Young Variety brings a new tradition of caring to the young professionals in our local community. They are an energized group of individuals who are committed to supporting Variety's mission of providing life-saving and life-enriching assistance to children in need.

Young Variety is dedicated to extending the impact of Variety as a whole. Its members are committed to sharing their spirit, talent, and wealth of information, as well as encouraging the ongoing involvement of other young professionals. It is vital to keep this organization growing so that we can continue to do our work for many generations to come.

Through fundraisers, after school programs, charity events, and many other volunteer opportunities, Young Variety members contribute much needed time and money to local area children.

Our new Young Variety/Campus Program- Marquette University is involved in global medical relief in Honduras.  In January they provided essential medical support to over 2,600 people in this impoverished South American country.  If you're interested in Young Variety, please email us.

 

 

Global Medicical Brigade Trip 2008

January 5th to 12th 2008, Young Variety’s Marquette University Global Medical Brigades (GMB) traveled to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to set up free medical clinics in impoverished rural communities. GMB conducted brigades in five separate communities, providing medical care for approximately 1,700 people. GMB will also be assessing community needs for a Global Business Brigade project, helping a poor coffee growing community develop their infrastructure and form a co-op that will be capable of shipping coffee into North America.

Twenty-seven Marquette University students and fourteen medical and support professionals participate in the trip including Dr. Toby Peters, a Variety board member. Located in the heart of Central America between Guatemala and Nicaragua, Honduras is known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm people.

Unfortunately, it’s also widely believed to be one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The people of Honduras have little access to healthcare, social services, education, or even proper sanitation. The cycle of poverty often seems hopeless and the need for intervention and support most urgent.

The Marquette-Young Variety chapter of GMB is only part of a much larger grassroots organization of college students and church groups that work with the Honduras-based charity Sociedad Amigos de los Niños in order to provide on-going care for over 100,000 people every year. Perhaps the most important aspect of the trip is the work GMB does with the children in the communities served. Over half the patients treated are children. GMB assists Sociedad in fighting common childhood illnesses like malnourishment, parasitic infections, and tooth decay. Children receive toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and every child takes home a toy. When GMB is not on brigades, the students visit orphanages to play with young children who do not often have the opportunity to experience one-on-one attention.

Ryan Hayes, student president of the Marquette GMB, provides an indication of the students’ commitment to this effort. “It is always sad to leave the children behind but we look forward to watching the children’s health and education improve with every visit.”

Dr. Peters notes, “The students embrace the opportunity to help the communities we serve. Through this experience, their passion to serve, be it domestic or international, is magnified exponentially.”