Who is Avi Kerendian and some of his accomplishments: GGHTx is on a mission in changing lives through the power of global health. “Gracias” Global Health Trips, otherwise known as GGHTx, is a global health-oriented nonprofit organization/NGO that brings together young volunteers from medical and dental backgrounds to aid in intensive, week-long medical mission trips in rural villages throughout Latin America and Uganda. Led by Co-Founders Dr. Arash Hakhamian and Avi Kerendian, register for the volunteer experience of a lifetime!
Avi Kerendian is the Co-Founder and Program Director of GGHTx. GGHTx, also known as “Gracias” Global Health Trips, is an active public health non-profit improving global health in underserved, indigenous communities in Latin America and Uganda through community-based partnerships (CBO’s) with the end goal of fostering self-sufficiency.
Avi Kerendian latest project: GGHTx + Zidan Benevolence International: The Stigma Project, Vision: To eliminate stigma and vamp up the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS through disease awareness, disease prevention, professional community and adolescent education, while improving healthcare access and treatment services for underserved and vulnerable populations throughout central Uganda. Preparation: Delegation will undergo pre-travel orientation with GGHTx staff and arrival training at partnership’s center and in collaboration with local professionals at Zidan Benevolence International.
Have you ever had to walk 5 miles carrying your 2-month old baby, in hopes of getting an appointment with a general physician? It is also a blazing 90°F outside and the path you are walking on is full of uneven stones, loose dirt, and countless forks, all possibly causing you to go the wrong way. In case you weren’t sure, the villages GGHTx travels to each year have no Uber option either.
To empower young adults – students and professionals – to create sustainable change for vulnerable communities in Latin America and Uganda through nonprofit service mission trips. Creating sustainable projects in developing communities, while also offering volunteers the opportunity to engage in fun afternoon extracurricular activities that embrace the life, language, and culture of the places we visit. In Latin America, adventure is everywhere! Be patient. Do not give up when things feel difficult or disorganized. Warm up to your project and the people working there. Remember, you need to take initiatives and to be very proactive in order to integrate into your project.
Previously an EMT-B before co-founding GGHTx, Avi Kerendian graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biology and a concentration in Spanish from YU in New York. Awarded Dean’s List every semester, Avi Kerendian was also a competitive student-athlete and took part in competing on the NCAA Fencing Team (Weapon: Sabre) where he qualified for Competing in the NCAA Northeast Regional Fencing Championships. While in undergrad, Avi Kerendian was also the President of the Student Global Health Club which prompted his interest in GGHTx. Read more info at Avi Kerendian.