Guatemala service trip an eye-opener for 11 PFW students

Sitelnaffer Souleimane will always remember the little girl in Guatemala who kept bringing her flowers after she picked them nearby.

“She would gently hand them to me and then walk away,” said Souleimane, a Purdue University Fort Wayne senior majoring in biology. “It was a small gesture, but it really stood out. It reminded me how even simple acts of kindness can make a lasting impression, and how meaningful these moments of connection can be.”

Souleimane was among 11 students who recently traveled to Guatemala as members of PFW’s MEDLIFE student organization to take part in a service project bringing medical care to remote areas. Established in 2020 as part of a national organization, the chapter’s purpose is to provide opportunities for pre-med and healthcare-interested students to learn more about the unmet needs in healthcare, while gaining hands-on experience. May’s trip lasted a week.

“The experience made me realize how privileged we are in the U.S., especially when it comes to healthcare access and basic resources like air conditioning and job opportunities,” said Saw Oo, a junior majoring in psychology. “Helping people who live on the equivalent of $1 a day was humbling and fulfilling.”

Along with Souleimane and Oo, the other students were Islam Mahamat, Lawee Mon, Eenroi Mon, Brady Gerardot, Amina Salam, RieAnn Krinn, Scott Shew, Alexandra Graf, and Wa Hee Dar. MEDLIFE at PFW teams with nonprofit organizations that partner with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve their medicine, education, and community development projects. Previous PFW trips have been to Lima, Peru, in 2020 and to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, last year.

“One of the highlights for me was getting to spend time with the kids,” Mahamat said. “Playing with them while they received the care they needed was truly special. This trip really opened my eyes to how fortunate I am, and it taught me to be more grateful for everything I have.”

Mahamat mentioned helping build a stove for one of the families. Souleimane said she was surprised how many women still cook over open fires inside their homes, constantly exposed to smoke, the equivalent of smoking two cigarette packs a day.

Several students said they signed up for this trip to be part of something bigger than themselves. They wanted to gain a deeper understanding of global health challenges and learn from the people they interacted with, not just serve them.

“We worked together seamlessly to meet the needs of the community,” Oo said. “The friendships and collaboration made the experience even more meaningful.”

The gratitude and strength of the people also made an impact, and students learned they were more adaptable than they suspected, whether adjusting to language barriers, unexpected delays, or stepping outside their comfort zones in isolated areas.

“This trip taught me so much about the power of collaboration,” Souleimane said. “It wasn’t just about what we did—it was about what we did with the community. That spirit of partnership, respect, and cultural exchange is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

For more information about the club, contact [email protected].