Danielle Butin is a force to be reckoned with! She is changing the world. If you have the opportunity to help her run don't walk to the Afya warehouse!!
When a friend asked me to entertain her during her temple’s community service day, I had no idea what I was getting myself into; what I thought was a day of good deeds turned into four years of dedicated involvement with an inspiring organization. While I cannot tell you the difference between a laryngoscope and an ophthalmoscope because my knowledge of medicine is limited to a single year of biology, I know they are both important to struggling communities all over the world. My modest understanding of medicine, however, has never prevented me from sorting and packaging a box filled with miscellaneous medical supplies whenever I go to the AFYA warehouse. Helping out at AFYA has primarily taught me that no contribution is too small for an organization that believes in small, yet powerful change. As someone who plans to engage in non-profit work for the rest of my life, my experience at AFYA has provided me with a foundation for contributing on an international level while working locally. Struggling communities and the way they function fascinate me—how they either rebuild or collapse in the aftermath of conflict or disaster. I am passionate about understanding how governments and non-profit organizations, both domestic and foreign, impact individuals’ lives and well-being; I want to help end the suffering and dislocations these communities and governments face, and volunteering at AFYA has given me more perspective and foundation than any class I could have taken in high school. While I am fascinated by discussions in school about the political and humanitarian consequences of disasters, like the earthquake in Haiti or the typhoon in the Philippines, working at AFYA has helped me recognize that there is a difference between understanding and doing when it comes to improving individuals’ lives.
Reading and hearing about the various problems surrounding global health and women in our modernizing world inspired me to want to make a difference. I could no longer sit on my couch and read the news stories without feeling the need to get up and do something about it. Before discovering AFYA, I was struggling to find somewhere to start. Ever since I became interested in international issues, global health, and language learning, I developed the passion required to want to get involved in changing people’s lives overseas. Interning at the AFYA Foundation has taught me that it is important to start somewhere, and the small things that are carried out at local non-profit organizations can go so far. To someone who desperately needs these supplies, AFYA makes a world of a difference. AFYA opened my eyes to the very real problems that are still facing people in rural villages in third-world countries, such as women who are not getting the medical attention they deserve during childbirth. AFYA has also solidified in my mind why global health is still a pressing issue. The problem is far from fixed, but I feel that AFYA is making a significant dent. “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”~Steve Jobs
Ashley Grund- Intern
In a day and age where “voluntourism” has become a mainstream phenomenon, I was convinced that there had to be a way to better the world while also bettering, and remaining within, my own community. When I learned about a possible internship at Afya Foundation, located only 15 minutes away from my own home, it was a perfect fit. Not only am I able to make a difference by shipping much-needed medical supplies across the world, I am also able to reduce waste in my surrounding area, and take no-longer-needed items off the hands of neighbors and local companies. During my days sorting and cataloguing at the Afya warehouse, being able to see the tangible progress of sorted boxes filling up is an extremely rewarding feeling. As someone who already intends to major in international development, this experience at Afya has only further encouraged me to pursue this career: I have learned that enormous change begins on a small scale, that local and global change can be harmonious, and that simply because a task is daunting does not mean it should not be undertaken.
In the summer of 2006, my older brother passed away in front of my own eyes. Soon after, I was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition that explained the true reason behind my brother’s death. First hand, I understand the importance of healthcare access, as my brother’s life could have been saved with more medical knowledge and testing.
As a teenager with genuine interest in health and volunteer work, I was immediately intrigued when I discovered that Afya was a non-profit organization that was centered on global healthcare. I have developed more of a personal connection to Afya beyond community service hours. Considering I was the frightened and confused child who was forced to spend much of my youth in hospitals, I’ve learned how important it is to have people fight for you and your health. Through utilizing medical equipment that would have otherwise been discarded, I truly believe that Afya has the power to create a global movement that can save the lives of many underprivileged adults and children in rural areas around the world. Afya has formed a community, whether it is interns packing and organizing boxes of supplies, doctors providing their assistance abroad, or groups of volunteers willing to do whatever to help, each individual has the same mission-to make a difference in the health of people in developing countries.
Although many would believe that spending endless hours in hospitals and doctors offices would steer any child away from this profession, these experiences have forged my desire to endeavor into the medical field as a pediatric cardiologist. As an intern at this foundation, not only have I had the privilege of meeting different groups of people who all share my passion, but also Afya has introduced to me the endless possibilities that can come of working together to create a healthier and happier world.
Siena, AFYA Intern
I like to help other people. I like this [work] better than working at another place. A lot of people helped me when I had an accident. Just like that, here, people help each other.
What a privilege to have met Daniel Butin, Founder of the Afya Foundation. She is an inspiration to many who work in the non-profit sector. Listening to her and hearing her stories makes me want to replicate the work she does in my country, Sri Lanka.
Sharadha de Saram
Founder Trustee - The Sunshine Charity, Sri Lanka
What an amazing organization! The Afya Foundation has an unmatched dedication to serve their mission and community as needs arise. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know the organization and follow the lives they have touched, both at home and abroad.
Afya has been very instrumental in helping us get medical equipment and supplies to clinics and health centers related to our partners in Kenya. They have helped pack duffel bags and provided assistance with manifests and customs clearance. They are a fantastic resource! We cannot say enough good about them!
Rev. Dr. Donald H. McCord
Presbytery of Newton, New Jersey
I think this is an extraordinary, user-friendly charity that is conceptually brilliant. My wife has organized several successful drives in our community and synagogue. and last year we had a 60th birthday celebration for the two of us at which we invited 34 c lose friends to bring donated supplies and spend 4 hours with us at Afya's warehouse packing those supplies and other donated supplies, to be shipped to Africa as part of birthing kits.
This charity should serve as a role model for others!
They do important and great work! When I needed help they responded quickly and were open to new ideas.
I can truly say that Afya Foundation has changed my life. Through their commitment to health and humanitarian care throughout Africa and the Caribbean to the amazing people I work with in their warehouse in New York, Afya has always served as a source of inspiration and admiration. I have worked with Afya for close to five years and every day I spend with their team inspires me to be a more committed and enthusiastic person. I would encourage everyone to learn more about the organization and to find ways to become involved in their amazing work.
Afya is a foundation that involves itself in the assistance of people in need, whether it be down the block or on the other side of the world. When a medical mission of doctors and nurses from around the country came to the Hunts Point area of the Bronx to work with the area's people, Afya quickly gathered more than 70 pounds of medical supplies to partner with Real Life Church and the mission team. When doctors from another local church sent doctors into Haiti after the earthquake, Afya was there again filling backpacks with supplies.
Danielle and Sarah are amazing people with hearts of gold. I can't say enough about the work they do and the stellar effort they put into their vision and mission.
I have been working with the AFYA foundation for a few years as a part of my role with the Volunteer Center. AFYA has always been an excellent organization to refer volunteers to because of their creativity and willingness to work with the objectives of groups. It's hard not to be caught up in the excitement about their mission and you just need to read about their good work to see how much of an impact they make on local and global issues. There are few other organizations in our area that make such a large impact through local, hands-on service and it is an absolute pleasure working with them.
I like volunteering at AFYA because I know the medical supplies that we help sort and ship goes to people who need it. It makes me feel warm inside and I enjoy it.
Afya Foundation was started in 2007 by Danielle Butin . Since that inception the Foundation has shipped over 3 million dollars of medical supplies to developing countries and those countries affected by natural disaster. Most recently Afya has been resupplying medical clinics in Brooklyn damaged by Hurricane Sandy
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Afya is a young and rapidly expanding non profit that provides a refreshing holistic approach to both local and international communities.The major theme is to recover unused medical supplies from hospitals in the NY metro area which would otherwise be discarded in the landfill. These supplies are then sorted by community volunteers including developmentally disabled groups and senior groups. The supplies are then shipped to developing or disaster compromised countries. As a family physician, I have been involved in the organization for 3 years aTnd can testify that these supplies go to the most needy in the world.The founder Danielle has shown all of us how to make a difference
I'm proud to be a part of the AFYA family, knowing all the good we do around the world and here at home. Our mission is simple: to redistribute healthcare and humanitarian supplies that would otherwise go to waste, to places in need where they can be put to good use. We have an enormous "wealth of waste" in the NY area- collected from hospitals, corporations and even prvate individuals- that we ship each month to communities in Africa. ( Our name means "good health" in Swahili). Through our work, we have also developed a highly efficient system that we have been able to direct toward crisis areas, like Haiti, Japan, and most recently our own backyard, following the devestation of Sandy. When you support AFYA, you are helping reduce landfills in our area, and increase the healthcare of people around the world. Here's to a world of good health!
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What first attracted me to Afya was the simple brilliance of the mission. Finding a way to reduce waste at landfills, while serving unmet medical needs in Africa is a win-win idea...and it sounds so simple. But the fact is, to do it well and to ensure that it is effective takes a tremendous organizational and logistical effort. The second thing that attracted me to Afya was its founder, Danielle Butin; because in Danielle this brilliant idea finds all the energy and passion and commitment that is needed to make it come to life and thrive. Danielle has not only started a movement that is helping save millions of lives abroad; she is also creating a vibrant community here in NY that is enriching the lives of hundreds of volunteers, and at-risk youth. her wholistic approach to health--both human and environmental-- makes Afya a one-of-a-kind organization.
Much of what makes a nonprofit good is the core mission, but what makes a nonprofit great is how the core mission permeates all areas of humanity around it's core.
Afya does just this.
Afya's core mission is simply to collect unused medical supplies from around the nation (mainly New York Tri-Sate Area), and grant wishes to health centers in Africa and Haiit. This mission has been fulfilled on spectacularly, with over 3,000,000 lbs of medical and humanitarian supplies shipped since it's inception in March of '08.
Then magic happens. The environmental impact is undeniable, repurposing 3,000,000 lbs of materials destined for landfill or incineration into usable much needed supplies. Then, with over 400 volunteers coming to Afya every month Afya's Executive Director draws from several at risk populations to fill these much needed spots. Danielle Butin won the Eli Lilly Award in 2010 for her work in this area, helping at risk populations to regain confidence and reenter the work force through giving back.
Finally, after doing work in Haiti ling before the earthquake, Afya responded to the tragedy with mush needed supplies. While in Port Au Prince 1 week post earthquake, Danielle Butin realized the desperate need for rehab services. As an occupational therapist, Ms. Butin worked to assist people with post earthquake injuries and amputations to regain mobility. Afya's Rehab Project in Haiti now employes 30 Haitian Rehab Techs and Builders who are self sustaining, treating the poorest communities in the western hemisphere.
This organization is amazing! I've only scratched the surface with this review, and I implore anyone with a heart to investigate it's mission and work to date. I'm proud to have volunteered there.
AFYA is an incredible organization which sends crucial medical and humanitarian supplies to countries in need - particularly in Africa and Haiti. Their goal is simple - taking unused supplies that would become landfill and steering those supplies to people in need. Of course the execution is anything but simple, but AFYA always finds a way to succeed. AFYA works tirelessly to collect and redistribute at minimal cost so they can provide maximum benefit. Their volunteers include youth groups, student led service groups and a host of others. The work benefits our environment as well as vast populations in need around the world. Danielle's enthusiasm, work ethic and magnetic energy infuse the entire organization with positive momentum.
What a great entity. Something so simple - executed to perfection. Moving medical supplies to those who need, creating volunteerism in the community and helping to green our environment. I continue to be amazed!!!
It's difficult for me to capture how fantastic Afya truly is. Immediately after walking in, one can sense the passion and excitement in the atmosphere. Afya is always doing something to help the developing world. The volunteers there are always nice, friendly, and are very professional. The directors of Afya are very competent and pretty well organized. Best of all, the organization offers so many opportunities to help. Volunteers don't have to follow the organization's agenda; Afya works around what a volunteer can offer. I strongly support Afya and its work, and I hope that more people will become more active in our local opportunity to provide global aid. I love Afya!
Afya is an amazing organization. Everyone who works there is very friendly, and you can tell that they care deeply about the work they are doing. Afya is a not-for-profit organization that sends medical supplies and humanitarian supplies abroad to African nations and Haiti. Everyday, tons of these supplies are sent and make a huge difference in many peoples lives. I am working on their new Birth Kit Campaign, a campaign that collects beanies, blankets, hand sanitizer, soap, and other supplies necessary for a successful child birth. These supplies are sent to Guatemala and Liberia to help rural midwives. I love working on this campaign and knowing that no matter what I do at Afya I am making a difference.
The Afya Foundation is a truly amazing organization. Everyone who works here is so enthusiastic and love what they are doing to help others. From the second I walked in as a volunteer, I've felt so welcomed and really feel like the work I am doing is going to make a difference. I'm working on their new Birth Kit project and even though I am a student volunteer, I feel like everyone thinks that I can really help with this campaign and it is a great feeling. I love everything about the organization- it is truly amazing!
The AFYA Organization has changed my life and has opened my eyes to the beauty and vital importance of Public Health. Every day, heaps of unused medical supplies in the United States are thrown away due to hospital regulations. Most of these supplies do not expire for another couple of years and many of them are still wrapped. Every year, the United States creates approximately 3.2 million tons of medical waste. AFYA tackles this issue head-on by collecting these unused supplies and sending them to clinics of lesser-developed countries. Volunteering at the AFYA Foundation and sorting the medical supplies is always so much fun! All of the staff are extremely kind and helpful and when you are at the warehouse, you can truly feel your impact on the world!
such a simple idea that has been executed beautifully. They go to N.Y.C. area hospitals and pick up at no cost unused and good used equipment and medical supplies the hospitals no longer need. They warehouse and inventory the material in a Yonkers faciltiy and send clinics that they know in 3rd world countries a list of what goods they have available. They then ship them 40 foot containers of supplies. Their overhead runs about 8-9% of the goods shipped. An additional benefit is that they are performing a recycling function that saves lives. I know this to be true and have given them more than $20,000 to aid in their efforts.