Going to Honduras was like going home. The hot humid weather, trash littered on the side of the road, and beautiful tropical greenery scattered throughout the country. The cities with modern architecture and paved roads. The “communities” (or village areas) with dirt roads that could take out even the best rough terrain vehicle, houses that shouldn’t be able to withstand rainy season (but do), the kindest people living in some of the worst conditions, a lack of clean water systems, and access to little or no healthcare. That being said, it is a country overflowing with pride of its culture and potential. You see, I was born in Nigeria and although I have lived in America for the past 13 years, in one week, I was reminded of what I left behind.
My service trip to Honduras took place from May 14-20 and was solely a health-related one. It consisted of 3 medical days, 1 water day, and 1 public health day. As I stated earlier, a majority of the citizens of Honduras have access to little or no healthcare and the little they have is often poor. If they don’t have the money to pay for their treatment outright, they can’t receive it. I saw little children with all of their teeth completely rotten. Almost everyone we saw during the medical days was given medication for worms because clean water, so easily accessible here in America, is a luxury in Honduras. I saw many people struggling day-to-day and suffering from health conditions that wouldn’t phase a majority of American citizens.
I am currently studying to enter into the medical field and this year was a really tough one with preparing for and taking my MCAT; however, after my week in Honduras, I’m reminded that I am lucky to call that a struggle. I’m reminded of the living conditions my parents took my siblings and me out from in Nigeria. I am reminded that, at the end of the day, I’m going into the health field to be an advocate for those who cannot participate in the debate over if healthcare is a right or not. I am reminded that any help that goes to countries like Honduras must be sustainable, enabling its citizens. This trip, as all service trips do, widened my perspective even more and increased in me a heart of gratitude, particularly towards my parents.
I will remember why I fight for people every day. I will remember why I advocate for healthcare for everyone now, even before I become a doctor, and will continue to be an advocate, combining my medical degree with a public health degree to help bring a structure of decent healthcare to those who don’t have one regardless of what country they are in. If I can live a fairly healthy life allowing my energy to be spent realizing all my dreams, then everyone should have the same opportunity, especially children!