SUU Nutrition Major Takes Health Supplies to Mexico
Published: August 01, 2019 | Author: Andrew Brown | Read Time: 2 minutes
While serving a religious mission in Xochimilco, Mexico, Southern Utah University nutrition major Kyler Kirkland recognized a need for medical supplies and services in areas that didn’t have regular access to them. After meeting with leaders of a nonprofit that held a small health clinic in Xochimilco, Kirkland realized that he could make a difference and began gathering both resources and volunteers.
“The people of Xochimilco were the primary focus,” said Kirkland. “It's an underserved community, and it was an incredible opportunity to be able to provide the local community with vaccinations, immunizations, vitamins, antiparasitic drugs, as well as blood pressure and diabetes checks.”
Working with accounting major and fellow SUU senior Jesse Jones, Kirkland was able to get doctors, psychologists, and dentists from Cedar City and Mexico to donate medical supplies and their services to the clinic.
“Planning an international project required a lot more work than I thought it would,” said Kirkland. “Once the local clinic and nonprofit leaders agreed to work with me, I had to find other professionals willing to come and help. It was difficult coordinating a project from so far away and in another language, I had to learn a lot of new words and phrases in Spanish.”
In addition to coordinating the donations with the clinic, Kirkland was able to go to Mexico and assist with handing out flyers, dental kits, and toys to the community. The project gathered so many supplies that the students were able to share extra supplies in a neighboring community.
“I am a pre-med student and being able to work with all the healthcare volunteers and provide the people with free medical supplies only solidified my love and passion for medicine,” said Kirkland. “At the end of my project, it really showed me the importance of always looking for opportunities to serve others. The experiences you have while giving service are incredible.”
Tags: Nutrition
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