Avi Kerendian or the climb of a medical volunteers project manager: 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 will help facilitate HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and destigmatization by helping inspire leadership within local communities and schools in response to the recent rebound in HIV, especially amongst pediatrics. Mission: To provide volunteer efforts in the professional implementation of the project’s educational awareness and destigmatization HIV/AIDS model.
“I was privileged to spend a week with GGHTx on their last winter-break mission trip. We visited many rural, indigenous villages and I marveled at how the small medical clinics that GGHTx supports are making such an impact with hardly any resources. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants to volunteer and see what it is like to work in another country. It is amazing to be able to have an opportunity like this and I am so happy and humbled to have these memories forever!”
Airport pick-up is included in our volunteer program! Avi and one of our professional drivers, William or Jorge, will meet you outside of baggage claim as you exit the airport. You will receive a Welcome Packet detailing your accommodations, orientation time, and all emergency contact details. Your Welcome Packet tells you the exact time of your orientation! Orientation is very important because we cover specific details about our program, including a health and safety review, dos and don’ts, planned extracurricular activities, and a short walking tour to be sure you are familiar with the area!
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. Find extra info on Avi Kerendian.