Child Family Health International
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My name is Carl Leonhardt and I am a pre-med student at Washington State, currently interviewing for Medical School. I attended the Rural / Urban Himalayan Rotation in India the summer after my senior year of undergrad. My medical rotation in India with Child Family Health International was a life changing experience . The first week of this program was spent in a rural village called Patti, nestled in foothills of the Himalayas. My group lived and worked in a small clinic which serves as the only form of health care for almost 10,000 rural farmers and mountain people in the surrounding hills, mountains, and villages. Everyday during that week, we saw many patients ranging from a newborn boy with a severe mango acid burn, a 16 year old girl suffering from Typhoid, to an 86 year-old woman with a cancerous tumor on her neck. These patients, along with the many more that we saw and treated free of charge, would have no way of receiving medical help if it was not for the clinic and a physician named Dr. Paul. Another week of rotation was spent in a capital city in Northern India called Dehradun. During that week I shadowed a cardiologist working at the Doon Government Hospital, which provides nearly free services. We conducted rounds with the cardiologist, Dr. Yoshi, in the morning and saw around 50 patients in the afternoon. Despite the fact that 15 to 20 people were constantly waiting to take a seat and see the doctor, he would always make sure each patient understood was he or she had prescribed and why. Most of these patients were either homeless, living in huts on small farms, or sleeping in tinny road-side shack that double as a store during the day.
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The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The poverty, disease, and illness was something that I could never have imagined, and helping some of those people was an experience that changed my life forever and furthered my desire to help underserved communities.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Provide more information about the trip before arrival in India. I am adventurous and had no probably flying to a foreign country with virtually no itinerary, but other students on the trip did not feel the same... ; )
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
The doctors you shadow in this program are dedicated, knowledgeable, empathetic individuals who love teaching medicine. I am glad I chose the Urban/Rural health program because you have the opportunity to explore and learn about two very different regions of Ecuador in terms of demographics, food, and culture. Chone (where the rural component took place) is unlike any other city you will ever visit, and the host family there is absolutely welcomes you with open arms. This program is excellent for those wondering how medicine differs in developing countries and for those interested in indigenous medicine.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my everyday life, in an even stronger desire to go into healthcare and practice in underserved communities. My ability to speak medical Spanish improved significantly.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
CFHI’s motto is “let the world change you.” And it did. I was in South Africa for four weeks, doing a rotation on HIV/AIDS. It’s hard to describe just how much of an impact this experience had on me. I had the chance to learn about healthcare policy and participate in the care of patients in a very different part of the world. I saw endless cases of AIDS, TB, and Marasmus; preventative medicine was virtually nonexistent. I lived with a South African family, where I got a glimpse into their daily life. I met individuals who would become my role models. I learned about real medicine and what it means to be a doctor; it involves so much more than the physical manifestations of diseases. It involves an understanding of our patients’ communities, their traditions and cultures, the battles they encounter every day. It means doing everything we can for them: treating them, fighting for them, and believing in them. I know that I will be a better doctor because of CFHI and my month in SA.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Durban, South Africa. The specific program was called "HIV/AIDS and Healthcare in Durban, South Africa." See CFHI's website for more details.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I thoroughly enjoyed the both the Public Health program and the Communicable Diseases program and it was especially interesting to make comparisons between Delhi and Mumbai. In terms of daily routine, we would generally be out from about 9 – 4, but this varied from day to day – sometimes we would leave earlier and get back earlier. Each morning we would meet Sanjay, our local coordinator, and then get transport to the site, usually a rickshaw. Sometimes we would stay at one site for the whole day and have lunch there. Other days we would go to a different site in the afternoon and either have lunch out somewhere or come back to the apartment for lunch. After finishing the program each day we would either go back and relax at the apartment or do some sightseeing. In the evenings we would have dinner at the apartment and might go to the internet cafe, to a historical sight, to a market etc. We went to an extremely wide variety of sites, which was excellent. We spent time with a lot of different organisations working on many different issues and had placements at a variety of hospitals and clinics. Also on the program in Delhi we went on quite a few outreach visits with the organisations. These trips were very enjoyable as we were able to experience life in some villages and towns surrounding Delhi. In addition to the program, there was plenty of time for sightseeing in the evenings and weekend. The structure of the programs gave an excellent balance between spending time at sites and having time to do touristy things and visit other areas of India. Overall, I had a fantastic time and learnt a great deal about Indian life and culture, especially in relation to healthcare.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Gaining such a deep and varied insight into healthcare in Indian
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The staff were all extremely friendly and welcoming
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I spent a month in Capetown South Africa with the CFHI program. It was a great experience and I learned alot about the health care system in their country. It was really eye opening to see how the people there made the best of their limited resources ....in Capetown I learned the true meaning of triage. The best part of the experience was staying with the host family which also made me feel comfortable in my new culture. The people there are very caring and very hospitalable. It was sincerely the best month of my medical school experience. Capetown is amazing and during the month there I had the opportunity to visit some fabulous places.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My whole mindset has changed and I know really appreciate our healthcare system but also help to be an agent of change to make our system more effective.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have been a participant of CFHI and am now one of their program guide´s in Oaxaca, Mexico. I am very impressed with all aspects of the organization as they are significantly improving the care of underserved communities in various manners, economically and healthcare to name a few. In addition to serving these communities, students are getting a great deal of clinical experience, learning the host language, broading their horizons by being in a foreign environment, and learning about different healthcare systems. All in all, CFHI provides a very enriching experience for its students and focusses on improving the quality of health care for communities that need it.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
amongst the local community and the students involved. The host families are always thrilled to have students as we continue to improve their economic status and lifestyle. at a particular clinical sight, CRIT, the patients love having new faces around and help comfort the children during therapy. The students come out of this program with a different view of health and serving communities and have many stories to share.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
become part of a completely different community and enjoying it to the extent of feeling at home here. I have become close to the coordinators, medical professionals and several locals and feel as though I could come back and have a home here whenever I would like. The community is very friendly and welcoming and if you are proactive with them, you will get a lot in return, as I did.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
enthusiastic, patient, loving and really made us feel comfortable in their country.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand its program sights to more countries, as there are hundreds of those in need and would love to have an organization like CFHI help out
Ways to make it better...
when I was a student of CFHI, I would have liked more public health experience or working in an area of psychology. Now that I am a guide, I know there are options available to participate in such clinics, however I was unaware of them at the time.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
CFHI offers its participants a unique experience. In its intent it seeks to educate med students, pre-meds, PAs, nursing students, etc. on aspects of global health, as well as provide a firsthand opportunity to be immersed in the medical world in a variety of countries. It is extremely informative and allows the participant the chance to see the medical field from the most basic of levels and in the ruralest of areas to the largest of cities and most modern and professional of hospitals. Participants have access to some of the world's best doctors. Moreover, participants have the autonomy and freedom to immerse themselves in the culture and atmosphere of their respective program countries, which allows for the most thorough exposure and enlightenment of another country's customs, culture, people, food, travel, etc. Furthermore, accomodations are top-notch, and the participants' individual comfort, health, and safety are well-looked after. Finally, the people who choose to participate come from a very diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences, which only further enriches the particpant's individual experience in country. If a genuine learing and enlightenment opportunity is what is sought, CFHI is a natural choice.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The satisfaction of participants at the end of their program, as well as the memories and stories that I have also been able to pass on.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
That is a difficult question. Medical supplies are already sent to the various countries, but more can always be done in order to provide as much assistance as possible, so I suppose I would work more towards that pursuit.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The learning opportunity-- not just as a student, but as a human being. This nonprofit offers its participants an overwhelming opportunity to see a side of living far-removed from that which they enjoy at home. Participation with this nonprofit affords one the chance to truly become an empathetic humanitarian.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Ever amiable, helpful, positive, and optimistic.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Invest, expand, create an endowment, and send more and more much needed medical supplies worldwide.
Ways to make it better...
The programs better catered to students' specific, medical interests within the realm of their program choices. For instance, a greater interest in surgery would coincide with a program experience centered more around surgical aspects.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Each country has its own idiosyncrasies and hierarchy for affecting change and progressing, expanding. The biggest challenge is in working towards that end.
One thing I'd also say is that...
As is true in all walks of life, you get back what you put in. CFHI gives its participants an amazing and unique chance to learn, grow, and change not only themselves, but those around them. If one chooses this nonprofit, he should not expect things to be handed to him and to just happen as described. Instead, he must go out and ensure that they do. The infrastructure is in place, but you have to be the one to get out of your comfort zone and jump in.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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