Cameroon, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal or Morocco have been the summer destinations of several students from the University of Navarra who decided to dedicate their free time to help in the places that need it most. The students, who traveled thanks to the opportunity of high school of Tropical Health, gave talks on health and hygiene and oriented the population about different diseases. A great experience that, without a doubt, has left its mark on them.

Nora Yarnoz (Medical Student), Cameroon
"I think it is important to share my experience so that other students with the same concerns can enjoy such an unforgettable experience. I was with the NGO Zercaylejos that works with the Baka ethnic group. Our task was to give training on health to the Bantu population and the Baka to establish social equality, dealing with issues such as diarrhea, sexually transmitted diseases or alcohol, one of the main problems of this ethnic group. We also carried out numerous child health campaigns in the villages, as many of them were located in inaccessible areas with no possibility of going to a clinic".

Iñigo Gamboa (graduate at Biochemistry ) and Alberto Labiano (graduate in Biology), Mozambique
"We carried out various activities for the young people of the Marera school. We organized games, sports, but also classes, usually on biology or basic Biochemistry and hygiene issues staff, although they took the opportunity to ask questions about everything subject. We always tried to orient them in a positive way about diseases; we wanted to create awareness that they are there, that there is a risk, but that there are basic ways to reduce their impact. The ISTUN initiative is an unbeatable opportunity because we were able to bring the knowledge about neglected diseases and their prevention, which are especially prevalent in underdeveloped areas where they are a real problem on a daily basis".

Inés Barragán, María Luisa Bayo; Annie Weber and Graça Varão (Medical Students), Nepal
"At Kanti Children's Hospital, we worked alongside a team of doctors from the pediatric hospital and spent enquiry with them. Resources were limited: X-rays were read against the light from the windows, medical reports were handwritten, and urine samples were taken in plastic cups. Despite the conditions, the doctors had a very human approach in which they valued having a close contact with the patient and without the fear of touching the patient that we can have in the West. We learned that medicine is not the same everywhere, because each area has different pathogens and also different diseases due to the poor conditions and scarce resources they have there".  

Paula Martínez de Aguirre (Pharmacy student), Morocco
“Cuando se hace voluntariado, y especialmente si es con niños, lo que tú hagas, la ayuda que prestes, no es nada en comparación con lo que recibes. En la Casa de las Misioneras de la Caridad en Tánger, la labor principal de la Misión era la acogida de madres embarazadas, así como un servicio de guardería para que las madres solteras pudiesen trabajar. Les ayudábamos con el armario de medicinas, repartiendo los medicamentos y realizando pequeñas curas a los niños. Se trata de una iniciativa que ofrece la oportunidad de formarse en el servicio, ser conscientes de la responsabilidad de ser buenos profesionales, y ser capaces de dar una utilidad a los conocimientos adquiridos”.