AYUDA 2026 Campo Amigo Program

Hi friends, 

Thank you for checking out my fundraising page! I’m so grateful for your interest in supporting AYUDA’s programs! This will be my third year as a volunteer and I can confidently attest to the life-changing nature of AYUDA’s work, through which we educate and empower young people living with diabetes.

What is AYUDA?

American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad (AYUDA) is an organization that empowers youth with diabetes in underserved countries. For the past decade, AYUDA’s operations have been centered in the Dominican Republic. Throughout this time, we have been incredibly fortunate to partner with Aprendiendo a Vivir (AAV), a local organization, to educate Dominican youth about the lifelong condition they live with. AYUDA was founded on the principle that “a lack of education is just as important as a lack of insulin,” meaning that even the necessary diabetes supplies are not enough if a person doesn’t understand their condition. AYUDA and AAV provide both of these essentials, as children can get free medical supplies from AAV as well as learn how to manage their diabetes through the programs our two organizations run together.

What do I do? 

My fellow volunteers and I will spend three weeks this summer in the Dominican Republic. During that time we will be planning and executing activities for Campo Amigo, a diabetes camp for children aged 0-18. Our goal is to create a fun, supportive environment where campers learn more about their condition and connect with peers facing similar challenges, helping reduce the stigma they often feel living with diabetes. When AYUDA volunteers aren’t planning or running Campo Amigo, we facilitate outreach programs in provinces outside the capital, either by leading camps for children or holding diabetes clinics for local adults.

What can you do?

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. To be clear, none of this money goes to me or my travel expenses. All of it goes directly towards different aspects of AYUDA’s programs, such as securing camp facilities, providing diabetes supplies, and supporting education and outreach efforts. Any leftover funds will be given to AAV who assists children with diabetes and their families on a year round basis. I would be thrilled if you would consider supporting this work. A donation of any size is greatly appreciated and will make a difference. Your donation is also tax-deductible and quick and easy to make online. 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.

AYUDA’s Impact

Throughout my time with AYUDA, I have witnessed the impact we have made on the lives of our campers, empowering them to live healthy, confident lives with their condition. My favorite moments of my trip always come when campers are shocked to learn that many AYUDA and AAV volunteers also live with diabetes and begin to see a future they may not have thought possible. A contribution ensures that these kids will keep getting the education, supplies, and guidance they need to thrive with their condition. Thank you so much for your support! It truly means the world to me and to the communities AYUDA serves!

All the best,

Sammy