Ellie Plata
Guess what?! Ellie's volunteering in Nepal during October 2025!
I'm stoked to have been accepted as a volunteer on the 'Nurses in Action' program with World Youth International (WYI). A team of health professionals and I will be providing primary healthcare to communities living in extreme poverty. This involves working in one of the largest government hospitals in central Nepal, as well as working with communities in remote villages to provide education and primary healthcare. Not only this, but also providing health promotion and education to schools, supporting staff in existing health facilities and running a free medical camp, where we're expected to treat 100-500 people! I'm so excited to immerse myself in this experience and push myself outside my comfort zone.
Having immigrant parents who came from a third world country, I learnt from a young age the importance of a strong work ethic. Despite not having much, my family were so generous and always worked hard to provide for their families back home. Similarly, in my nursing career I have been able to help patients that come to ED, although I've been yearning to help people in a more impactful way.
As some of you may know, I am passionate about cultural awareness and safety as well as health equity. Having the opportunity to provide healthcare and education to less advantaged communities will be truly fulfilling. I think I will be actually proud to call myself a nurse after participating in this rewarding program.
Donating will not only help communities and schools in Nepal, but also in Kenya! (WYI are awesome and built a hospital there). Your contributions help the longterm sustainability of these projects and allow the continuation of healthcare provision for those who need it most. All donations big or small are deeply and genuinely appreciated, not only by me but the communities who will continue to benefit.
Don't worry I'll keep y'all posted, I probably won't stop talking and posting about it so stay tuned. Thank you thank you thank you again! Be prepared for Ellie's endless gratitude.
Nepal
Though most visitors come to Nepal to experience the majestic Himalayas, these people tend to see only the small areas that receive considerable economic benefits from tourism. One simply needs to step behind the backdrop of the beautiful mountain scenery and into the remote regions of Nepal to learn that much of the population lives in poverty. In spite of substantial external development assistance, Nepal remains one of the least developed countries in the world. High disease prevalence, low adult literacy rates, natural disasters, food security and availability problems and high rates of child malnutrition are just a few of the challenges the Nepali people face on a daily basis. This is where members of our volunteer programs can make a lasting impact.
Nurses in Action
The Nurses in Action (NIA) Program is a unique, powerful and immersive experience held over 3-4 weeks which allows nurses and allied health professionals of all ages to provide primary healthcare services to people living in remote communities.
The NIA Program runs in Kenya and Nepal with the objective of building local capacity in improving health services to rural communities (such as at the Odede Community Health Centre in Kenya), and offering healthcare to communities living in extreme poverty who would not be able to access it otherwise (such as earthquake-affected communities in Nepal).
NIA Volunteers work in local medical clinics and hospitals as well as on Community Outreach Programs and Medical Camps, alongside local staff and community members.
