Tatiana Cruzado

For most students at Charter, Memorial Hospitals are located remotely close to them in Miramar and Pembroke Pines if needed. If stitches, medicine, or even an evaluation for a check-up is needed, it is granted at the hands of the patients. On the contrary, some countries don’t acquire that same luxury as others and ourselves in the United States do. Children, elders, and adults in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are just among the 63 countries in need of those helping hands. Doctors Without Borders is a club right here in the heart of Charter that will fundraise and extend their hands to make sure others globally receive humanitarian aid.

Many global service clubs meet in the Charter classrooms to open the eyes of students while making a change. Doctors Without Borders is now joining in to extend assistance where it is needed. Both juniors, president, Mandisha De, and board member, Kayla Agudelo have their eyes locked on the primary focus of this organization. “Our mission is to help medical officials around the globe and help provide humanitarian assistance to the people who need it the most,” expresses Mandisha, as she and Kayla indulge in their excitement regarding the club. 

Doctors Without Borders brings a unique feel to the Charter environment that comes with several surprising elements. The history behind this organization actually doesn’t start or even include any high school, but only colleges. That was until Ms. Schwab, the club sponsor, had a say in it.

She strongly explains her passion for the humanitarian cause, sharing, “At first they said no to us, but I don’t like no. So, I said ‘Well, it’s fine. Can’t we just pair up and actually just work together to help fundraise and support a college club?’ So, that’s kind of what we are looking at now.” With such an organization like helping doctors potentially change the factors of lives around the world, Doctors Without Borders wouldn’t take no for an answer. 

While it may seem as if this organization only benefits the doctors and patients around the world, that is the opposite. Doctors Without Borders gives students at Charter a chance to go beyond their comfort zone and step into a world of healthcare, medicine, and humanitarian work. How this happens is through direct communication between the members of the club and the doctors. When talking about the impacts beyond just changing the world one step at a time, Ms. Schwab expresses, “The students that are interested in the medical field and want to pursue it will learn a lot from this experience. They’ll be able to meet and talk to some of the doctors virtually. Hopefully, that can be something that can inspire a kid and bring them down that medical path.”

Speaking on the future of the club, Mandisha, spoke of the history that Doctors Without Borders could make in the United States. While reminding herself and Kayla, Mandisha spoke on the topic of this club being one of the few high schools that have this program. “We are looking at FIU considering that they’re the most accessible for everyone. I’ve already emailed their Doctors Without Borders chapter which is exciting because if we partnered up with them we would be the first high school in Florida to do that.” Mandisha spoke with determination to accomplish this goal, while proving that it is possible to go beyond those ‘borders’. 

Doctors Without Borders will introduce a new chapter to Charter, as it begins its history this year. Extending resources, helping hands, and support to doctors and countries in need makes all the difference. While being part of the bigger picture, Doctors Without Borders will prevail against the odds and shine a light on people’s lives around the globe.