Please help Dana volunteer in Lima, Peru!

Dana Boergerhoff Start Date: Jun 14, 2016 - End Date: Aug 6, 2016
  • Lima, Peru

My Travel Story

by: Dana Boergerhoff Start Date: Jun 14, 2016 - End Date: Aug 6, 2016
Welcome! 

My name is Dana and I am asking for your help so that I can travel to Lima, Peru, to provide healthcare to low-income populations through a medical clinic run by Cross-Cultural Solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org).  I am currently working toward my Master of Nursing (MN) from the University of Minnesota and will graduate in December, 2016. 

My undergraduate degree is in Anthropology and I believe that learning respect for other cultures is key to providing holistic health care.  Treating the ‘whole person’, including special consideration of their unique cultural background, and not just their illness, allows nurses to have a greater impact on the health of that individual.  One of the most exciting aspects of our MN program was a public health study abroad course offered in August that allowed students to travel to Honduras and practice free nursing care within the local population.  Unfortunately, that class was cancelled and I am now hoping that, with your help, I can have a similar experience through an NGO (non-governmental organization) like Cross-Cultural Solutions.

I am currently a full time student and am paying for my tuition and living expenses with federal loans.  I hope that by asking for financial assistance, I may not have to take out additional loans for this experience.  I will be spending three weeks volunteering (and living) with Cross-Cultural Solutions, which costs a total of $3950.   My airfare cost approximately $1000.  Therefore, I am setting a goal of $4950 that I hope to reach by the time I leave for Lima on August 5th, 2016. 

I want to thank you for taking the time to read through my story, and for donating even a small amount of money to help me reach my goal.  This trip will be a dream come true for me and I couldn’t do it without your help.

Sincerely,
-Dana Boergerhoff
  • Lima, Peru

Updates

3

  • Only 17 Days To Go!

    I continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity that friends, family members, and even people I've only met once or twice have shown by helping me reach my goal. I recently acquired Rosetta Stone for Spanish (Thank you Beth Schuster!), so I'll be using the next two weeks to not only prepare for finals at school, but to prepare for my month-long stay in Peru. I am also VERY excited to announce that I've placed in the Mesonic Children's Hospital Emergency Department for my clinical immersion in the fall. This was my #1 choice and I'm still amazed at how lucky I was to get this placement. One more step on my way to becoming the best RN I can be. :)

  • Passed The $1000 Mark!

    I am so happy to report that I have passed the $1000 mark in donations to my volunteer trip to Peru. Some lovely friends and family members have donated through the mail or in person, so the total amount is actually closer to $2000. I have so grateful to you all, for your generosity, advice, and support.

    I am also celebrating because just today I learned that I've received the Alva Wipperman Queneau Memorial Scholarship which will help my pay for my tuition in the fall. I feel blessed in so many ways.