1. Getting to Know You

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to volunteer with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation?
What inspired you to get involved with the Foundation specifically?

I am a current medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, VA. I first heard about Vincente Ferrer Foundation (VFF) through my mother who had learned about the impact of Rural Development Trust (RDT) on the villages surrounding Anantapur. As both of my parents are from Anantapur, I was intrigued by the work that was being done by RDT across the various sectors to improve rural communities. It was an approach that I was drawn to due to its sustainable models and its breadth in reaching a wide range of individuals. 

Learning about RDT, I visited the RDT High School for Inclusive Education, and I was amazed at the supportive environment that had been created to foster the education and growth of the children. As a medical student, I am interested in global health and the opportunity to learn from different healthcare systems in order to address disparities and inequities among communities. As such, I was able to complete an internship at Bathalapalli Hospital one summer, further providing me exposure on how RDT has been able to address several gaps that existed within rural communities in India. The experience exposed me to the workings of a healthcare system, far different from the ones I had shadowed in the U.S. but with the same goal to reduce inequities and promote access to medical care for all individuals. Having spoken to many of the physicians who worked at the hospital and the patients whose hope had been rekindled thanks to the availability of medical care, I truly came to appreciate how RDT addressed the necessity for rural healthcare through hospitals that were available to those who had been denied access. The work that is being done across RDT continues to serve as an inspiration to me, as I continue along my academic journey to become a physician who can also help improve global health inequities.

2. Volunteering Highlights

How long have you been volunteering, and what keeps you motivated?
Can you share a memorable project or moment from your time volunteering?

I completed my internship at Bathalapalli Hospital in the summer of 2023, and since then, I have been involved with VFF through different ways, including speaking at events about my experiences and recently, joining the National Youth Leadership Council. Having had the internship experience, I knew I wanted to continue being involved with RDT, but traveling to India every year was not a tangible option for me. Instead, working with VFF allows me to still be involved and make an impact by sharing my experiences. The stories of the individuals that are impacted by RDT keep me motivated. Knowing that the work I am able to accomplish as a volunteer through VFF will help highlight RDT’s impact in the local community is a key source of motivation for me. 

When I visited the various departments at Bathalapalli Hospital, it was not one moment that stood out to me from my internship experience but rather the totality of my interactions with the people who worked at the hospital and were eager to share the work they were doing and the stories of the patients who had been supported by the hospital. Finally receiving a diagnosis for their child after seeing a constellation of symptoms, a light returned to the parents’ eyes, finally knowing how they can support their child. The joy of a mother holding her newborn was palpable throughout the ward. These moments from my internship collectively defined the impact of RDT and were the highlight from my experience. 

3. Impact and Community

How do you think your work has contributed to the communities the Foundation serves?
Is there a particular story or experience that stands out to you from your volunteering?

I believe that stories are a powerful vessel for spreading information, and through my work in sharing about the wealth of knowledge and skills I gained through my internship, I have been able to illustrate RDT’s impact for those who may not know much about the organization. By adding my personal experience, I have contributed to fundraising efforts that directly goes back to help sustain the work that is being done in India to support the local communities. There was one event that Ushree invited me to speak at, and this particular experience illustrated how stories can make an impact in delivering information about a nonprofit. I was able to share my knowledge of RDT and VFF with individuals who were not too familiar with the organization, inspiring them to take part in the organization through volunteering or fundraising efforts.

4. Personal Growth

What have you learned through volunteering that has influenced your personal or professional life?
How has this experience changed your perspective on global development or social impact?

For me, my greatest highlight with RDT and VFF has been my internship with Bathalapalli Hospital, and that experience has cemented my interest in pursuing global health as a future physician. I hope to continue working with rural communities to improve access to healthcare and reduce disparities that may persist within medicine. As a medical student, I am currently part of a longitudinal global health program at VCU called Acute Care and Systems Strengthening in Low Resource Settings (ACCESS) Program. My experience with Bathalapalli Hospital has directly impacted my interest in joining ACCESS, and I hope to continue delving into global health further through storytelling. My perspective on global development and social impact has broadened due to my volunteer experience, as I now understand all the different ways to enact change, starting at a local level and continuing at a global level. I have a greater appreciation of the programming and the efforts to make change sustainable and impactful. 

5. Looking Ahead

What excites you about the Foundation’s future work, and how do you plan to stay involved?
What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering with the Foundation?

Something remotely unique about the relationship between the Foundation and RDT is the way that volunteers can still make a difference despite not being directly on the ground. In addition, youth are shaping tomorrow’s future, and allowing them to get involved early on in their journeys allows them to evolve as individuals and to seek opportunities to enhance programming through a different lens. I am excited to continue being involved, beyond just my passion in global health, but to also explore the other sectors for which RDT and the Foundation currently have programming. I am hoping to start my own projects with an emphasis on global health storytelling that can be applied to other areas of the Foundation. For those who are thinking about volunteering, do it! This experience has truly changed me as an individual and as a student and exposed me to various avenues that I previously had no idea about. You will be able to develop your skills in whatever area you choose, and you will have a deeper connection to the work that is being accomplished by the organization. A lot of what volunteering is goes back to your why, and my why has been the people that the Foundation serves. Remembering why the Foundation exists and its purpose can truly change your perspective on volunteering and the experience you are able to get out of it. 

6. Fun Question

When you’re not volunteering, what do you like to do in your free time?

I love to explore and go on long walks, as well as spend time with family and friends. I enjoy reading and writing, and being involved with volunteering initiatives apart from academics keeps me grounded.