11 days

Hi! My name is Katy. I'm 21 and a college student entering my senior year. Biology has been my main course of study, but I've especially enjoyed taking classes on philosophy, theology, and English as well. I'm considering a fifth year at my university, just to continue learning and taking classes because I love it so much.

I have past experience working in the medical field, although I haven't ever worked in a hospital. When I was nine, my entire family of six moved to the Dominican Republic for a year to do medical missions with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. We set up temporary clinics and distributed first aid and simple medications like ibuprofen, vitamins, antiparasitics, and antibiotics. Experiencing the developing world as a child was such a formational experience; it has directly affected my choice of schools, career, and classes, and given me a passion for service and social justice.

Since living in the DR, I've been back there once, and to Nicaragua. Both trips were medical mission trips. I also worked at my dad's clinic in rural Nevada for five years, and volunteered at a free clinic at a men's homeless shelter.

Health and the issues that influence it - affluence, water, nutrition, war, gender - are not a mystery. They are not a secret, they are not unknown, they are not even ambiguous. We know exactly what influences health and sickness, and we have cures and treatments for not only illness and disease, but we have cures and treatments for war, poverty, and discrimination. These are problems which we can solve, and while our actions must be thoughtful and meaningful, action must be taken.

We are leaving for Africa in 11 days, if you count today. It seems like our departure really snuck up on me. I thought I would have more time. To prepare, to learn about Niger, to learn French, to find support, to say goodbye to family and friends...I'm planning on coming back of course. But three weeks in Africa is a long time, and everyone wants to say goodbye. I wish everyone wanted to donate supplies to this hospital. But they have words and not supplies, and the words are good.