"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Hello everyone! It has always been one of my passions to dive into a foreign country, and lend out a helping hand to others who are less fortunate and in need of healthcare services. This year, I finally have the opportunity to go on my very first mission trip! I’ll be going to a training center & camp in Peru in June to assist with various community outreach projects where I will be utilizing my skills that I’ve learned thus far in Occupational Therapy to benefit children, adolescents, and adults in the surrounding community.

So, you might be thinking, "What is Occupational Therapy?" Occupations are roles, habits, and routines that are a part of an everyday routine. And if it’s impaired, Occupational Therapists step in to develop interventions for clients and help them to be as independent as possible in their everyday tasks or things that are meaningful to them. In a nutshell, Occupational Therapy is a holistic approach to health rehabilitation that encompasses mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

I am truly excited to go on this trip, however I don’t have all the funds to go on it just yet. Therefore, I am asking with great humility, if you would help sponsor me for this trip. Any amount would be greatly appreciated! I can also take donations through Venmo, my username is @KirstieVelante. Message me if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your help! Have a wonderful year!

With so much gratitude and love,

Kirstie <3

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ADRA Peru has invited SIMS to bring an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty to the Chuquicahuana Training Center & Camp, a facility located in the Department of Cuzco. ADRA utilizes the training center as a home base for a variety of community outreach projects in communities surrounding the center. Additionally, ADRA hosts several week-long camps emphasizing health themes throughout the year for children, adolescents, and adults in the community. The goal of the camps for children and young people is to expose them to new ways of thinking regarding their physical and mental health. In addition to these service activities with ADRA, SIMS is partnering with the local Seventh-day Adventist church to offer community health education workshops and health fairs.

As participants on this trip, students from all the health professions will have an opportunity to contribute their knowledge and skills to benefit the local community. ADRA and SIMS are working to confirm the final activity details, which will include: