VIDA Volunteer

Congratulations to the winner of our , Nataly Nasrawi from the University of Texas at Austin✨🎉

If you didn't win, don't worry! You can still sign up for a 2024 Vida Trip and take the advantage of having an early start and prepare for your trip.✅✨ Check our 2024 Trip Calendar and start your journey 🙌 Go to https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm

Big smiles, wagging tails, and full hearts! ❤️💯

Our volunteers returned to clinics, this time to the Costa Rican community of Bagaces.🙌🇨🇷 Tomorrow will be their last clinic day, and their unwavering passion and drive to help others stay high! ✅️

While we advance full speed into the last clinical hours of the trip, let's send our volunteers words of encouragement! Write yours in the comments! 😁💬

Sunshine and Saturday are all I need!🙌✨🍃

Nothing better than a rec day filled with adventure, amazing views and fresh air to take a break and enjoy Costa Rica. Our volunteers had just that today and tomorrow they go into their last community with renewed energy! 💪🔋

What are you doing next summer? Volunteering in Central America is what! ✅Check out our 2024 Trip Calendar 😁🙌 Go to https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm

Moments to remember! 😁✨️

Do you remember the moment you decided to become a health professional? When you said "I want to be a nurse!", for example.

How long ago was it?🤔⌛️ Shoutout to our volunteers in Costa Rica right now! 🙌💯✨️

Let's pass the mic to Angela!🦷💛

"My name is Angela Lindell and I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. I hope to start dental school in the Fall of 2024. When my friends Molly and Will told me about Vida after their trip last year, I knew I wanted to participate this year! Throughout this trip, I have made many friends and experienced once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I was able to learn a lot from Dr. Jessica during clinic days. I am so thankful I took this trip and was able to make an impact on the communities we helped. My favorite part was helping educate our patients, especially the kids, on oral health and the best way to take care of their teeth! The patients, Vida staff, and volunteers are all so amazing and made this trip everything I expected and more!" - 💛🦷

Thank you for the impact you made Angela! Our dental teams are vital to the oral health of the communities we serve, approximately 9 out of 10 patients we see report they don't get to see a dentist until we come back to their communities.🚨😯

A big part of the impact our volunteers create lays in coming back to the communities and continuing the work of those before you, and you could be the next to continue the work Angela and her peers did!🙌💯

Make the decision, last minute or planned, and you'll be happy you did as well!💛💚💙 2024 Trip Calendar Link HERE ✅️https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm

¡BUEN TRABAJO!💯- Spanish for: good job!👍

Welcome, and good job on completing your orientation and first clinic day! Our volunteers assisted our local physician while providing the needed physical exams, diagnosis, and treatment in the community of La Garita in La Cruz, Guanacaste, one of the Costa Rican provinces.💊🩺🩸 Our vet students didn't stay behind taking care of all the furry patients coming in for a spay/neuter procedure.🐶🐱 Let's welcome ur volunteers!✨️

🩺MED TEAM🩺
Oliver Osswald
Diana Nguyen
Amy Wong
Damaris Loor
Daniel Bekele

🐾VET TEAM🐾
Lily Koster
Margaux Mongue
Bella Baxter
Alexis Rabinovitch
Jessica Kim
Amy Salim
Samantha Izquierdo
Catherine Garcia
Kurt Keophila

¡BUEN TRABAJO!💯- Spanish for: good job!👍

Welcome, and good job on completing your orientation and first clinic day! Our volunteers assisted our local physician while providing the needed physical exams, diagnosis, and treatment in the community of La Garita in La Cruz, Guanacaste, one of the Costa Rican provinces.💊🩺🩸 Our vet students didn't stay behind taking care of all the furry patients coming in for a spay/neuter procedure.🐶🐱 Let's welcome ur volunteers!✨️

🩺MED TEAM🩺
Oliver Osswald
Diana Nguyen
Amy Wong
Damaris Loor
Daniel Bekele

🐾VET TEAM🐾
Lily Koster
Margaux Mongue
Bella Baxter
Alexis Rabinovitch
Jessica Kim
Amy Salim
Samantha Izquierdo
Catherine Garcia
Kurt Keophila

🦷DENTAL TEAM🦷
Gilberto Gamez
Roxana Iviricu

A great start for a great trip! Don't let the heat slow you down☀️🌡💪
Learn, help, and enjoy!💛💙💚



A great start for a great trip! Don't let the heat slow you down☀️🌡💪
Learn, help, and enjoy!💛💙💚

🙌SMILES ALL OVER😁

Our Teams provide individualized, patient-oriented care side by side with local dental physicians. ⁣This past trip was a perfect example!
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Students developed basic dental techniques, identified anatomic structures, and understood the importance of implementing dental education to promote healthy communities.⁣
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They also had the opportunity to evaluate patients, perform cleanings, and observe/assist in extractions under the authority of one of our local lead dentists.
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Not only did our volunteers get to observe diverse cases; from diseases that specifically manifest in Central American communities, to general conditions that occur worldwide; but they also had a chance to do so while in a culturally immersive experience.
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A big part of the impact is to continue the work of others, especially since we work with communities that wouldn't have access to healthcare otherwise. So we follow up with our communities every 4-6 months, meaning that although your trip may only last a week or two, your service will have an ongoing effect on the community’s development, and help create sustainability. ⁣
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Our 2024 trips are already listed in our Trip Calendar 👉 https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm 👈 Check them out. It's never too early to start!

⁣volunteer

💚WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK!!! 💚 -

Our UNC - Chapel Hill Guatemala Trip just concluded in the span of just 4 clinic days these courageous volunteers assisted a total of 395 PATIENTS! 💯🙌

271 medical patients, 111 dental patients, and 13 spay/neuter procedures!!! 🐾🦷🩺
Take those numbers with you, because they're not just a tangible way of measuring the impact you made, but also a reminder of all the patients whose day-to-day can be better because of YOU! ❤️😁

Now let's congratulate our volunteers!!!!

🩺MEDICAL TEAM🩺

Alexandra Bissette
Gabriella Moore
Courtney LaSerre
Mackenzie Lee
Akoya Penny-Campbell
Aneri Shah
Prima Gurjar
Joana Vargas-Salinas
Hannah Parks
Erin Duty
Vanika Mehta
Chahaana Kathiravan
Chloe Breedlove
Tamara Campbell
Ryan Byrne
Jessica Cook
Grace Schmonsees
Jonathan Fasciana
Annie Lapiana
Sandra Striletchi
Kathryn Huskey
Ziairia Plummer
Alexis Steele-Kubuanu
Lauren Copperthwaite
Kira Roth
Zain Hamid
Sharese Arzu

🦷DENTAL TEAM🦷

Rylee-Grace Burgis
Charisma Sumpter
Halle Earnhardt
Kelby Rowell
Christian Rendon
Ashley Silverberg
Jocelyn Mendoza
Kansas Haddock

🐾VET TEAM🐾

Sophia Szymanski
Sally Szymanski
Jennifer Grimes
Bethany Harmount
Pamela Alvarado-Zarate

Y'all rock! Thank you the impact you created!

Our staff truly is outstanding! 🙌💛💚💙

From our interpreters, nurses, doctors, dentists, vets, drivers, admin staff, community leaders, assistant team leaders to our team leaders, everyone has a very important role in each Vida Trip. We are a huge team working together for the betterment of the access to healthcare that the Central American communities we work with have and every single one of you makes what we do possible! 🩺🦷🐾💻✅

And it all works out thanks to careful planning, months of preparation, and the watchful eye of our TLs in the field 🧐✨. Leadership is an important skill but so is being able to work together as a team, helping each other with whatever task we might come across, and at Vida our staff leads by example! You might have seen Herson and Amy on your trips before, big shoutout to them!💯💙

Mission Accomplished! 3 3 7 !!!🏆🩺🦷

Our incredible medical and dental volunteers have completed 5 clinic days in Costa Rica, leaving a trail of smiles and healing hearts in their wake. With unwavering dedication and compassion, they've made a lasting impact on the lives of 225 medical patients and 112 dental patients, and in the community as a whole. A big thanks to our staff members, local health professionals, community leaders and organizers, interpreters, and our TL Lorena, and ATL Mileney.

Thank you for all the hard work and we hope all those clinical hours under your belt, all those connections and great memories, and the amazing experience you helped you solidify your career choices as you continue in your own paths!

Well done y'all! Thank you for making a difference, one clinic day at a time! 🌟❤️🌍

Adoption is the answer!🐾🐶

In this modern times we are always surrounded by stressful situation, pressure and technological isolation, but there's an easy fix. Get a PET!🙌

Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. Pets may also decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills. An estimated 68% of U.S. households have a pet.✨️😁

In Guatemala, the overpopulation of street dogs has been a known issue for generations, that's one of the main reasons we provide free spay/neuter clinics in the area, but another big solution will always be adoption and today, this is your sign to do so!🌟

Adopt a new best friend!🐾🐶

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Let's celebrate the Costa Rican Way! 🇨🇷❤️🎶

Today, our volunteers participated in a cultural display for their last clinic day in this community, organized by them as a way to showcase their culture, thank our volunteers, and celebrate the recent holiday.

Guanacaste Day is celebrated on July 25 every year in Costa Rica. The holiday commemorates the day that Guanacaste became a province of Costa Rica on July 25, 1824. This holiday is often accompanied by traditional Costa Rican dance and folklore, a huge party to celebrate coming together, and we got to be part of just that!🙌💛💙💚

Thank you all!

Smiles and Sparkles! 😁✨

Vida Volunteer's dental program is all about spreading joy and dental care in equal measure! Our amazing volunteers are brushing away worries, one tooth at a time, while creating unforgettable memories.

Join us and let's make the world a happier place, one bright smile at a time! 🦷❤️

Home Away from Home! 🏠✨

Our medical and dental volunteers just met their homestay families for this Vida trip. We incorporate homestays into every itinerary we can not only to support local families but also because they promise a whole-hearted and culturally immersive experience. ⁣Unlike the hotel, you have more than just a room; it's a unique experience filled with cozy nights, tasty homemade meals, laughter that echoes through the walls, and a chance to learn about local family values while cultivating meaningful relationships with our host families.

Vida isn't just about healthcare; it's about building bonds that'll last a lifetime. Let's embrace the love and make this experience unforgettable! 🏠❤️🌍

Don't take it from us! ✨💙

"Hey! My name is Molly and I am going to be a senior at the University of Saint Thomas, where I am a Vida Ambassador. I decided to be an ambassador because I value the work we do as volunteers and the skills we learn for clinic days. Being an ambassador has helped me connect with individuals similar to me at my school and grow as a leader!"💪🩺 - Molly Kimball

Our ambassadors are the true heroes behind our mission as they help us raise awareness, and organize teams to serve communities in Central America.⁣🌎🙌⁣

There are many benefits to being a Vida Ambassador 👉 If you are interested in becoming one at your campus, this is the perfect time. Go to https://www.vidavolunteer.org/become-a-campus-ambassador/ ⁣
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Exciting news coming soon with our new partnership with APMSA! ✨🙌
Make sure to check our social media for updates! 📨

And that's a wrap! ✅✨

This week had a lot in store for our volunteers, many challenges, emotions, and connections which will all be part of their journey and experiences to carry with them, truly can not be measured.... what we can measure is their impact on the number of patients they helped, so here it is!💯💙💛

In just 4 clinic days y'all helped a total of 174 PATIENTS!!! 1-7-4 ! That's right! Broken down it would be 111 🩺medical patients and 63 🦷dental patients. Just amazing!🙌

A big thanks to you all! To our ambassadors Molly Kimball and William Burke, and their peers on the medical team: Jennifer Stuempfig, Summer Francis, Isabel Lippai, Julien Yung, Madeleine Bream, and Molly Hedden. And of course to our 2 courageous dental students Emma Hiebert and Angela Lindell. And a big shoutout to our fantastic staff members and our TL, JJ! 💙

This is all you! You guys rock! 💯🙌

Love, fun, kindness, friends, purpose... just a few of the things that a journey offers. Are you ready to make a difference?⁣ 🌎✨✅

You can download our 2024 Trip Calendar with thelink in our bio!

Still, have many questions? Schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with one of our team members and answer all your questions about your next adventure!

Schedule your meeting THIS WEEK! Go to https://calendly.com/info-vida

Join us in wishing our Campus Ambassador, Will, a happy birthday! 🎂🎉

Here's what William had to say all the way from our Guatemala ! 🙌💯

"Hi my name is Will Burke, I am a rising senior at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. I am a Biology Major, a Philosophy minor, and am on Pre Med track. I chose to be an ambassador for Vida because of my friend Molly Kimball who has traveled with me to Costa Rica, as well as Guatemala. We both decided after a great experience in Costa Rica to try and lead a trip to a new country. We were blessed to be a part of our trip to Costa Rica that will always leave an impact on us, but we were so excited to get to be a part of a new adventure in Guatemala. Vida is an amazing organization and seeks to change the world one patient at a time. I have met some of the funniest, kindest, and most wonderful people in the communities, on staff, and as co-volunteers. These experiences will last the rest of my life and I cannot put into words the gratitude that I have for all who made these trips possible." - God Bless, Will Burke.

It's not every day you get to celebrate your birthday while making an impact abroad, and the memories he makes today will last him a lifetime to be sure! Thank you for being a part of the impact we make! ✨🩺

Today, climbing to the top of the playground, tomorrow to the top of their fields!💪🩺

One of the many perks of volunteering at a is getting to shadow local doctors and gain hands-on experience that'll help you solidify your career choice. And you get to do so surrounded by like-minded individuals from all over!🙌💛💚💙

We are proud to see you all succeed and become the health professionals of the future! Onwards and Upwards 🎯✨️

Cuteness overload! 💖

This cutie had a great time being carried around and having an awesome play date with our volunteers during today's clinics.

These are the core moments we love to see ❤️🩺

Busy day at our clinics in Guatemala!🇬🇹✨️🩺

Welcome and enjoy your time learning through this hands-on service experience, let's make an impact!❤️

Preserve friendships that push you to be your best 🤗⁣
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A volunteering trip is the perfect opportunity to not only nerwork and share this experience with like-minded individuals but also to strengthen that special friendship bond with so many anecdotes and memories❣️⁣

Who would you with? TAG THEM!

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Have you heard about our Dental Program? 😁🦷✨💧

Students joining Vida’s Dental Program will not only allow underserved communities to gain access to quality dental care, but they will also participate in a high-quality, ethical learning experience. Although your trip may only last a week or two, your service will have an ongoing effect on the community’s development, health literacy, and create sustainability.
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This volunteer abroad program is open to all students who are interested in the field of dentistry and are looking to gain relevant clinical skills to become well-rounded, culturally competent professionals.
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✨If you are a student and would like to learn more about this life changing opportunity, check out our website now! ✨ Go to https://www.vidavolunteer.org/dental-program/
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Our Volunteers Say it best!🙌💛

Adam Braunschweig is a rising junior at Emory University majoring in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology (NBB) and Chemistry on the pre-med track. He was a medical volunteer for one of Vida's spring trips to Guatemala and highly recommends this program. Outside of clinical work, Adam is a member of Emory's swim team, regularly volunteers in the Atlanta community, and is a member of FCA and the Emory IRC.🩺🩹🌡

Here's what Adam had to say about his trip:
"Thank you for the experience of a lifetime! Over the course of my trip, I provided medical care to communities around Guatemala and have never felt such immediate reward and gratification. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to grow, learn, and deepen my love for medicine alongside new lifelong friends" - 💯

Thank YOU Adam! We hope to see you again in the future! 🙌🧡

If you'd like to be part of something bigger and make an impact, this is the moment!🙌🙌🙌 Check out our 2024 Trip Calendar and find the perfect trip to on. Go to https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm

Happy 4th of July!🎉 Did you know that around 75% of our volunteers come from the US? Today we are proud to join in the Independence Day celebration!🙌

!!!✨️🙌

Our volunteers from the California State University - East Bay share a recap of their trip and the impact they made!

"A little recap of our Guatemala 2023 volunteer trip!! In total our East Bay+ Arizona State medical team helped 133 patients! Beyond thankful to have worked with such amazing people and the most grateful patients. In these photos you can see we experienced work and recreational balance with Vida. We visited a local chocolate factory and basket weaving class during our recreation day which showed us some of the touristy portions of Guatemala across lake Antigua. Keep an eye out for more pictures of our trip displaying the amazing experiences our team participated in!🩺🧶🍫" -

What a ride! Hope y’all enjoyed your experience, and it stays with you because it's thanks to you that those 133 patients could get the medical attention local healthcare couldn't provide.❤️

“When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle, and yet most of the audience still sleeps.” –John Lennon✨️

All the good work done by our volunteers never goes unnoticed!And we hope y'all had a productive week back home. 🏡 🙌

Time to rest and enjoy nature. Thank your body and mind for all the hard work this week and disconnect!👍💛

Our volunteers say it best... 🙌💯🐾

‌"My name is Michael, I am from Puerto Rico and I’m a veterinary medicine student at the University of Illinois. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be in Costa Rica with my friends to contribute my knowledge and my way of working in the field of veterinary medicine. It is a blessing to be part of a team of professionals who helped me strengthen my skills, and give us the opportunity to practice suture techniques, work on surgeries, intubation, and many more things. I carry in my heart the experience of living with Homestays families and with communities that need, and being a great impact on their lives; it is something that I urge everyone to give themselves the opportunity to do so." - Michael Rodriguez 💚

If you’d also like to have the opportunities Michael had on his trip, you can start by taking the first step and registering for a Vida Trip… Check out our 2024 Trip Calendar and start your journey! 🥰😁💚🐾 Go to https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm

The cutest patients!👶✨️❤️

Even our Lead Vet, Dr.Jely, couldn't let this bundle of joy leave our clinics without a proper silly-face session!😋✨️💚

So cute! 💕

💚RESULTS ARE HERE!!! 💚

Our volunteers assisted over the course of 5 clinic days a total of 353 PATIENTS! 💯🙌

223 medical patients, 110 dental patients, and 20 spay/neuter procedures!!! 🐾🦷🩺

Take those numbers with you, because they're not just a tangible way of measuring the impact you made, but also a reminder of all the patients whose day-to-day can be better because of YOU! ❤️😁

If you loved your Vida experience, let others know so more students can participate in the impact we made and gain clinical hours with a hands-on learning opportunity like this. ️✒️✨️

DM us your experience or share it HERE! 🙌 https://greatnonprofits.org/org/vida-volunteer

to Costa Rica anyone?☀️

There is nothing better than the clear and refreshing water of the Pacific on a sunny day🏖🌊🏄‍♂️☀️

What was your rec day like? ✌️✨️

Air delivery!📦💪

Since we provide everything that our volunteers use in the clinics, from the different devices and equipment to the paper towels, we never travel light! 🩺🐾🦷

Today, Jonathan, our ATL for the trip helped our staff and volunteers with some of the heavier boxes on top of the bus.🙌💯

Now tell me... what program's boxes are heavier??? Dental, Medical or Vet? Let us know in the comments.🤔💪📦

Everyone gives their all at out clinics!!!🙌💯🌟

Shoutout to Don Gilberto, he's one of the bus driver that is currently helping our volunteers and staff in Costa Rica go everywhere they need during their trip. And while our staff and volunteers work hard to help as many patients as possible, Don Gilberto took it upon himself to make sure everyone had their breaks, there was always coffee available and we all stayed hydrated!☕️💧✨️

And to our volunteers out in the heat...Keep on making an impact y’all! You guys rock!💪💙💛💚

Welcome University of Alberta students!🙌🌟

Today, as you go on your first clinic days, get ready to immerse yourself in this service-learning experience while making an impact on underserved communities of Costa Rica.🇨🇷❤️

These communities are counting on your passion to learn and help others to bring much-needed medical, veterinary, and dental💖

Did you know that many of the individuals you'll be serving have limited to no access to local healthcare? But you can be the difference, one tooth, one physical exam, and one furry friend at a time. So get your scrubs on, smile wide, and get ready to leave a lasting impact. ✨️💪

Remember, laughter is the best medicine, so bring your funniest jokes and warmest smiles. Let's make this journey unforgettable, filled with joy, and a touch of silly. Let's do this! 🦷🩺🐾💙

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Let's pass the mic to Bailey!.. 🌎🩺🐾

"My name is Bailey and I go to Auburn. My trip with Vida was truly one of the greatest experiences. Being able to be apart of such a great group of students and staff allowed us to complete 74 surgeries for communities who do not have access to veterinary medicine. I learned not only how to place IV catheters, ET tubes, sutures and physical exams but also how work efficiently with a team. It feels incredible to give back to these amazing communities and make an impact with our teams hard work:)"

That's what .smith17 had to say about her Vida trip. Do You want to give back to Central American communities as well?Make the decision, last minute or planned, and you'll be happy you did as well!💫👍🦷🩺🐾 2024 Trip Calendar Link HERE - https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm

Ready for an adventure!✨️❗️

We are all about that work/life balance in our Vida Trips! We make sure to leave plenty of time to rest after clinics and add recreational days and fun activities to our trip schedules.☯️

It doesn't make sense to travel to Central America and not experience what it has to offer! So we schedule tours through nature, city tours, visits to popular tourist areas, as well as adrenaline filled activities like canopy, tubing, ziplining, banana boat tours, and much more!⛵️🏖🎯

Are you ready? The answer is YES!🙌💯 Check out our 2024 Trip Calendar now! 📅 💫 Go to https://vidavolunteer.formstack.com/forms/download_2024_trip_list_sm.

Srickers stickers stickers!!!💛

The first thing kids ask as soon as they come back to our Vida clinics!We always have available stickers for the kids that visit our clinics. When we come back to communities, some kids are already familiar with this, and they won't hesitate to get one or ten to put anywhere they see fit!😁💯

(Walls, arms, chairs, their foreheads... it all counts)🤣

Some of the kids even give a few back to the volunteers to use in the name tags, like little badges of kindness.🌟

How many stickers does your badge have? Tell us in the comments!