Medical & Health Careers Program

Spotlight on The Student Run Health Clinic Kindling Intellectual Development (KID) Program

The following is a description by one of the Medical and Health Careers Program Peer Mentors and SRHC KID Program Coordinators, Viet Nguyen, on a great and rewarding service opportunity for students.

Kidding Around: A New Attempt at Inspiring Kids to have Fun while Learning

Aristotle claimed that "Excellence is a habit."  I only know that because my third grade teacher, Ms. Silver, posted the phrase on the wall and reminded all of her students of its truth every day: while we practiced time tables, imitated famous artwork out of runny water colors, and repeated grammatical exercises. In fact, I don't think I knew how to spell "excellence" back then, let alone understand Aristotle's intent. But I knew what it felt like when Ms. Silver told me I did well and how, when I didn't try enough, her disappointment affected my day.  I understood the sense of constant support and encouragement.

In truth, the Kindling Intellectual Development (KID) program, like all of the SRHC/Project Food efforts has a very simple mission: to help the underserved. We want to help children in this program ignite the fire of knowledge by acquiring a passion for learning that grows brighter with each new idea and concept, and in doing so, giving them the keys to escape the confines of intellectual and financial poverty.

KID hopes to expose the children in the Story Time Room at the First Congregational Church to the sense of satisfaction that accompanies diligence and success, to provide support and stimulus during their quest for knowledge, and to motivate the children in areas that receive little emphasis in the classroom setting, like origami, watercolor painting, etc.  Moreover, the KID program seeks to supplement any resource deficiency, based on financial limitations: back-to-school supplies, books, clothing, and Halloween costumes. This is the first year for the KID program.

The Story Time room has been available for many years now, as a part of Project Food, but having a group of organized SRHC volunteers there, consistently, week after week has been something new. As volunteers, with relatively little experience in a recreational, motivational, and academic program like KID, we're still trying to understand what we need to do: what games work, what incentives are effective, what resources are lacking. Some weeks are difficult, with the kids unwilling to cooperate with our activities.  Some weeks are so satisfying and rewarding, it feels like it should be a Kodak moment. I regret not capturing on film how Ruby, a four-year old girl who didn't have a Halloween costume, hopped down the stairs and grinned happily after we purchased a princess costume for her.

Along with a book drive to improve literacy and inspire imagination, the volunteers initiate activities intended to complement class lesson plans: math worksheets according to grade level, games about anatomy and health, memory games relating to US history, and craft projects.  Initially, there was a concern that the children would not regard the planned activities in a serious light.  But one such instance involving an eight year boy has rejected the notion that the children don't care.

Tejuan was attempting to solve a math worksheet at the 2nd grade level.  He discovered he missed several consecutive problems because he had misinterpreted the question.  His response was surprising and inspiring. Rather than dismissing his inaccuracy with indifference, he began to cry.

Heartbreaking as it was, it was rewarding to be reminded that a growing child, or any person, regardless of age, needs reassurance, comfort, and concern when facing obstacles.  This is what KIDS hopes to give them.  We hope to provide the resources, support, and encourage necessary for lifelong learning and academic success.

For more information on the KID program including how to get involved, please feel free to contact the Medical and Health Careers Program at mhcp@ucr.edu

Brian Lonquich traveled to Costa Rica through the Education Abroad Program (EAP). Below are comments on his experience:

"I participated in the Tropical Biology program in Costa Rica. Throughout the quarter I spent abroad I attended lectures in the tropical forest, cooked dinner with my Spanish professors, spent a week on a private research island, and learned about Costa Rican culture by living with homestay parents. My participation in the EAP program has undoubtedly been the most pivotal experience of my university tenure. My four month adventure through Central America has been a truly-life changing endeavor!"

Perveen Chattha is currently in Washington D.C. for a quarter through the UC-DC program. Read her comments below and check out the UC-DC class picture.

"I work for the Gender Public Advocacy coalition, which is a gender rights group. I am working on a project called GENIUS index (Gender Equality National Index for Universities and Schools). Our prime focus right now is to create the 2008 GENIUS index and what this requires is the completion of surveys from students/staff/faculty across the nation. I intern for GenderPAC, which works to ensure that classrooms, communities, and workplaces are safe for everyone to learn, grow and succeed whether or not they fit the expectations of masculinity or femininity."

Emilce Sanchez spent two weeks in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as a member of a medical team through International Service Learning (ISL). Read about her experiences abroad below:

"During the summer of 2005 I spent two weeks abroad in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as a member of a medical team through International Service Learning (ISL). The purpose of ISL is to simultaneously provide educational opportunities for students, from all majors, while providing services for medically underserved communities in developing countries. ISL offers multi-disciplinary health programs (medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, veterinary and public health) which provide medical service/learning activities as part of the normal itinerary for programs in Central America, Mexico, and Africa. There is no language requirement. The year-round trip dates vary in length (9 days to 2 weeks), which is ideal for quarter system students and financial aid is available.

I worked one-on-one with the physicians, provided direct hands-on patient care, and
volunteered as a Spanish Medical Interpreter during the ISL student-run health
clinics. This trip was the most influential experience during my undergraduate
years that helped me find my niche and passion for medicine. My future plans are to become a distinguished leader and physician by serving the medically underserved communities within the Latino community. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email with any questions or concerns you may have and/or would like to know more about my experience in Central America."

For more information, schedules and FAQ's please visit:

http://islonline.org/
Emilce Sanchez
2007-2008 UCR Campus Representative
esanc002@student.ucr.edu

Kumar Gandhi
2008-2009 UCR Campus Representative
kgand001@student.ucr.edu