On February 9, senior Alayna Kent embarked on a mission trip to Mexico. On this trip she not only helped to save lives, but found herself changed as well.
Over two decades ago, an elder at West Cannon Baptist church started a medical outreach program called International Medical Assistance (IMA) that allows volunteers, like Kent, to help people in need of medical assistance.
“IMA provides general surgery for free to Mayan and Mexican people in villages of Yucatan by setting up surgical suites in churches, warehouses, and businesses,” Kent said.
Top middle: From left to right, Alayna with Carrie and Melissa Kent.
Alayna helps in a medical clinic to assist with surgeries. She helped with a scope, stitches, and injections. Photos courtesy of Melissa Kent.
Dual-enrolled at Kent ISD with Ferris State University, Kent received her CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) certification. She was able to use what she learned in that program to help doctors perform surgeries and assist patients.
On this trip, she not only helped to save lives but she also had the
“We stood in the operating room for hours each day and I never once got tired of it,” Kent said. “It’s as if time was standing still.”
Kent has known she wanted to enter into medicine since she was young, but this experience helped her to confirm that this is the path she wants to be on for the rest of her life.
“It really cemented into my mind my desire to be a nurse, there is so much need out there that I will be able to meet one day,” Kent said.
