Medical Camp: Denver, CO
It all started with a dream and a prayer to help those with critical health needs since the devastation of COVID-19 pandemic. The homeless crisis across the Denver metro area has left many communities feeling hopeless. Moreover, Colorado was one of five states with an influx of migrants from Venezuela. Hence, there was an urgent call for ‘love in action.’
On November 18, 2023, the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO) in Colorado conducted a free medical camp in Denver, CO. It was hosted by the Sathya Sai Center of SE Denver at the Grace United Methodist Church. After witnessing the awe-inspiring global impact of SSSIO Medical Camps, the Colorado SSSIO members eagerly reached out for advice and support from veteran SSSIO medical camp organizers. Under their guidance, the Colorado SSSIO team worked diligently and enthusiastically. The dream unfolded and was realized within a few months.
With the help of the Colorado Health Department, three local homeless shelters were contacted—House of Hope for Homeless Mothers with Children, Goals Family Shelter, and Volunteers of America Family Hotel—where most of the residents did not have access to healthcare. The SSSIO also reached out to the Migrant Welcome Center since many recent immigrants had healthcare needs that often went unaddressed. These were the target populations the camp aimed to serve.
About 40 SSSIO members, ages 15 and above, from across the Southwest Region (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah), eagerly volunteered to serve at the camp. Twenty-eight local doctors and health practitioners from across the region also came to serve, representing a broad range of specialties such as Internal Medicine, Dentistry, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, and Women’s Health. Sai volunteers helped usher visitors and guided them through the various stations of the camp.
The camp ran from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, serving 38 visitors, adults, and children from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanics, African Americans, and many recent immigrants. A member of the Grace Church was so relieved her husband, who desperately needed reading glasses, finally agreed to see an ophthalmologist for the first time. He came out with new reading glasses and a pair of sunglasses. “Wow, what a difference it makes to see so clearly and read confidently!” he declared with gratitude. “You all are doing God’s work!”. His wife agreed. A mother from the House of Hope Shelter whose daughter had never had dental care was amazed at what was possible once she saw the dentist. “This was a prayer answered for my family,” she gratefully acclaimed to the volunteers.
Crystal prayer bracelets were created by a few loving Sai volunteers from Arizona, including a 91-year-old lady. The bracelets were infused with prayers and sacred healing ash to distribute as special gifts to guests. Ultimately, all visitors received a hearty lunch bag filled with savory food made and infused with love by the kitchen crew. Each guest was also given a ‘goody bag’ containing health essentials such as toothpaste, brush, floss, soap, and more. There was jubilation all around in sharing love and being instruments for good. Love in Action, indeed!