By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
San Pedro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala.
Located along Lake Atitlán, the small city is known for its vibrant Mayan culture, stunning volcano views, lively nightlife and cozy cafes and restaurants.
Go an hour or two beyond its borders, though, and life is much different. The residents of these poorer, rural communities lack access to electricity, health care and other basic necessities.
That’s where two dozen University of Nebraska at Kearney health science students went on a recent medical outreach trip.
The 14-day experience was organized through the UNK chapter of VAW Global Health Alliances, a nonprofit that brings medical, dental and veterinary care, health education and nutritional support to underserved areas around the world.
Staying with host families in San Pedro, the students traveled to clinics in several nearby communities, where they worked alongside local physicians and nurses to provide free health care for residents. Over six days, they treated more than 840 patients.
“It was definitely eye-opening,” said UNK junior Mia Berg, a pre-medical student from Eureka, Missouri. “You hear about the poverty and the lack of access to health care, but to actually see people living without electricity or clean water, who don’t even realize they’re sick, that really puts things into perspective.”
The mobile medical clinics were set up in public spaces such as schools and a church. Students assisted with intake and vital signs, shadowed doctors during exams and worked at the pharmacy station. Common conditions included gastrointestinal parasites, skin infections, malnutrition and urinary tract infections.
“A lot of people had never seen a doctor before, and some were in their 50s or 60s,” Berg said. “They were incredibly grateful – some were even in tears.”
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, Berg said the trip reinforced her passion for health care and helping others. She’d like to volunteer as a traveling doctor in the future, providing care in other developing countries.
“It’s very rewarding work,” she said, “and it makes you appreciate what we have here in the U.S. even more. In Guatemala, many people can’t afford insulin or they don’t have access to it, and that’s something I rely on to live. If you become diabetic there, many don’t survive. That really stuck with me.”
Madison Bossman, a UNK junior from Gretna, served as team leader for the trip. Studying in the pre-physician assistant program, she wanted to gain professional skills and dive deeper into global health care.
“In San Pedro, they have access to health care, but it was a completely different story in the surrounding communities,” Bossman said. “It was really interesting to see how a touristy location compares to these small towns.”
“It was also really inspiring to see how happy and thankful the patients were,” she added. “That definitely reaffirmed why I want to go into health care – to help people who truly need it.”
For both students, staying with host families added to the cultural immersion. They shared meals, practiced their Spanish and learned more about everyday life in Guatemala.
“If you have the opportunity, I think everyone should travel abroad and experience life in another country,” Berg said. “It’s a great way to broaden your perspective and create new connections.”
The UNK group also toured local health care facilities, explored San Pedro businesses and restaurants and participated in activities such as zip lining, cliff jumping and hiking. The trip cost each participant about $2,400, not including airfare. That money covered medical supplies and medication so the clinics could serve every patient free of charge.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Bossman said. “I don’t think you can put a price on something like this – being able to help people, learn from another culture and grow both personally and professionally. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.”
