AYUDA 2024 Campo Amigo Program

Hi everyone! It's Tori :)

As many of you are aware, I have spent my last two summers in the Dominican Republic with a program called AYUDA. Every summer, AYUDA sends a group of young volunteers abroad to work with a local diabetes foundation, Aprendiendo a Vivir. While there, we plan and run Campo Amigo: a summer camp aimed to connect and educate families in the DR managing type 1 diabetes. We also conduct educational outreach programs in communities outside of Santo Domingo and local capacity-building programs. 

These past two years have truly changed my life, both regarding how I view my own condition (I have lived with T1D for 11 years) and in general. AYUDA teaches its volunteers how to act as agents for social change not just in-country, but in general. As I aspire to go into business, I have gained entrepreneurial skills from fundraising and working with a non-profit that can only come from experience. I have learned greater perseverance through having to overcome language and cultural barriers. And last summer, I learned how much I love to be a leader for something I care about. 

This summer, I am thrilled to be returning to the DR as a Volunteer Mentor, meaning I will be higher on the leadership team and serve as a role model/source of support for our volunteers. Before last year's program, I was considering whether or not I would return for a third summer. However, after week 1 of Campo 2023, I knew I had no choice. I care so deeply about AYUDA's work and have formed such meaningful connections with local Dominicans that I am emotionally compelled to return this year; AYUDA feels like family. Last year, I used my experience in grupo azul (8-12 year olds) to help design well-developed, educational, and most importantly, fun activities for our campers. During a trip to the local pediatrics hospital, which we missed in 2022 due to COVID restrictions, I gained incredible insight to our campers' daily experiences living with diabetes and learned to appreciate Aprendiendo a Vivir's work more than ever; my passion for Campo Amigo skyrocketed. 

I want to thank all of you for the tremendous support that I have previously received for my adventures with AYUDA. Just in the last two years, I have witnessed significant changes in the diabetes community in the DR. Last summer, a sizable number of campers were wearing continuous glucose monitors, which was extremely rare to see my first year. I even met a young girl with an insulin pump, which is game-changing for managing this tough condition. I can see how our work is helping the Dominican kids I've grown close to, and I am encouraged to continue my mission in continuing these hopeful advancements. Your donation is tax-deductible and incredibly appreciated by not just me, but by diabetes communities around the world. Any amount makes a huge difference!!

I've included some pictures from last summer for you to enjoy and see what I was up to!!

Much love,

Tori