As you may know, I can be very passionate about what I'm doing. I enjoy helping others, but sometimes it is hard to see how our actions can be impactful. That is why I am so excited to have the opportunity to make such a huge impact on this service trip.

If you are able, please consider donating to my page or another person's trip, to help send us to places of need, where we can serve others.

What I will be doing:

Our multidisciplinary team will provide healthcare education and assessment to the local community- interacting with community members and local schools to promote health wholeness.
-Health education workshops
-Community-based health fairs in conjunction with local healthcare providers
-Primary and secondary school health education
-Family seminars
-Vacation Bible school activities
*As part of a small group of social work students, we will be adding a behavioral health component to the health education workshops

How I got involved:

Students for International Mission Service or SIMS exemplifies the Loma Linda's commitment to global service, incorporating international service opportunities into academic curriculum in order to prepare health professions students for a career of effective global service and to promote the health of global communities. SIMS’ mission to provide students with high-quality service-learning opportunities empowers them to become caring, competent, and socially responsible health professionals who value service as a lifelong process.

SIMS organizes short-term service trips around the globe for groups of 15-20 students and health professionals during winter, spring and summer school breaks. SIMS teams are interdisciplinary and composed primarily of students from various schools, including the School of Behavioral Health.

Why I am going:

I currently work full-time as a social worker in child welfare and I will be graduating with my Master's of Social Work from Loma Linda University in June of 2018. I have worked in child welfare for 4-5 years and in non-profit community work for almost 5 years prior to that. As a high school student, I participated in mission trips to Mexico during my summers off with Amor Ministries, building small houses.

As a social worker, I often work with individuals in my local community. I have also had the opportunity to aid in some large community events and programs. This service trip is an opportunity to help people that do not have access to the same services or choices we do here. What we do in Cuba will have maximum impact and you can be a part of that!

I firmly believe we are called to help others. I also believe no matter the distance, language, culture, or circumstances, as humans on this earth, we have more in common with each other than differences. Think of the amazing things we can do together!