On summer vacations, Savanna Carson travels the world as a dedicated volunteer helping others in need...
She鈥檚 traveled the world from Thailand to Tanzania, but she鈥檚 no ordinary tourist. Savanna Carson, a senior biology-chemistry major, has gained more than just cultural experiences and global perspectives. Since she was 13, she has reached across borders to lend underprivileged people a helping hand.
Throughout her life, the Santa Paula resident has been taught by her parents to help others who are less fortunate. Through such volunteer organizations as the local Interface program, she has traveled to places such as Thailand, Spain, France, and Mexico, always with the goal of assisting people and their programs.
Two years ago, she went to Costa Rica as part of a Global Volunteers program to help with construction projects for local villages. 鈥淲e have so much in this country,鈥� Savanna says. 鈥淭here are so many people living in third world countries who don鈥檛 have even their basic needs met. We鈥檝e got to help. I realized that in Costa Rica. I realized how important it is that I do that.鈥�
Last year, she began looking for summer internships and heard about the Duke University Engineering World Health Program. Savanna was accepted and assigned to a hospital near Moshi, Tanzania, where she helped to maintain and repair medical equipment.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how much of the hospital equipment isn鈥檛 functioning鈥攂lood pressure machines, ultra-sound machines, monitors, you name it,鈥� Savanna said. 鈥淲e learned how to fix many of the problems. We got to the point where we knew what to look for and could figure it out. Our goal was to get the hospital to be sustainable, on its own, and to train the staff there to be on their own.鈥�
Back from her summer in Tanzania, Savanna says, 鈥淭his trip has really influenced my life, my outlook. There are so many problems in Africa, including the economy, AIDS, and malaria, one of the biggest problems. There are so many stereotypes. It鈥檚 a huge eye-opener to go there.
鈥淲hile we were working at the hospital, we saw three funerals a day. It鈥檚 just incredible. I know now that I have to go back, to continue to help them. I want to go back next summer, perhaps to assist a doctor.
鈥淪avanna is a once-in-a-lifetime student who is outstanding, and a caring individual who volunteers her time unselfishly in service on international causes,鈥� says Phil Hampton, professor of chemistry. 鈥淚 am honored to have had the opportunity to get to know her as a student and a colleague.鈥�
Hampton has helped Savanna with her education as well as her future career. She is currently considering work in public health or possibly as a physician鈥檚 assistant.
One thing is certain. Savanna Carson will likely be traveling again next summer, and for summers to come. You won鈥檛 often find her in a comfortable hotel. You鈥檒l see her among people. Right there. Helping out and making a difference.