Well, not quite. Actually I am home...right now. Over the years I have come to call many places my home - Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Francisco, Austin, etc. One of those many places is Odessa, Ukraine.
I am excited to announce that this summer I am returning home to Odessa to volunteer at the wonderful Ukrainian nonprofit known as The Way Home. For those of you who read My Trans-Siberian Journey, I appreciate your loyalty in continuing to follow me, regardless of where I go and what I am doing! You might remember stories about my time in Odessa in 2010. Volunteering at The Way Home helped me realize how rewarding international volunteer work is. I admit that I am no Mother Teresa, but I have always known I want to help people in some way, shape or form. Yesterday, I took one step closer to making my dream of being a professional international volunteer a reality.
The Plan:
This summer, I am going back to The Way Home in Odessa, Ukraine to volunteer. This time, when I show up and they ask me, "What do you want to do?" I won't stare back at them dumbfounded by the question. I know what I want to do - I want to start a medical outreach program that serves the vulnerable populations found in Odessa. I will be in Odessa for 4 weeks volunteering at a clinic that currently works with The Way Home. While I am there, I will get a better idea how I can organize a volunteer based program that helps The Way Home treat the street kids, drug users and homeless who reside in Odessa.
The Preparations:
In preparation for this trip, I am brushing up on my Russian language skills. I have also picked up a Pocket Medical Russian book to help me learn vital phrases.
I am looking into potential medical distributers that will donate supplies that I can take with me or have shipped. I am learning more medical skills from my role model, my MD dad. I will also be seeking help from people who have set up similar aid programs or have volunteered for an international medical program. I need to look into the rules and regulations regarding shipping medical supplies, and regarding practicing medicine without a Ukrainian license in the event that my dad wants to come help me get this project started.
The Future:
If this summer goes the way I hope it will, I will start the paperwork to make this program a 501c3 nonprofit organization. I will start writing grant proposals and look for a team that is passionate about my vision. I will fundraise and start planning for the following summer - look for more suplies, volunteers and funding. Hopefully I can use my future Physician Assistant (PA) program to help me recruit enthusiastic PA students to go abroad and deliver medical care. Lastly, I will come up with a good name for this organization!
Links to previous blog - My Trans-Siberian Journey:
My Kids
Through your Eyes
Social Patrol
I am excited to announce that this summer I am returning home to Odessa to volunteer at the wonderful Ukrainian nonprofit known as The Way Home. For those of you who read My Trans-Siberian Journey, I appreciate your loyalty in continuing to follow me, regardless of where I go and what I am doing! You might remember stories about my time in Odessa in 2010. Volunteering at The Way Home helped me realize how rewarding international volunteer work is. I admit that I am no Mother Teresa, but I have always known I want to help people in some way, shape or form. Yesterday, I took one step closer to making my dream of being a professional international volunteer a reality.
The Plan:
This summer, I am going back to The Way Home in Odessa, Ukraine to volunteer. This time, when I show up and they ask me, "What do you want to do?" I won't stare back at them dumbfounded by the question. I know what I want to do - I want to start a medical outreach program that serves the vulnerable populations found in Odessa. I will be in Odessa for 4 weeks volunteering at a clinic that currently works with The Way Home. While I am there, I will get a better idea how I can organize a volunteer based program that helps The Way Home treat the street kids, drug users and homeless who reside in Odessa.
The Preparations:
In preparation for this trip, I am brushing up on my Russian language skills. I have also picked up a Pocket Medical Russian book to help me learn vital phrases. I am looking into potential medical distributers that will donate supplies that I can take with me or have shipped. I am learning more medical skills from my role model, my MD dad. I will also be seeking help from people who have set up similar aid programs or have volunteered for an international medical program. I need to look into the rules and regulations regarding shipping medical supplies, and regarding practicing medicine without a Ukrainian license in the event that my dad wants to come help me get this project started.
The Future:
If this summer goes the way I hope it will, I will start the paperwork to make this program a 501c3 nonprofit organization. I will start writing grant proposals and look for a team that is passionate about my vision. I will fundraise and start planning for the following summer - look for more suplies, volunteers and funding. Hopefully I can use my future Physician Assistant (PA) program to help me recruit enthusiastic PA students to go abroad and deliver medical care. Lastly, I will come up with a good name for this organization!
Links to previous blog - My Trans-Siberian Journey:
My Kids
Through your Eyes
Social Patrol
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