Adam Baltaxe

Thanks to Honors, I was able to return to Danlí, Honduras for the second year in a row as a volunteer with Global Medical Brigades. GMB vows to not work for, but instead alongside local communities and staff to implement sustainable health systems. Together with a team of medical students and professionals, I was able to act as a translator to ease communication barriers for the people of Mercedes Chirinas, Honduras. I assisted in all medical stations, developing not only my medical understanding but also my translation skills in high-pressure situations. In just a week, we were able to deliver medical care and supplies to around 300 Hondurans and learned so much about the local culture. 

Something that surprised me was the depth of collaboration between Global Medical Brigades and the local community. I had expected to assist in delivering care, but I didn’t realize how integral the local staff and community members would be in shaping the entire process. GMB’s commitment to working alongside the community, rather than just providing services, was evident from planning logistics to delivering care. Also, while I anticipated honing my translation skills, I didn’t expect the cultural exchange to be so profound. It reminded me how important understanding and respecting the culture is in providing effective care. 

This past summer I worked in peacebuilding, with my main focus being on the Northern Triangle in Central America. I was able to use some of the local knowledge I acquired from this experience to communicate with locals and develop locally-supported projects. I also completed my capstone project in Guatemala and will be going there on another brigade in January, 2025.