AYUDA 2026 Campo Amigo Program

I am excited to share that, this summer, I will be volunteering with American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, Inc. (AYUDA) in the Dominican Republic. 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 is extremely important to me, as through managing my own type 1 diabetes, I have grown an interest in the condition and helping others to treat it effectively. Throughout my own journey with Type 1, I have been fortunate enough to not only have access to state of the art devices and insulin, but I also have received an excellent education helping me to fully understand how to manage my condition. AYUDA's mission of aiding with a focus on diabetes education is imperative, and I saw the true impact of it through my participation last summer. Interacting with local children and families in Santo Domingo demonstrated the importance of this community and shared understanding of type 1 diabetes, as well as the impact that education has on treatment. This program touches the lives of children in a beautiful way, and I have a deep appreciation of the way it addresses living with type 1 diabetes. It has given me the opportunity to combine my passion for endocrinology with my interest in global health, and I am looking forward to returning for another summer.

AYUDA places a key 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 19th, 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. A donation of any size makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.