Within just two years, ASK’s efforts have not only spread throughout countries of Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo,  Burundi, South Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, and Tanzania, but also across the globe in rural areas of Brazil and India, helping in over 30,000 cases. 

The impact of ASK extends far beyond the sheer number of cases we’ve supported or technology we’ve supplied—we have provided relief to victims of genocide, war, and conflict in DR Congo, provided aid and distributed timely information during the Ebola Outbreak of 2022, and help sustainably rebuild lives one-on-one in extreme scenarios.

In the war-torn regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, immersed in violence and conflict due to their history of past genocides, ASK has become a lifeline for many. These areas, often neglected and without sufficient medical infrastructure, present some of the most challenging healthcare scenarios. We have assisted with real-time emergency cases, providing critical support to victims of ongoing violence and the lingering effects of past atrocities. Our team of specialists has been instrumental in guiding local healthcare workers through complex medical emergencies, offering expertise in situations where every second counts, such as guiding the treatment of injuries from conflicts or the care for diseases exacerbated by the harsh living conditions in these regions. By empowering and endowing local healthcare workers with the knowledge and tools they need, ASK ensures that these previously untouched communities can sustainably save lives.

Throughout the fall and winter of 2022, ASK witnessed a surge in unease from both the clinics and the communities in Uganda regarding the current Ebola outbreak in their areas: doctors expressed their concerns about the lack of protocols and government-issued PPEs, while communities were reluctant to visit clinics in fear of nosocomial infection. Moreover, during this time, many cases were sent to ASK with questions regarding specific treatment for patients presenting symptoms of Ebola, such as muscle pain, headaches, diarrhea, and internal bleeding, further conveying the doctor’s unrest. It soon became evident that despite being in the hot zone of Ebola, little information was known about the rehabilitative actions from the Ugandan Ministry of Health or other organizations. Consequently, I sought out, synthesized, and dispersed information containing the location of official testing sites, new WHO-funded laboratories that recruited and trained staff for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Ebola, current knowledge on early signs, symptoms, and corresponding preventative measures, government-developed videos addressing how officials are confronting the Ebola Outbreak in Katanguru, Mbara, Biwindi, and Rushaga, and more, effectively establishing a catalog of information and resources amidst the terrifying reality of disease.

ASK’s mission extends beyond medical support, empowering and supporting at a personal level as well. In one of our emergency cases, we guided and provided input to doctors as they helped deliver a baby in an isolation ward, due to the risk of Ebola. After the procedure, I got in contact with the mother, and she told me of the struggles she had been facing. Her husband, an ambulance nurse dedicated to his emergency medical services, contracted Ebola while evacuating an infected patient. Initially mistaking his symptoms for malaria, he took the standard medication, but his condition did not improve, and by the time the correct diagnosis was made, it was too late: he tragically succumbed to the disease, leaving behind his pregnant wife and young child. Fortunately, after giving birth, both the mother and her newborn tested negative for Ebola, but despite their negative status, fear and misinformation about the virus led to her community rejecting her and her child, exacerbating her grief and leaving her without support. Jobless and shunned, she spiraled into depression. This is where ASK stepped in. We provided her with not only medical guidance but also crucial emotional support, and through our counseling, she found the strength to take initiative. She moved in with supportive relatives and secured a job in a private medical practice as a nurse, sustainably rebuilding and reclaiming her life.

With San Antonio being a major hub of immigrants and refugees within its diverse population, the need for easily accessible healthcare becomes even more critical in overcoming detrimental, non-medical drivers of health. Consequently, I hosted free health screening and educational events, made possible by our student volunteers, to close the gap in health inequity across San Antonio and surrounding suburban communities.

To continue making a difference, we need your support. We invite doctors to donate their time and expertise to help us manage cases. We seek student ambassadors to help expand our reach and raise awareness. And we rely on philanthropic individuals to donate funds, enabling us to extend our services to more communities in need. Together, we can empower local healthcare workers and save lives. Thank you for considering supporting ASK and joining us in our mission to create a healthier, more equitable world.