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Introduction-- International Liaison
My name is Maya Liester, and I am a medical student in the United States pursuing a career in primary care with a focus on Lifestyle Medicine. I am passionate about preventing disease and improving my community’s health through lifestyle changes. One of the six core tenets of Lifestyle Medicine is social well-being — the idea that individual health depends on meaningful connections with our friends, family, and community. I extend this concept of social health to the global community, including my dear friends in Imbabura, Ecuador.
Ecuador holds a special place in my heart. My parents met there, I grew up considering Quechua friends to be my second family, and in 2023, I was fortunate enough to spend three weeks living in Ilumán Bajo. The 70-year-old woman who hosted me, whom I lovingly call Mamacita, is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. She spends her days cooking for…
Happy holidays to everyone! As part of Thanksgiving weekend here in the US, I want to take some time to reflect on the impact this fundraiser is having in Imbabura. As of November 26th, the Brigade has raised $1,300 to fund the recovery of the Kichwa people. This money has been used for antibiotics, to fund travel directly to patients' homes who do not have any access to transport, and to provide opportunities to the many people who still have bullets in their bodies to get them removed. I am very grateful for all the support this project has provided to the Brigade's efforts, and may there be more positive change for the Kichwa people to come!