Paragraph 1 - What is it about this subject or topic that interests you? In this paragraph, describe the general area of interest for your project and why you are interested in this area. Next, describe the process you went through in narrowing the subject area to a specific topic. The general area of interest for my project is Global Health, and I will be promoting health in the Dominican Republic through FIRMC. I am interested in this area because helping others, traveling, and health are all things that I am passionate about. The process that I went through in narrowing the subject area to a specific topic was not easy. It took me about two months to decide on which organization was best, because I knew that I wanted to go on a mission trip but I was not familiar with the organizations. After researching this organization and one other organization after searching the internet for “health mission trip,” I decided that FIRMC is the perfect fit. It is very flexible because instead of having predetermined dates for the trips, you can choose what dates work best for you. Therefore, I was able to choose dates that worked with Capstone which no other organizations could offer me. I also like this organization because it has great reviews and is involved in many chapter programs at colleges so they are familiar with students regularly attending the trips.
Paragraph 2 - How does your project relate to your selected topic? My project relates to my selected topic because I am going on a mission trip to learn more about the health field. I will refer to my project as the “DR Mission Trip,” which is short for Dominican Republic Mission Trip. The main strand that I have selected to apply to this project is the Service-oriented strand, because I will be providing healthcare service to the patients of clinics in the Dominican Republic. However, it is still career exploration for me in a way, because I am interested in the health field and will be going to college to major in Health and Nutrition studies. I hope to accomplish a larger sense of understanding regarding healthcare, as well as being apart of helping those in need, and making as much of a difference as I can in the world. I have already set up an account with the company, FIRMC that I will be traveling with, and after I asked many questions, they have made me fully aware of every aspect that the trip will entail. Prior to the mission trip, I will be researching the area and history of the specific area that I will be going to: their project site La Restauracion, which is only 12 km away from the Haitian border. I will also be studying Spanish in order to get the most out of this experience as I can. My plan is to arrive in the DR on May 16th, and return home on May 26th. Once I get there, I will be accompanied by my peer, Haley Krall as well as the other volunteers. However, the most impactful influences that will be involved in my trip will be the permanent workers and managers in the clinics that will be in charge of assigning volunteer roles. When we arrive on site, depending on what is needed from the volunteers at that point in time, we will have various possible tasks: Clinical activities (Work with 5 rural health clinics, support rural medical brigades, provide medical supplies, conduct community based medical visits), health education (Health Promoter trainings, prenatal programming and house visits, First aid training in rural communities, Diabetes support groups), and special initiatives (Hands-on latrine construction, Multimedia project,Youth empowerment film camps, Superman teen groups).We will be staying with host families where we will be entirely immersed in their culture. Overall, the price is about $1,500. I am currently fundraising through a page assigned to my trip by the organization. The Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children is a global health program that is dedicated to improving the health of families in the developing wold. You can learn more about the organization at https://www.fimrc.org/about-us.
Paragraph 3 - How will this project help you grow in terms of skills and/or knowledge of the topic? Since I am only a senior, I have not had previous field experience with the health/medical field besides doing Job-For-A-Day at Reston Hospital. There, I got the opportunity to shadow an occupational therapist for the day. However, I am interested in getting as much experience as I can in this field and health is something that I am always reading about or looking further into myself. Since I am interested in studying Health and Nutrition sciences in college, I am more unfamiliar with medical healthcare. However, there are experienced workers who are doctors and nurses that do have medical experience, so I will be able to learn from them on the trip. I expect to acquire some basic medical skills and learn more information about nutrition and how it can help them as well, through seminars that they must attend. I will also have the opportunity to spend time with the locals in the Dominican Republic and learn more about what it is like for them to live in a developing country, and how I can do my part to help. I will also get a better sense of teamwork as I work side by side with other volunteers and medical professionals. This project will be challenging, however, because I must not let my feelings of sympathy for the locals get in the way of helping them professionally. I must prepare myself for the disheartening sights that I may have to witness while I am volunteering. It may also bring difficulty that Spanish is the primary language in this country, so communication could be a personal barrier, but I have been told by the Volunteer Coordinator that it would help for me to brush up on my Spanish beforehand and learn some simple terms. It also may be a challenge because I could feel helpless at times for not being able to help certain patients because I do not have enough medical experience to do so, but they will have professionals that can help them. It will be beneficial to me because I will be able to make a difference and help people in need. Also, I will most likely meet many inspiring people and learn more about the healthcare field.
Paragraph 4 - How does this project relate to your future? This project relates to my post-high school plan because I plan to major in Health and Nutrition Sciences. This trip will be my initial exposure to this field. Hopefully one day I will be doing what the doctors on this mission trip are doing. I also plan to study abroad in college, and in the future I hope to continue these mission trips as I gain more experience in the field. This project will most likely be a life-changing experience for me as I am exposed to what it is like to help people that are in need in developing countries, and because I get the chance to put my passion to use for the first time. I hope that this trip inspires others to make a non-profit donation or even go on a mission trip of their own at some point. We can make a difference.