Upon arrival to Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines, captured by infinite fields of sugar cane embedded by banana trees and dramatic skies, I felt peace. The captivating landscape took me back to Panama and on the bus, while listening to Ruben Blades, I reflected on all I have learned and grown while volunteering for Smile Train […]
Tag Archives: GSK PULSE Volunteers
August
06
Cali2Philly: My Favorite Day
posted by cali2philly
Rewind to a few weeks ago… As I sit here down the shore (New Jersey, I’m a local now) escaping the triple digit extra high humidity of Philly, my friends are asking about the latest group of photos I posted. I got the biggest smile on my face because this day brought me so much […]
July
22
Cancer under the Canopy
posted by Tony
Imagine if you were ill but your condition was never diagnosed. How would you feel if a loved-one was dying of cancer, but you couldn’t afford their treatment? Many Liberians will never know if they have cancer and those who are diagnosed are faced with an almost impossible problem to fund their treatment in one […]
July
19
Cali2Phily: My intro to food deserts…
posted by cali2philly
This concept was one I wasn’t familiar with until I moved to Philadelphia to start my assignment. Food deserts are defined as parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy […]
July
12
Cebu and Batangas…smiles, jeepneys and tricycles
posted by ingrid
Its been 10 days since I started with the team here at Smile Train Philippines and field trips have being a must for me to start understanding the organization´s model, mission, ways of working and challenges. I have felt welcomed, and I’ve received the most beautiful smiles from patients, families and the partner hospitals and […]
January
20
Part 6: I did it!
posted by Corinne Jumel
This is my last week before the end of my mission, it’s been almost 190 days since the beginning of this PULSE adventure! C’est ma dernière semaine avant la fin de ma mission, cela fait presque 190 jours depuis le début de cette aventure PULSE! This week is a crucial week that will close the […]
December
19
Part 5: Final Stretch…the verdict!
posted by Corinne Jumel
This is my last straight before my return to GSK land! But before that I will leave from 7th to January 13th in Benin in Cotonou to test the training material that I developed! I am both, impatient and anxious about the result ! C’est ma dernière ligne droite avant mon retour chez GSK land, ! […]
August
09
Part 3: …and suddenly everything is accelerating!
posted by Corinne Jumel
You remember, I left you with this question: “Why am I here? What about now, after 40 days, since the beginning, including 26 days working at the IFRC? Vous vous souvenez, je vous avais laissé avec cette question : « pourquoi suis-je là ? » Qu’en est-il maintenant après 40 jours depuis le début, dont 26 jours de travail à la […]
July
14
First impressions
posted by louiselittlefair
Karibu! So luckily the two infamous suitcases did close and my flight to Dar Es Salaam was gloriously uneventful. I’ve been to some pretty chaotic airports before (Delhi and La Paz come to mind) but nothing could prepare me for Dar Es Salaam airport. I managed to get my way through immigration and to baggage […]
July
06
Part 2: Why Am I Here?
posted by Corinne Jumel
Some thoughts after the first week! Quelques reflexions au bout de la première semaine! After 2 weeks vacation sailing between Corsica and Sardinia, I was ready to start my PULSE Assignment, full of energy and impatient…Of course it was a big contrast, jumping from the middle of the sea to IFRC in Geneva! Après 2 semaines […]
June
13
Part 1 : When I met the PULSE family in London!
posted by Corinne Jumel
Few weeks after the confirmation of being a 2018 Pulse Volunteer it was scheduled to attend a PULSE Orientation Training at GSK House in London on MAY 15-17! Quelques semaines après la confirmation d’être une bénévole de Pulse 2018, il était prévu de suivre une formation d’orientation PULSE à la GSK House de Londres les […]
June
06
Preface: When did my PULSE journey begin?
posted by Corinne Jumel
The adventure started when I receipt the mail of GSK News on 30 November 2017. After reading information on Pulse Volunteer Partnership it has been like an evidence! I sent immediately an email to Nienke Mulder as indicated to obtain more information. A few days later, I did inform my line manager about my interest […]
June
05
The start of a brand new adventure
posted by elizabellegsk
As I sat in my hotel room near GSK House, preparing for the PULSE training that would begin the next morning, so many different emotions ran through my head. I was jet lagged, excited, nervous, hopeful, and anxious to meet the group. What would they be like? What would the training be like? Would I […]
September
06
Where is home
posted by manishburman
In only the first two months of my Pulse assignment I have felt more sets of emotions than I felt in the last two years. Working for CHAI has been refreshing, fulfilling and an enriching experience. I came here with unknown expectations and to say that it has exceeded my expectations will be an understatement. […]
December
19
What a Journey it has been…
posted by Mark Roderick Vito
Exactly six months today since I started my Pulse journey in the Kingdom of Swaziland. I have never imagined how much I would benefit in this most amazing experience of my life and the impact that I can make to the people. I believe Pulse shapes my heart, my mind, and my soul completely, gives […]
