Utsav Bansal
Location:
Rochester, USA
University: University of Pittsburgh
Regions of interest: Asia, Latin America
Skills: teaching, health, fundraising, first aid, work with children
Volunteer Activity:
Helping Hands June 01, 2011 - August 01, 2011
Helping Hands Pharmacy June 01, 2011 - August 01, 2011
Stories by this Volunteer
Progress Report!
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
August 18, 2011
In coming to Peru, I had three main objectives: (1) To help the people of Patron San Sebastian in Los Nogales, Cusco, (2) Spread the word about Omprakash, and (3) To have fun at the same time.During my two month stay with Helping Hands, the volunteers and I were able to accomplish a lot. Our goal was to not only volunteer at El Jardin San Gabriel, the amazing kindergarten that was started by Rosa & Mario, but also to think outside of the box and see how we can really get Helping Hands's name out there and really benefit the school and the community. Once I got on the ground in Peru, I realized what we were up against. Most of the members in our community didn't know about the...
Our Plan of Attack!
Helping Hands Pharmacy, by Utsav Bansal
July 30, 2011 | 1 comment
While the parents went to visit the doctors, I decided to go through the pharmacy and see what medications would we be able to give the families to treat Giardia. After narrowing it down to a few options, I spoke with the doctor to confirm what the best options are and figured out a treatment plan.With only a few days left with Helping Hands, I spoke with Rosa and Mario to see the best way to treat the families once I am gone. We decided that the best thing to do would be to write up a plan of the changes needed to be made in the house, detailing practical ways that the parents can make the changes. For example, the parents should boil tap water before using it to cook...
Medical Visit Donation for the Parents!
Helping Hands Pharmacy, by Utsav Bansal
July 30, 2011
After talking with the parents and explaining the conditions of their child, I realized the importance of sending them to the doctor too. Most of the children suffer from Giardia, which could easily be passed on among family members.At first, we didn't know where the funds were going to come from. We had already allotted the funds from the San Francisco table and The Lek party that the volunteers put together, which raised over 1000 soles.After speaking with director the Fairplay organization, John Adriaenssens, he generously donated to cover all medical costs of the families. With this in hand, I started sending parents to the doctor, telling them they had one week (from July 11 to 15) to take all of their family members to get a consultation, fecal test,...
Pharmacy License
Helping Hands Pharmacy, by Utsav Bansal
July 30, 2011
I am very much looking forward to getting the license for the Helping Hands- Farmacia Amistad Pharmacy so we can officially open our doors to the public. I spoke with the Director of Medicine in Cusco and also the Pharmacy School to possibly get a discount since we are looking to help the poor of Patron San Sebastian and not earn a profit off of our sales.After sending emails back and forth with the school to see if they can help us, there has been some progress. The director of the school is aware of our project and is currently looking for a student or group of students who would be willing to help us with our cause.Although we haven't gotten the license yet, I am going to continue communicating with them...
Plaza de San Francisco Mesa!
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
July 30, 2011
The table at San Francisco was a huge success. Not only were we able to make people aware of our project, but with the money we raised, we were able to afford so much for the families. Here is a breakdown of our achievements:July 20: 117 soles ($43 USD)July 27: 86 soles ($32 USD)July 8: 107 soles ($39 USD)Total: 310 soles ( $114 USD)With this money, we were able to start a business for Anthony's family. We bought his mom "pasto" (food for guinea pigs) that people can buy and she can earn much profit. We also bought her a guinea pig cage with which she can raise guinea pigs and sell them once full grown.We were also able to buy Rocio's family a chicken cage with which they can...
The Medical Results
Helping Hands Pharmacy, by Utsav Bansal
July 30, 2011
During the third week of June after all the students were checked and we had all of the results in hand, I decided it was important to meet with all the parents. They needed to know the status of their children, but more importantly, I had to tell them the changes that needed to be done in the household to prevent further issues.About 95% of the students had a parasite called Giardia and about 80% percent suffered from anemia. I made a list of possible ways the students could have gotten Giardia and how basic changes in the house can prevent a reoccurence.We met with Class 5 parents first and first of all gave them overall view of the students as a whole and what exactly are Giardia and anemia. After, I told...
Collecting Donated Items!
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
July 30, 2011
During the holiday on Wednesday, June 29th, we decided to go out into the neighborhoods and make people aware of the Helping Hands Project. We knocked on doors, talked about the project, and asked if they were willing to make any donations to help the needy of Patron San Sebastian. We asked for any food, clothing, or toys the families do not use and told the families we would return on Saturday to pick up the donations.On Saturday, July 2 we went around with Mega shopping carts and were met with much success. The families gave bags full of shoes, pants, jackets,... and the list goes on. After sorting through all the donations, we distrubuted all the clothes and food and the families were amazingly thankful. We are making plans...
The Third Week
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
June 21, 2011
We have made amazing progress on many fronts. Last week, Professor Rosa Gutierrez and I went to the Pharmacy School to see how they can help us start our pharmacy. We spoke with the Director of Medical Health of Cusco and she is willing to help us get the necessary license for a discounted price! Now we are just waiting for a pharm student who is interested in our project to contact us soon so that we can get the paperwork started.In addition, with the help of volunteer Barbara Heider, we got a banner made and flyers ready for our first tabling session in the Plaza de San Francisco. Yesterday was our first day and we raised approximately 118 soles, which is about $42 in two hours! 118 soles would...
Week 2!
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
June 13, 2011
After elections on June 5th and the holiday on June 6th, we took both classes to visit Dr. Champita Itinerante, who is stationed in front of El Mercado de Los Nogales until the end of July.We stapled the permission slip to each of their folders on Friday so that their parents could sign it and give it back to us when school resumed on Tuesday, June 7th. The parents very readily gave permission for us to take their children to the doctor and many even accompanied us to the doctor.Once we went to the doctor, he advised that all the students get blood and fecal tests done and luckily we already had permission from the parents.We have gotten most of the results back, made copies, and now are in the...
The First Week!
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
June 04, 2011 | 2 comments
I can´t believe a week has already flown by. Cusco is an amazing city and offers a great balance between volunteering and sightseeing. There is so much to see and so much volunteer work that can be done that I don´t think I could have chosen a better place.AND the project is looking great. In the past month, Helping Hands has been able to start serving breakfast, built a bathroom, and so much more.This past week, I volunteered in the school mostly to understand how exactly I can help, what areas need the most work, and the best way to begin the medical campaigns...And we are starting this coming week! Starting Tuesday, June 7, we are taking both classes to visit a local doctor who will perform a comprehensive examination...
Walmart
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
May 19, 2011
In trying to get the Rochester community involved, I spoke with the head of Donations at Walmart in Rochester and explained to her what Omprakash is all about and the immense need in Cuzco, Peru. After telling her was volunteering abroad and looking for donations, she graciously provided me with a gift card to go shopping with!I bought some bubble sticks, school supplies, and a few other clothes. One week till departure!
InterVol Donations
Helping Hands Pharmacy, by Utsav Bansal
May 19, 2011
While Global Links in Pittsburgh, PA gave me a lot of medical supplies to bring with me to Cuzco, Peru, there was still some things that were missing- blood pressure pumps, bandages, alcohol preps, antibiotic ointments...I met with InterVol manager, Jonathan Reilly, in Rochester, NY and he was able to give me another set of donations of all the necessary supplies! I volunteered for two hours, helping sort all the materials, and gave me the opportunity to take whatever was necessary for the trip!Medical supplies are all taken care of. Now onto clothing...
Rochester City Youth Council
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
May 19, 2011
I have been speaking with the Rochester City Youth Council (Youth Voice, One Vision) for the past couple of weeks and finally had the chance to attend one of their meetings last Thursday, May 12.I spoke to them on how they can help not only Helping Hands, but also the Omprakash network. They are interested in volunteering with Omprakash in the future but for now, we are looking at establishing a partnership!They are working on getting clothes donations from the Rochester City Schools and are going to help me get the word out about Omprakash.
Donations!
by Utsav Bansal
May 04, 2011
In preparing for this summer, I have been gathering many donations. I just received between $300-500 in medical supplies and a box of clothing donated by the University of Pittsburgh's Residence Life Department.I am also hoping to receive donations of school supplies from city schools in Rochester, New York and am talking with the Rochester City Youth Council how we can set up boxes of school supplies at the various schools.More to come...
Increasing the Omprakash Network in Pittsburgh, PA
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
May 04, 2011
As a student at the University of Pittsburgh, I have been raising awareness of the Omprakash Network around campus. I have posted flyers throughout with a few of my friends and have gotten a great response. I have gotten quite a few people come up to me and say they are excited to join the Omprakash network in the future!In addition to flyers, I also met with a few undergraduate medical groups who may be interested in volunteering abroad. I spoke with POMS (Premedical Organization for Minority Students) and sent information to all AMSA members and more. I am also in the process of adding a blurb about Omprakash to the weekly newsletters that many departments send out.Once I graduate, I am also going to focus on my hometown Rochester,...
My progress thus far...
Helping Hands, by Utsav Bansal
May 04, 2011
I am very much looking forward to volunteering with Helping Hands & the Helping Hands Pharmacy this upcoming summer! I will be arriving May 26, 2011 and will be leaving July 25, 2011.During my stay, I can't wait to get involved in various initiatives. I want to help teach and work with the students at the Helping Hands School, while also continue the garden efforts and more. With the pharmacy initiative, I will help manage inventory and operations, travel within the community to raise awareness of the project, establish relationships with residents and area doctors, and more!Also, Lacey Worel, a current volunteer with Helping Hands, is connecting me with medical volunteers so I may help in their initiatives also!...