Hi there!For those of you who may not know me, my name is SunMin, and I am a medical student at University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
This summer I am traveling to Haiti, from June 14th to August 9th, to volunteer with an organization called Maison de Naissance (MN). MN is a birthing home in rural Torbeck, near Les Cayes, which is in southwest part of Haiti (Google Map). I learned Creole while spending 4 months in Haiti last year, so I am very excited about the opportunity to go back to Haiti this summer.
My main project will involve hypertension and pregnancy. Hypertension is a major problem in Haiti and a major factor in maternal mortality. I will conduct home follow-up visits on patients, assess hypertension in their families, and gather data pertaining to past maternal mortality in family groups. My project will also involve teaching the community health workers to integrate blood pressure screening in their work and developing incentives for treatment, particularly for women who need to be assessed early and frequently during pregnancy.
I am confident that my time in Haiti this summer will be an invaluable learning experience since my career goal as a physician is to serve rural communities in impoverished countries. My previous travels to Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Haiti have stirred in my heart a passion for the medically underserved in poverty-stricken parts of the world. My experience in Haiti this summer will allow me to further improve skills that are necessary to serve effectively as a doctor.
To finance this 8-week project, I must raise $4270, which covers the costs of airfare to, from, and within Haiti, room and board, translators, transportation, gas, and travel medical insurance. Any extra I raise will go towards acquiring medicine and supplies to take to MN. Will you consider partnering with me by supporting me financially or by prayer? Any amount of contribution will be greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to subscribe to this blog as I will be posting updates during my trip.
Sincerely,
SunMin Kim
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