Each week we bring you the story and perspective of one of our outstanding Brigaders. This week, meet Mariam Astarabadi, a Medical Brigades volunteer from the University of California, Irvine who recently participated in a Medical Brigade in Honduras.
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As one of the Vice Presidents for Global Medical Brigades at the University of California, Irvine, I have been fortunate enough to travel to Honduras twice these past two years in order to provide medical and dental care to those in need. I will also be heading to Ghana later this year with our Medical Brigade to continue making sustainable changes in rural communities.
During our brigade this past March, we were fortunate enough to visit the home of a family living in Santa Rosa #1. This particular family highlighted the differences in living standards in my community compared to those I interacted with in Honduras. It was not the first time I had seen people living in such challenging living conditions; however, this particular 
experience left a big impression on me. The family we visited had six people living in their tiny home, which consisted of just one room with two beds and a latrine outside. Regardless of those conditions, the family had an inspiring work ethic and commitment to friends and family. I compare their living situation to those of the average American and cannot help but think that they are just as deserving of any of the amenities we have here in the United States. It was striking to see how positive their outlook on life was when they were faced with economic challenges.
Leaving Honduras and coming home becomes more difficult each trip I take with Global Medical Brigades at UC Irvine. I made sure to advise our first-time brigaders to hang on to who they were in Honduras. It is far too easy for us to fall back into our old ways as soon as we come back home. The opportunities we have been blessed with give us the power to make a constructive impact on these underprivileged communities. My experience in Honduras has helped me grow as a person because now I know not to complain when I’m faced with hardships. I am lucky enough to be able to eat when I am hungry, to sleep when I am tired, and to actually be bored because I don’t have to spend all of my time working to get some food on the table. My experience with Global Brigades has truly opened my eyes and inspired me to continue visiting less fortunate countries to make sustainable changes.
