AYUDA 2025 Campo Amigo Program

Hi everyone, 

My name is Sammy Kniker and I am a senior in high school from Georgetown, Massachusetts. This summer will be my second time volunteering with American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad (AYUDA) in the Dominican Republic. I joined AYUDA because I wanted to help other people who had diabetes like I do and because of my interest in Spanish. 

AYUDA is an organization that empowers youth with diabetes in Spanish speaking countries to live happier and healthier lives. AYUDA partners with the Dominican diabetes organization Aprendiendo a Vivir (AAV) to educate children and their families about how to manage diabetes.

This summer, my fellow volunteers and I 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. We will also work together to run Campo Amigo: a two-weekend diabetes education family program.

My trip to the DR last summer was incredible. I enjoyed teaching the kids at camp about how to manage their diabetes but also enjoyed learning about their culture and their own lives. Volunteering with AYUDA also provided me with an important lesson: Although many Dominicans who live with diabetes suffer from a lack of resources and education, their overall sense of happiness and positivity makes so much possible in the development of their diabetes care. Experiencing this made me realize how important AYUDA’s mission is, which is why I’m so excited to return this summer to continue this incredible work!

AYUDA places an awesome responsibility on its volunteers by involving them in multiple elements of the program. One of these elements is fundraising. Volunteers contribute a major part of the cost of running AYUDA’s programs, including sponsorship of local diabetes projects. This is where I need your help! My goal is to raise $7,000 before I go to the Dominican Republic in July. Not a single dollar of this money will go to me; all of it will be given to fund AYUDA's life-changing programs. Fundraising is crucial to AYUDA's mission as it endeavors to remain a grassroots, volunteer-based organization. Without the fundraising of individual volunteers, AYUDA would not be able to implement its programs to support local diabetes communities.

Although I don't leave for the Dominican Republic until July 19th, my AYUDA experience begins today. Please consider supporting my work this summer, and the amazing work of AYUDA, by making a contribution. Your donation is tax-deductible and quick and easy to make online. A donation of any size makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Living with Type 1 diabetes has provided me with significant challenges, but I have been incredibly fortunate to have excellent medical care, including high-quality diabetes education. Many people living with diabetes worldwide are not as lucky. Your support ensures that local diabetes programs will continue to thrive and that young people with diabetes in underserved communities will have access to education and tools that will help them live happier, healthier lives.