AYUDA 2024 Campo Amigo Program

Hello all!

I am excited to share that, this summer, I will be volunteering with American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, Inc. (AYUDA) in the Dominican Republic. I've lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over 8 years, and my sister has had it for 15 years, so T1D has always been a big part of my life. I am so grateful for the community T1D has brought me, from attending diabetes camps and making lifelong friends, to meeting people every day who I can connect with. By being active in the diabetes community, I've been able to accept my diabetes and speak about it openly and proudly! I'm so excited to meet new people, both with and without T1D, through this program! My sister volunteered with AYUDA 7 years ago and had an amazing experience, which inspired me to volunteer as well! I want to recognize that I have been incredibly fortunate in the care and support that I receive for T1D. In different places in the US and around the world diabetes care and education looks different for everyone. I am hoping that by volunteering with AYUDA I can gain a wider understanding of what life is like for people with Type 1 Diabetes in different places and help provide people with the education and tools they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life. 

AYUDA uses an innovative peer-leadership model through which international volunteers serve as catalysts to empower local youth living with diabetes to live happier and healthier lives with their condition. Together with AYUDA's in-country partner organization, Aprendiendo a Vivir ("learning to live"), and my fellow volunteers, we will plan and implement community education initiatives, day-long diabetes outreach projects, and local capacity-building programs that motivate and support people of all ages with diabetes and their families.  

AYUDA places an awesome responsibility on its volunteers. By involving volunteers in multiple elements of the program, AYUDA provides hands-on experiences that inspire us to serve as agents of social change, not only in diabetes communities, but in other areas of our lives, as well. We work together with local youth in the Dominican Republic to deliver culturally appropriate and effective programs that are specifically based on the needs of the community with an eye toward long-term sustainability.

AYUDA endeavors to remain a grassroots volunteer-based organization in a unique way: by asking its volunteers to contribute a major part of the costs to run AYUDA’s programs, including the sponsorship of local diabetes projects, through fundraising. Without the dedication of individual volunteers, AYUDA would not be able to implement its programs to support local diabetes communities.

I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic on July 6, but my journey begins today. Please consider supporting my work this summer and the amazing work AYUDA does by making a contribution. Your donation is tax-deductible and quick and easy to make online. Your support ensures that local diabetes programs will continue to thrive and that young people in these communities will have access to education and tools that will help them live happier, healthier lives with diabetes. I am so excited to give back to the T1D community. I would so appreciate ANY contribution, your support makes this program possible. 

¡Juntos somos más fuertes! 

Together we are stronger!

Thank you for your support.

With love,

Claire