Democracy Prep student, To’Niya Arzu, will be honored as FIBUSPAM’s Student Ambassador of the year at our 2018 fundraising event in Connecticut.

To’Niya and 39 of her classmates from Democracy Prep Endurance and Harlem Prep High Schools traveled to Ecuador in February to volunteer with FIBUSPAM and to explore the beauty and culture in Ecuador as part of the Democracy Prep Public Schools’ Global Citizens Program. In addition to helping FIBUSPAM provide medical care to over 500 children and adults in rural Ecuador, To’Niya and her group helped refurbish a school for the disabled children. The group also found time to go horseback riding and white water rafting. Here is what To’Niya had to say about her experience:

My Ecuadorian Experience

By To’Niya Arzu

Traveling to Ecuador was an amazing and wonderful experience. I’ve never been out of the country before and this was my first time. I never thought I would be one out of many students that would be able to get this opportunity. I am a humble person who loves helping the world and my community out. This is the first time I ever stepped out of my comfort zone. I’m usually under my mother’s wing of protection but I always have to remember that she won’t always be there. I wish we could’ve stayed longer to be able to help more people out there. There were so many people out there who needed more medical help. This experience showed me that I need to be grateful for what I have now and stop worrying about the bad things.

Why you may ask? Because we have it all good here while they’re suffering from the sun, even from diseases out there in Ecuador. While I was in Ecuador I got to understand much more that we need to stop pushing people away and come together as one. In Ecuador all they have is each other to fall back on they don’t even have enough food like that such as meat. All they have to eat is mostly vegetables. The needed a lot of help out there. Being out there was breathtaking I got to be with kids and even play with them or just even got to sit down and try to talk to them and even teach them how to speak English. They treat each other as family no matter what they care for each other.We even got to buy groceries for families that really needed it even though they all needed it we gave to families they have many kids and even babies.To see the smiles on their faces was enough for me to know that I did my part when I was there making one change and growth in heart at a time.

This trip was not just for having fun but also helping out there community. Even though the first day we all got sick we still fought to try and help them out in order for them to get the help they really needed. I got sick while working I had to go to the bus for a while I took a walk and then I got back to work by helping out cleaning. That was our first day, our second day was much better we got to help out more people while also getting to play some games with kids. Not only that but we got to show them some cool dance moves we even show them songs we listen to and dance to as well.The third day was so fun we got to help paint the school for the kids so they can have a nice place to learn they should at least have that since there only able to get one day of learning at school.Which is sad because we get to have many days to go to school to learn and we take advantage of that sometimes.

After all that we got time to relax and have fun. We got to go sightseeing and everything we even climbed up the church to see the overview of the city.It was fun but scary for me because i’m afraid of heights. But i’m so proud of myself for overcoming my fears and being able to climb. We got to go to the hot water springs that was my first time I go to do that. We did that and we all got into to the pool as well. Going shopping and seeing the streets of Quito was amazing. Our last day was kind of sad we had to say bye to our tour guide and Mrs.Sarah. They were both amazing I hope that One day Mrs.Sarah and our tour guide comes to visit us.I hope that one day I will be able to go back and help out more than what I did already. Helping people is part of my nature and I love that about me and I hope thats what others love about me as well.

 

 

FIBUSPAM is delighted to announce a $5,000 grant from the Eos Foundation to support FIBUSPAM’s general operations. This grant was made to honor the work of Dr. David and Mrs. Jennifer Silbert who have supported FIBUSPAM’s mission over the last five years.

Together with their staff and volunteers, Dr. and Mrs. Silbert have provided vision screenings to over 5,000 Ecuadorian children in need and prescribed and distributed over 1,000 pairs of glasses. In addition, Dr. Silbert has helped complete over two dozen bro-bono strabismus surgeries at our clinic in Riobamba.

We thank Dr. Silbert for his easy-going attitude and ability to perform complex clinical ophthalmology exams in the most basic conditions. He and his team travel to the most remote communities in Ecuador and erect mobile clinics in dusty abandoned structures or old community buildings atop muddy fields. Despite the dreary working conditions, he has never complained and treats each child as if he were providing medical care to one of his own daughters.

Dr. Silbert also brings technical depth and breadth to our pediatric ophthalmology program, taking time to explain new concepts to our staff and providing training to our local ophthalmologist.

We thank Mrs. Silbert for advocating for each child she encounters. She is always willing to screen another dozen children no matter how late they arrive. She gives a voice to children who have no support and has been known to track down parents in order to explain complex diagnosis and get them on a treatment plan as soon as possible. There is no obstacle too great for Jennifer when it comes to caring for these children.

FIBUSPAM is grateful for the Silberts’ continued support of our mission and we are thankful to the Eos Foundation for this fitting way to honor this unique couple.

The mission of the Eos Foundation is to break the cycle of poverty by investing in children’s futures. You can learn more about the Eos Foundation at http://eosfoundation.org/.

Ophthalmologist Dr. David Silbert, MD FAAP graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and completed his medical training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Silbert specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric and adult strabismus, amblyopia (lazy eye), tear drain obstruction and other pediatric eye diseases. He also specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery as well as orbital surgery, minimally invasive tear drainage surgery for adults and has extensive experience using a Fractionated CO2 laser for blepharoplasty and laser resurfacing to tighten skin and remove wrinkles. He currently owns and operates Conestoga Eye in Lancaster, PA where he practices pediatric ophthalmology.

Mrs. Jennifer Beeders SIlbert is the owner and Principal of Silbert Fundraising, a successful fundraising, and leadership development consulting firm. Prior to establishing Silbert Fundraising, Jennifer Silbert worked as a political consultant to Fortune 500 companies for more than 10 years in Washington, D.C. in the arena of corporate relations, management consulting, and political strategic planning. In March of 2002, Jennifer was recognized for her entrepreneurial skills and community service when Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker and the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development named her as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business for 2002. Jennifer has a master’s degree in Business Administration from George Washington University.

You can learn more about Dr. David and Mrs. Jennifer Silbert at http://www.conestogaeye.com/ or http://www.silbertfundraising.com/.

You can make a tax deductible contribution to the Trek Coalition Medical Mission by clicking here.

 

In July of 2017 FIBUSPAM will welcome the Trek Coalition who will help us provide medical care to undeserved communities in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador.

The Trek Coalition is a budding non-profit organization that provides comprehensive medical care to underdeveloped societies around the globe through engaging US-based medical volunteers in life-changing travel and volunteer experiences.

The Trek Coalition will provide essential medical care and physical therapy to no less than 700 patients living in poverty in remote communities in Ecuador. The majority of patients that they will serve are subsistence farmers who live off of just a few dollars a day, without basic necessities and indoor plumbing. They have little to no access to medical care and are in desperate need of support.

FIBUSPAM is delighted to partner with Trek and is much looking forward to a successful mission in July.

You can make a tax deductible contribution to the Trek Coalition Medical Mission by clicking here.

 

Democracy Prep student, Tiffany Challenger, was honored as FIBUSPAM’s Student Ambassador of the year at our 2017 fundraising event in Connecticut.

Tiffany and 19 of her classmates traveled to Ecuador in February of 2017 to volunteer with FIBUSPAM and to explore the beauty and culture in Ecuador. In addition to helping FIBUSPAM provide medical care to over 150 children and adults in a rural community, Tiffany and her group helped install handicap ramps at a school for the disabled. The group also found time to go horseback riding and white water rafting. Here is what Tiffany had to say about her experience:

 

My Ecuadorian Experience

by Tiffany Challenger

Why should we volunteer? Volunteering allows an individual to make a positive impact on his or her community, while empowering the individual to make their life a little bit better. From the clinic to the local school, I truly value my experience and treasure everything volunteering at Fibuspam has taught me. Volunteering lets me experience and learn things that I would not have learned; volunteering opens doors for me that I may not have been able to open before. Being a typical New Yorker, I was brought up to lock my doors and watch my back, even in broad daylight. Who had time to help others?

On the first day of volunteer work, I was really observant about my surroundings. I saw all kinds of people in the clinic who had all of their belongings with them and even some who had their whole entire family with them. It made me contemplate my own life. What would I do if that happened to me; if I had no one to turn to for care? It had happened to these people. It made me see that even if it did, there were people who would help me too. And it made my job worthwhile.

On my first day of volunteering in the clinic, I had no idea what to expect and was a little unsure but after a few hours volunteering I left the clinic feeling like a completely different person. My mother even told me that I had a certain glow about me when I got home and that I had changed somehow. It’s true. I felt better, almost renewed, like I was breathing fresh new air.

On the second day of volunteer work, we worked in a school. My job was to play with the little kids and just spend quality time with them. I can honestly say that I’ve never met such eager and friendly kids. Although I got sick that morning, they welcomed me almost instantly, and I felt right at home. They made me laugh, they made me smile, but most importantly, they made me want to come back.

This trip has totally changed my perspective on life. There are kids my age who complain about repetitive things like boyfriends or girlfriends, but I have seen people with real problems that can’t be fixed with a phone call.

 

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.