Meet Viri Maldonado, our chaperone for our 2012 HIGHER (Helping in Global Health, Education and Reform) program for summer students. We are so thrilled to have Viri accompanying our students to Boaco, Nicaragua for their summer experience. Why? Well … Viri is awesome. She’s 22 years old, is working towards her BS in Human Development and Biology at UC Davis, and plans to go to Medical School. She’s the kind of person who you both instantly like and are impressed by. She’s smart, kind, ambitious, compassionate, easygoing – we could go on and on. Here she is, in her own words:
What about Clinica Verde sparked your interest and passion?
Clinica Verde is a wonderful project that has a very special place in my heart not only because it aims to help those experiencing health disparities but also because it takes a sustainable approach. The environment and saving resources is something very important to me. Healthcare starts first by taking care of your surroundings and providing a safe environment so that people can attain the most basic healthcare. The fact that Clinica verde takes a holistic approach in treating patients is of high importance to me because it makes people feel like they are truly cared for regardless of whatever situation they may find themselves in.
What do you hope the students gain from their summer experience?
I hope that the summer experience can be both informative and fun for the students. I hope that at the end of the program the students find it rewarding to be able to help people in need and make a difference in their lives no matter how small it may be.
What do you hope to gain yourself?
I hope to learn about the people the services are being provided for and their approach to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have a very strong interest in medicine and, in particular, helping underprivileged communities; I hope that the summer experience with HIGHER will reinforce my interests. I hope to enhance my passion for healthcare by learning more about the medical field and how to be proactive in encouraging people to surround themselves with a healthy environment, thus producing a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, I hope that the experience will help me to learn how to improve the quality of society.
Personal motto?
Be kind to all people because everyone deserves it