A group of Queens College students has taken their humanitarian efforts overseas.
Nineteen scholars boarded a plane to Nicaragua during their winter break for a nine-day mission to help the poor.
Volunteers assisted local doctors and dentists in San Gabriel in examining thousands of impoverished. They also showed residents, including children, how to properly brush their teeth and distributed vitamins as part of a worldwide initiative called “Global Brigades.”
“The experience opened my eyes to how people in poor parts of the world live,” said Darya Rubenstein, 22, of Flushing. “They have little food, old clothing, no health care. Most are illiterate. Yet they are so positive, with a true understanding of life.”
The students then traveled to El Limon, where they spent four days building houses, installing eco-friendly stoves, latrines and water storage units.
“It was humbling to see their living conditions,” said Mamadou Sire Bah, 20, of Jamaica.“I was more motivated than ever to become a doctor.”
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