Twenty Seton Hall students traveled to Honduras to provide 750 people with medical care this past summer through the Global Brigades.
According to the Global Brigade Facebook page, this organization works with medical professionals to serve communities with limited healthcare resources.
"We take everything for granted," said Chandani Patel, a junior biology major and co-president of Global Brigades. Students offered free medical care and medication for villagers in Honduras.
According to junior biology major and co-president Richa Bhimani, her interactions made her realize "how lucky we are." She said patients would walk miles to get to the clinic, often just to get basic vitamins and pain medication. "Little incidents like that keep you going," Richa said.
Senior biology major Renu Benny recalled a special moment she shared with an elderly patient.
"She walked nine miles and didn't even have shoes," she said. Renu gave the woman her own jacket. "There really are people in the world who don't have anything," she said.
The clinic was set up several parts, including intake, triage, consultation, dental and pharmacy. Students were allowed participate in medical procedures and distribution of medication.
Chandani said by working with doctors and patients in Honduras, she got a hands-on look into the profession. "I got to see a pap smear and tooth extraction," Chandani said. She also learned skills such as taking blood pressure and vitals.
According to Richa, the organization's goal is to become "a bigger presence on campus." He and Chandani encourage students of every major interested in traveling abroad to look into the Global Brigades organization on campus.
Members hope to expand into the other branches of Global Brigades, including business, law and education.
They meet every week on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and are planning their next trip to Panama for 2014.
Students can contact either richa.bhimani@student.shu.edu or chandani.patel@student.shu.edu to learn more about Global Brigades.
Kaitlin Stellingwerf can be reached at kaitlin.stellingwerf@student.shu.edu.
