Founding father of the Blueprint Basis, Roxanne Hermanstyne.
Photograph by Danielle Wills
Roxanne Hermanstyne and her household come from Victoria Village, in addition to Cove and John Village, each on the Atlantic Coast of Guyana and now stay in Hawaii are serving to to enhance the well being and well-being of residents within the rural areas of her homeland.
“Annually, my father marked his birthday by arranging transportation for college students from the David Rose Faculty for handicapped youngsters to go to my dad’s former enterprise, often known as Jazzy Jack in Kitty, for a celebratory occasion,” she mentioned.
This is only one of many acts of kindness she remembers whereas rising up there. “My recollections are stuffed with plentiful meals, joyous laughter, dancing, and the distribution of toys to the kids,” she added.
Hermanstyne was residing in New York Metropolis, working at NYU Hospital within the Pharmacy Division. After she obtained a name from her aunt, during which her aunt shared her prognosis of most cancers in 2018, she determined to begin the Blueprint Basis, previously often known as the Benin Basis. She was the one one in her household with a healthcare background on the time.
The Basis gives schooling on expertise to younger folks in underserved areas in Guyana, with a concentrate on bettering entry to schooling and healthcare for all.
“As I mirrored on the scenario, it struck me that many individuals within the rural areas of Guyana won’t have entry to such help throughout instances of want. It was at that second that I noticed change was on the horizon, and I used to be pushed to make a distinction,” she continued.
The volunteers within the basis are a really tight-knit group of Hermanstyne’s shut family and friends members, and she or he tremendously appreciates their efforts. “Yearly, my pals eagerly anticipate the chance to journey with me to Guyana. In Guyana, my childhood family and friends members readily lengthen a serving to hand throughout our outreach week,” she said.
Their contributions embody helping within the packaging of hampers, overseeing affected person check-ins, in addition to distributing college provides and backpacks to youngsters in want. Moreover, a few of them volunteer their time to doc the journey, guaranteeing that their efforts are well-documented and shared.
Moreover, she has instilled rules of teamwork and unity within the volunteers, emphasizing that once they come collectively as one, they’ve the capability to achieve and positively influence way more folks than they may initially think about.
Her aunt’s prognosis additionally led her to place collectively medical mission journeys for the volunteers, and to determine the Blueprint Academy, the place younger folks can enhance on their digital literacy expertise. Throughout their most up-to-date mission journey, on the second day whereas on the clinic on the east coast, Hermanstyne and her crew discovered themselves delivering a child behind a automobile earlier than the affected person may attain Georgetown Hospital.
“I firmly consider that I, together with my crew, had been in the precise place on the proper time. Wanting again at the place I started and the place the group stands at present, I can see a major constructive transformation,” she added.
The Basis’s largest successes embody getting its 501c3 standing from the IRS this 12 months, which Hermanstyne says has opened so many extra pathways. One other for her is having the privilege of networking organically with folks she had met for the primary time.
“As I shared the tales and experiences tied to our mission, one thing actually exceptional occurred. I started to obtain on-the-spot donations from people who had been genuinely moved by our trigger. It was extremely heartening to witness this spontaneous outpouring of assist,” she mentioned.
With expertise progressing as quick as it’s, Hermanstyne sees the problem of organizations struggling to maintain up.
“The digital footprint of my basis has undergone vital adjustments in response to the pandemic. On account of this digital transformation, I’m regularly increasing my data of varied on-line avenues for actions like fundraisers and conferences,” she continued.
From a healthcare perspective: “One thing as seemingly small as offering a glucose monitor and provides might be life-changing for sufferers who can’t afford these requirements every month,” she said.
“Entry to upkeep treatment is nothing wanting life-saving for a lot of of our sufferers. Each motion we take at Blueprint leaves a long-lasting footprint of the change we aspire to convey to those communities.
One other factor she needs folks knew is the profound influence that even a small donation can have.
“It’s like making a ripple impact that breaks down medical and academic limitations within the rural areas of Guyana. These contributions allow college students to boost their digital literacy, opening doorways for them to generate earnings and in the end create higher lives for themselves,” she mentioned.
This 12 months, the mission journey to Guyana is scheduled from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11, 2023. Hermanstyne and her crew might be visiting three areas: Victoria, Linden and Kwakwani. This would be the first medical and academic mission journey for the reason that pandemic in 2020.
The mission journey is for these age 18 and older, and those that are youthful should journey with a guardian or guardian. These concerned with attending can discover extra particulars right here: https://blueprintfoundationinc.servicereef.com/events/the-blueprint-foundation-inc/november-2023-in-field-medical-mission-trip-guyana#overview.
To assist the Blueprint Basis, those that have an interest can donate right here: https://blueprintfoundationinc.servicereef.com/organizations/the-blueprint-foundation-inc/donate.
