Summary
Hello Community,
We are two first-generation Latinas attending the University of California Berkeley, majoring in History of Latin America with a concentration on Public Health [Vanessa], and Anthropology with a Minor in Disability Studies [Melanie]. As seniors we did not want to leave without studying abroad. We were fortunate enough to be accepted into the Dominican Republic Public Health Summer 2014 Program. Throughout our years in college we developed a common passion for public health. This program will allow us to gain a better understanding of health issues affecting the community in Santiago, Dominican Republic and to what extent they are being addressed at both a domestic and political level.
Vanessa's Story:
I grew up living in a one bedroom apartment in Compton, California and I am the second oldest of 6 siblings. Growing up we lacked healthy food options around the neighborhood, and those that did exist were expensive. Our parents hardly allowed us to step onto the street, because we never knew if drive bys or any other type of violence would occur. My neighborhood is unsafe, causing severe stress on my family, and it is not helpful that the apartment they live in currently is falling apart. My family continues living in this apartment because they cannot afford to pay elsewhere with my dad’s salary. Our environment has severely affected my family’s health leading for my mother to have more frequent epileptic seizures and my father’s alcoholic consumption to increase causing him to suffer from alcohol withdrawal and high blood pressure.
Being here at this University, I became more aware of the social determinants such as income, education, and the physical environment that prevents low-income families from living a healthy lifestyle, and I realized my family was living proof of this. I want to help create policies that allow families in low-income communities to have a wider option of healthy foods, at a more affordable price and also stress the importance of staying active. Two of my other public health goals in life, is to help create more mental health resources specifically for women of color, as well as partaking in global public health interventions. Both my experiences growing up and in college have allowed me to grow passionate about public health, and in the future I hope to earn my Masters in both Public Health and Public Policy. By partaking in this Summer Abroad Program, I hope to gain knowledge on not only how the Public Health System works in the Dominican Republic, but also on how it came about to be that way. Through learning the Health System’s historical origins, I will get a deeper understanding of its present dynamics. I am happy to have finally found a program that incorporates not only my passion for Latin American History, but also that of Public Health. I am excited to embark on this journey; ultimately another step into my dream of creating change.
Melanie's Story:
As a first-generation Latina attending college, growing up with divorced parents, and relocating homes various times after filing for bankruptcy, I have beat the odds. I was born and raised in the city of San Fernando located in Southern California, predominantly a Latino community. Students like myself are not supposed to make it out of high school, but this stereotype has fueled my passion for returning to my community and helping families like my own. I currently live in a one-parent household with my mother and three siblings. Although I grew up in a community that is considered a food desert, I never comprehended or questioned the health disparities present. My entire family especially my mother who has been both a father and mother to me has been tremendously affected. The instability and lack of health benefits of my mother’s factory job has left her no other choice but to neglect her health. She cannot afford visiting a clinic, and even if she gets the day off she has other errands that take up her time. It saddens and angers me to know that the woman who has raised me and has fought for my own health is not able to take care of herself. Not because she does not want to, but because of our socio-economic status and the lack of bilingual healthcare professionals. These issues need to be addressed and I want to take part in that process.
My family’s background in addition to the culture shock I experienced at college helped me realize the lack of representation of people of color in higher education and within the healthcare system. I want to advocate for other underserved families and help prevent, reduce, and ultimately eliminate health disparities amongst communities that lack access to health resources. For that reason, I am currently interested in obtaining a Masters in Public Health and earning my MD degree to catalyze the change I want to see. I have learned culture competence is a key component for developing a good doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, as an aspiring doctor I believe this program will be a great space for me to apply my knowledge, but also acquire new skills through active learning in a different environment. There are various socio-economic, historical, political, and cultural factors that I want to learn about the Dominican Republic that contribute to the dynamics of their health care system.
What We Need & What You Get
After reviewing an estimate of the amount of money the University will grant us each for this trip, and considering our family’s financial circumstances, we will not be able to cover all travel expenses. Together we are asking for a total of $2,500 which we will divide amongst each other. We will love to share our experiences as we take public health courses, work in a clinic interacting with patients, and live with a residential family, through a blog we will establish while participating in this program.
The Impact
Aside from having the privilege to travel to Mexico we have not had the opportunity of going to other places around the world. By going to the Dominican Republic we can learn to practice cultural competence and understand rather than impose our own views about public health and healthcare in other Latin American countries. This will not only be an educational experience, but also a journey to self discovery and growth. Ultimately, after our program concludes, we want to pay it forward by spreading awareness about current issues affecting the Dominican population. We will not only learn how the health system works, but also how it came to be the way it is now. In the future, when creating public health policies one needs to know what has worked and what has not, to make the most effective decisions that will benefit different groups of people.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you cannot support us financially, do not worry we understand the struggle. Please help us by spreading the word and sharing this link.
