Mental Health Mission to Africa

Estefania Zambrano Start Date: Apr 28, 2023 - End Date: Aug 25, 2023
  • Kenya, Kenya
  • Mombasa, Kenya

My Travel Story

by: Estefania Zambrano Start Date: Apr 28, 2023 - End Date: Aug 25, 2023
Hello!
My name is Estefania, and I am Colombian and American. I am currently studying in the US with the ultimate goal of becoming a Doctor and specializing in psychiatry. Growing up in Colombia and then moving to the US has made me acutely aware of the scarcity of mental health services in developing countries. Stereotypes surrounding mental health prevail, and there is often a lack of access to quality care. 

To become a responsible, well-rounded doctor, I believe I need to learn skills across continents and see how medicine and mental health are addressed in the most challenging conditions, not just in modernized hospitals. With this in mind, I have decided to travel to Kenya to gain a unique perspective on how mental health services are provided.  

During my stay in Kenya, I will be working at a violence recovery center for women and children, as well as volunteering at the main psychiatric hospital and general hospital in the region. This experience will undoubtedly be life-changing, both educationally and personally, and I am excited to gain a deeper understanding of mental health care in a different cultural context. 

My ultimate goal is to open a mental health center for neglected children in Colombia. I believe that my experiences in Kenya will contribute significantly to this long-term goal, and I am confident that the International Medical Aid organization, with whom I am travelling, will ensure that I can safely and responsibly provide help to the community in Kenya, as well as in the US and Colombia in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my aspirations and goals. I hope to make a positive impact on the world through my work in medicine and mental health.

Thank you so much in advance for your contribution, know it makes a real impact and that anything helps. 

PS. I added my resume below, in case you would like to know a bit more about me or ask some questions.
  • Kenya, Kenya
  • Mombasa, Kenya

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