurity—I didn’t think I was ready to be a translator, however, I found that my Spanish improved very quickly over five days and I was able to perfectly convey to the doctors what they needed to know.
My favorite memory was when I visited a local orphanage with some of the other volunteers and helped fluoridate the children’s’ teeth. They were all incredibly cute and loving, and I walked away with the warmest feeling in my heart knowing that I had helped them in even a small way.
Throughout the years, Ayacucho has taught me more than any textbook ever could, and for that I am extremely grateful. I hope to come back as often as I can.
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