fbpx

Public Health Passion Ignited
Posted: February 3, 2016



Reflections of Curamericas Global volunteer Bess Smith

In 2009, I attended a talk by Curamericas Global’s Founder, Dr. Henry Perry, at Appalachian State University. I already had an interest in public health, but was inspired to learn more when I heard about the work that Curamericas was doing. Listening to Dr. Perry explain his vision of partnering with communities around the world to provide healthcare ignited an interest in the field that has continued ever since.

The statistics behind Curamericas’ work were, and still are, staggering to me. The second leading cause of death in children under age five is diarrheal disease, which is preventable with clean drinking water and proper sanitation (like washing your hands with soap). Curamericas has halved child mortality in communities in Guatemala, Liberia, and Bolivia by empowering community leaders and incorporating lifesaving health education through home visits and care groups.

After Dr. Perry’s inspirational talk in 2009, I tried to incorporate my interest in global health into everything I could. I wrote papers on community development in my English classes, mapped tuberculosis in Africa for geography projects, and traveled to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica on service trips over breaks from school. While in the Dominican Republic I contracted roundworms, and, while being “de-wormed,” I realized how lucky I was to have access to adequate medical treatment, when so many do not.

I now work in the Research Triangle Park and have more free time to volunteer and pursue my interests. I immediately thought of public health as a field I would love to volunteer in, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Curamericas was headquartered in Raleigh and was accepting volunteers!  Since I began volunteering at Curamericas, I have learned a great deal about the inner workings of a global non-profit. I have seen the generosity of donors, and the hard work it takes to make Curamericas operate. At the Second Annual Hops for Hope event, I saw how passionate the Curamericas community is about their mission, and learned about their work with the Ganta Hospital in Liberia. In the office, I see the enthusiasm that the staff and volunteers bring with them every day to accomplish the dream Dr. Perry started in 1983. I am so glad I attended Dr. Perry’s talk in 2009, and so grateful that I am now participating in his vision of improving the lives of mothers and children in communities around the world.


Share this Article



Stay Up-To-Date With Curamericas Global




We will not spam, sell or otherwise misuse your information!