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Hear Our Stories
What is it Like to Serve with Be the Change?
Are you curious about what it's like to volunteer in another country? Do you want to hear from real people who actually participated on our outreach trips? The people we serve have unique stories, as well, and their voices should be heard. Check out their stories below!
Joseph Brewster
PHARMACIST & GAMING EXTRAORDINAIRE
" It was an awesome opportunity to get to serve as a pharmacist in this capacity becase you really get to see the impact you can have in a community. "
Danna Link
DENTAL HYGENIST
" I have a passion for reaching children in impoverished areas... My cause is more about preventing dental decay in children ages 6-16, so how we go about doing that is providing dental selants, tooth brushing, and flossing education. "
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Misty Glick
PHOTOGRAPHER
" They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. What do these eyes tell you about her soul? I was so blessed to be a part of a medical mission trip to the Philippines in January and my heart was forever touched by so many of the people who were in desperate need of health care. I accompanied a wonderful nonprofit organization called Be the Change Global Outreach, Inc. They expressed a need for a photographer to document both the sensitive and powerful moments that took place on the mission, and I was on board from that moment on. I will admit that there were times that I wished that I could do more for the sick and impoverished families than just snap a photo, but I was quickly reminded that my job of documenting what was taking place and bringing awareness to the people's plight was equally as important as what the rest of the team was participating in. God sent me on this journey to help spread the word for the people that cannot do so themselves. It is imperative that we live below our own means, so that we can do what is asked of us and help those who need it. "
Sue- Inle Lake
Sue- Inle Lake
Sue- Inle Lake
Sue- Inle Lake
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Sue- Inle Lake, Myanmar
COOKING SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR & COMMUNITY LEADER
"One day during a very hard time, my daughter and I went to the primary school. On that day, I needed to buy an school notebook for my daughter, which is about 200 Kyat ($0.20). At that time, I did not have the money to pay for it. On the way to school, we were both so quite because we both felt ashamed. Suddenly as we passed the market, a foreign lady was passing out the school notebooks to the children passing by and gave us one. My daughter told me "Mommy, don't worry,now we have the book!" I brought my daughter to school and on the way back I was thinking that doing a small thing can really help the life of someone else. After this experience, I decided that if I would have a normal life again, I would also help others like this woman did."- Sue
And she did! These are the books she purchases from her cooking class proceeds to give to the children of the community. This is one of the many ways Be the Change partners with international communities to put our efforts towards positively impact.
2016 Be the Change Short Documentary Video
A look into Concepcion, Tarlac Province Philippines
Dominga, Appropriation Counselor
Edgar, Council Secretary
Sue's Story
Fernanda Delgado
Pharmacist Intern Student
Having the opportunity to go on a medical mission trip to Myanmar this year was life changing. I had no idea what I was about to experience when I originally agreed to come on this trip. It didn’t take long for me to realize that God had planned for me to attend. God gave us strength each day to set up the clinics and serve the people of Myanmar. It was so easy to love each person I encountered, not just from Myanmar but the medical team, too. We all became a family and will forever share a bond that will unite us. The people of Myanmar welcomed us to their homes and allowed us to learn about their beautiful cultures, traditions, and language. My heart had never experienced something as beautiful as this journey and I will be forever grateful that I was a part of it.
Geannette Green
P4 Pharmacist Intern Student
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The people of Myanmar have a distinct aura of gratefulness and serenity that leaves an everlasting impression. One of my fondest memories during my time in Myanmar serving with Be the Change Global Outreach was on the last day of the clinic. There was one little girl, about 10 years old, that I instantaneously connected with. Every time I looked at her she smiled. Every time I smiled at her she giggled. The power of a smile, its ability to brighten one’s day, and the ripple effect that ensues afterward in a moment’s notice is an experience that occurred repeatedly during my time in Myanmar. Encountering people that had such joy and thankfulness for life itself while also learning about the religion and culture of a society vastly different than any I had previously been exposed to impact me in a profound way and made me even more thankful for the blessings in my life.
As a pharmacy student and future health care provider the breadth of exposure for my personal educational advancement during the Myanmar medical mission trip was life-changing. My experiences were not limited to hands-on clinical exposure, dispensing and educating patients about medications, shadowing an amazing dental hygienist, and learning about clinic workflow. Directly seeing the influence our whole dedicated team was having on patients in desperate need of care and the obstacles which people had to overcome in order to receive life-altering patient care services was eye-opening. Being able to serve in Myanmar was an invaluable experience with memories that I will take forward with me for a lifetime, shaping my perspective on health and the way in which I provide care.
Lindsey Loera
Pharmacist Intern Student
When I heard about Be The Change Global Outreach and their mission trip to Myanmar, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to embark on a journey to do good. I had never participated in a mission trip before, I hadn't even been overseas before! To say the experience was life changing is an understatement. We held four days of clinic and saw almost 700 patients. I spent most of my clinic days with children, which really captured my heart. Many of them craved physical closeness and wanted me to hold them, hug them, play with them or hold their hand. To show them love, and for them to love on me was without a doubt the most memorable part of the trip. I was also able to immerse myself in Myanmar's culture and learn some of their history. This was an eye opening and life changing experience which allowed me to give back. The Myanmar mission trip impacted my heart - it was my first mission trip and it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait for the next opportunity to get back to Myanmar!
Robert Stewart
P4 Pharmacist Intern Student
My trip to Myanmar was such a life changing experience that I find it difficult to explain appropriately. We were given the opportunity to help address health inequities by providing some semblance of modern health access to a few of the country’s smaller villages while at the same time making a lasting impression on how they would feel about Americans or westerners in general. I knew our presence was appreciated when the citizens opened their homes to us and provided us with home cooked meals. Our time there seemed to end quickly, but I know the lives we touched are still being impacted today. The mother who received antibiotics for an infection is healthier because we cared enough to visit, the child who could not see far distances is happier now that she has her own pair of glasses, and the pastor’s heart that was in pain from seeing his people suffer has been filled with joy knowing that prayers are heard and answered through the kindness of others, so my trip to Myanmar meant exactly what I hoped for... to be the change that I want to see and to help change the world.
Zhou "Joe" Fang
P4 Pharmacist Intern Student
The medical mission trip to Myanmar was a phenomenal experience. I enjoyed working alongside members of the healthcare team and the local church to provide clinical services for the Burmese community. Seeing the appreciative gestures and smiles on the patients made me realize how important the clinic was to them and how we should not take our health or the health care we have for granted. Apart from the clinic days, I also enjoyed the food, culture, and sightseeing across different cities. The people there were helpful and polite, and they even taught me quite a few phrases in Burmese! Overall, I am extremely grateful for this experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to go!
Rhea Soltau
I have always loved global medicine and knew that it was my calling, but as a pharmacy student, I wasn’t sure how my profession fit into that field. I started working with Kristine, the founder, who is a pharmacist and saw how deep her passion for patient care is and how hard she worked for them. Participating in the mission trip to hold three mobile clinics and launch the Continuation of Care Clinic (CCC) gave me invaluable insight into what it takes to provide free healthcare to people who are in need. No matter what your background is you will learn so much and feel that you gained more than you could ever give.
One of my favorite memories is of an older man we saw on the first day. He was filled with so much gratitude and happiness that he could not stop crying. Because he was shaking I had to take his blood pressure manually and had to control my emotions to keep from crying. It was such an eye-opening experience to see that he was overwhelmed with happiness about receiving basic medical attention. Being able to check things like blood pressure and blood glucose are so accessible (you can get them at any pharmacy!) that we don’t think about how much of a privilege it really is. It was hard work and always SO HOT, but you receive so much love and gratitude from the people that you hardly remember anything else.
Christine Wicke
Traveling with Be the Change Outreach was a life-changing experience for me. I had never been on a mission trip before, but I am so blessed my first one was with this organization!
Kristine Gregory’s leadership is second to none. She encourages all feedback and suggestions where you really feel like you are “the change” instead of just tagging along while other people “are the change”. I felt valued and appreciated each and every day.
When traveling with Be the Change Global Outreach, fellow volunteers are there to lean in and share their talents with the world. There are no bystanders. Everyone is there ready to help and constantly looking out for each other. I got to experience God’s work with a group of people that couldn’t have been more perfect if I would have picked them myself.
I felt, in serving the Filipino population, that they were 100% appreciative for all our efforts and truly treated us with respect - at times, like royalty! It was not something I expected, but seeing their grateful hearts was an experience I will never forget.
Constantly, on the trip, Kristine would tell us that we have to be flexible, and I think that’s what made it the most fun. We had a general idea of what to expect, but there was so much room for flexibility, we got to make it whatever we wanted through collaboration. Kristine leads with an open heart and an open mind which is why this organization is so great.
Before I went on this trip, I thought it would be one time experience and I would move on; however, I’m hooked! I can’t wait to join the next mission trip. In fact, as soon as I boarded the plane home, I contacted Kristine and asked her when we’d be going again. :)
Christine
Jessica Galindo
The Continuation of Care Clinic is a brand new program that Kristine has created and worked endlessly on. This clinic will allow Be the Change and its volunteers to provide healthcare to people in the Philippines during the year which is incredible! I’ve been on a handful of mission trips, and Kristine has created a solution to an issue that I always struggle to accept: not following up. It is hard to leave the countries in which we serve not being certain if patients will continue to get the help that they need. This is why the Continuation of Care Clinic was my favorite part of the 2019 Philippines Outreach.
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As rewarding and fun as volunteering may be, it may also become challenging. I cannot remember a mission trip that I’ve served on where I did not feel hungry, sweaty, or exhausted. During moments like these, I always go back to why I chose to serve in the first place. I encourage all future volunteers to do the same. Always remember your purpose and don’t forget that you’re doing something incredible!
Jessica
Joby Jacob
“Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing. — Voltaire”
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My time with Be The Change Global Outreach started in December 2018 after I met Kristine while finishing my Bachelor’s in Biochemistry at the University of Houston. Every pre-medical student gets asked the same question: “What do you want to specialize in?” This question always perplexed me; What did I want to specialize in? What marginalized group needed Medicine the most? What drew me to Medicine in the first place?
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After building out multiple projects that Be The Change can use on their Medical Missions, I knew that I wanted more. I wanted to see what Global Medicine had to offer - maybe this could be the principal moment that I reflect on throughout my journey to Medical School. After signing up to pilot the Continuation of Care Clinic in July 2019 as a volunteer, I admittedly was stricken with a cloud of nervousness about this Mission. What exactly was my mission? What did I want to gain out of this unique experience?
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My time at the Continuation of Care Clinic in the Philippines was met with nothing but gratitude. Every interaction - patients and strangers alike - was a learning experience. You can only understand Medicine if you first understand your patients. Where they come from, what challenges they face, and what aspirations they await. I grew to learn that relating to your patients helps them to feel more at ease during consultations. I wanted to ensure our patients that they were not alone on this road; we would be there for them every step of the way and would face every obstacle together. A patient can be prescribed a multitude of medicine for their disorder, but true Medicine educates patients about their disease and tailors a distinctive care plan. Gradual, realistic goals are what ultimately drive continual care.
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Sometimes growth can best be brought out by breaking your comfort zone. Although I served in a country in which I was foreign to the populace, a stranger to the language, and unknown to the culture, volunteering at the Continuation of Care Clinic was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my journey to a White Coat. The hospitality I was given was truly fascinating. Every patient touched my heart and maybe one day I can return as a Clinician. Crossing oceans and dipping my toes into the waters of Global Medicine served a dual purpose: It solidified my calling in Medicine, and more importantly, answered what I wanted to accomplish during this Mission - to Be The Change.
Joby
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