Exercise Science senior Jessica Carlson traveled to Belize over winter break for AMSA’s 8-day medical mission trip. The purpose of the trip was to provide medical care to Belizean communities in need. This trip was an international servicing learning trip provided by ISL. In Belize the students were able to serve the community and also have fun. They provided medical care in the communities of Saint Margaret and Frank’s Eddy. They spent two days volunteering in each community. The first day they made home visits, going door to door asking families if anyone was sick so that they could make appointments for them at the free clinic. The second day they assisted in the volunteer clinic (which had a physician, pharmacist, students, and a massage therapist). At the clinic they were able to take patients’ medical histories, vital signs, assist in the pharmacy, and present their patient and possible diagnosis to the physician. As an added challenge, many of the conversations with members of the communities were in Spanish. Most students had some Spanish background so they were able to gather information with a little patience from the community members and some help from the translators. In addition to serving the community, they were also able to attend a class on suturing and learn and present about common tropical diseases in Belize. To add to the adventure, they visited the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, hiked a medicinal trail, explored the city of San Ignacio, and traveled to the island Caye Caulker to snorkel and relax on the beach. Jessica would highly recommend this experience to anyone interested!
Truman Students Jessica Carlson, Yu Xuan Lin and Clara Wolf, pictured on the far left from left to right, volunteer at a free medical clinic in Belize.