Summer Enrichment 2011CCS GuatemalaRahul Joseph

Centre College 2014

Purpose

• Medical professional: What does it mean?

• Who do I want to be?

• Exposure to foreign healthcare environments

• Immersion into Latin American culture

• Springboard for more intense/extensive projects

Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS)

• Vision

• “Our Vision is of a world where people value cultures different from their own, are aware of global issues, and are empowered to effect positive change.”

• Values:

• Shared Humanity

• Respect

• Integrity

Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS)

• “Our Mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. We are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations.”

Guatemala

www.lonelyplanet.com

Guatemala

• Population: 14 million

• Heart of Mayan world

• Poverty (2007): 56.2% of population

• 74.5% of rural population

• 77.3% of indigenous population

• Extremes

• Wealth & poverty

• Obesity & hunger

• Modern & ancient

• Western & Mayan

• Oppression

• Violence

www.planetware.com

www.wikipedia.org

“What did you do?”

• CCS Guatemala Health Internship

• Volunteer placement

• Work with intern advisor

• Research on relevant topic

• Weekly reflections

• Culminating presentation

CCS Volunteers

Clínica Periférica La Bethania

Amigos

Tra

vel

It was about…

• Service

• Not big changes, but little victories

• Exploration

• Why practice medicine? What does it mean in a different context? A different language? A different country?

• Vision

• Healthcare

• Children

• Accessibility

• Sustainability

In the future?

• Continued exploration of medical field

• Obligation to “shared humanity”

• Cultural immersion abroad

• Work with other Fellows

• Ultimate goal (thanks, LeaderShape)

• Free, sustainable health centers for basic child healthcare

• Treat and prevent most common causes of child mortality