University of Arkansas Students and Volunteers Change Lives in Honduras

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The U of A Global Medical/Dental Brigade in Honduras.

Fayetteville, Ark. – The end of summer break is seen by many students’ eyes as a last chance for relaxation, but for Zia Siddiqui and 40 other University of Arkansas students and volunteers, early August was spent venturing into Central America on a service trip.

Zia, a third-year biology major at the University of Arkansas, has a vision to make University of Arkansas the most notable volunteer university in the nation.

In the 2012-13 academic year, Zia founded and became the coordinator of Global Medical/Dental Brigades at the University of Arkansas. A division of the international entity Global Brigades, the chapter follows the organization’s creed: “to improve quality of life in under-resourced regions while respecting local culture.”

The U of A chapter of Global Brigades holds the distinction of being the first in the state and is currently led by President Zia Siddiqui, Vice President Austin Whitesell, and supervisor Dr. Huda Sharaf. The group solidified its presence on campus by first raising $67,000 in only five months, and then venturing to rural Honduras in August 2013. In less than a week, these students brought aid to an area of the world that should last decades.

The group was accompanied by Drs. Michael Grillot and Rick Belt. Grillot, an orthopedic surgeon, expressed his appreciation of the service trip, saying: “I enjoyed working with the students, [they] maintained high levels of enthusiasm [volunteering in] the different stations and playing with the kids… they have a lot to be proud of.”

Belt, a family practice physician at the university's Pat Walker Health Center, shared similar sentiments, saying: “We had opportunities to interact with Honduran people outside the clinic setting, as well as providing hands-on medical care; the students also worked hard at health education for the children. I am so proud of our students…this was an awesome experience for me personally, I want to go again.”

The chapter hired many in-country health care professionals to help facilitate the brigade. More than 300 pounds of medication were distributed to approximately 600 patients and to numerous health clinics. Additionally, over 800 hygiene packs were dispersed to children of the surrounding communities. Each day, volunteers worked for hours within several health stations that included triage, physician and dental consultation, gynecologic services, data informatics, children and adult education, and pharmacy. In spite of the demanding daily workload, students agreed unanimously on the value of the experience.

Zia Siddiqui said: “During the trip I had the opportunity to see both an orphanage and the homes of Honduran families, which gave me a better perspective on how the people there live. One of the best parts of the brigade was being able to help and spend time with the children who, in spite of how little they had, were so happy to see us. Seeing them smile made me smile— it was truly an eye-opening and humbling experience.”

The brigade’s final project was helping implement a water purification system. After a trek into Honduran mountains and hours of digging trenches, over 120 Honduran community homes will now have access to purified water for decades.

The students of Global Brigades at the University of Arkansas are sincerely thankful for the support of the alumni and other friends of the University whose generosity funded their initiative. The chapter plans to make annual trips to provide critically needed global aid. Students interested in volunteering for upcoming trips should email Siddiqui at gmb@uark.edu and visit the Medical Bridgade’s website.