Meet Avi Kerendian and some of his achievements: 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: By developing and increasing access to educational HIV programs that focus on prevention and awareness, GGHTx hopes this partnership will help in creating better health outcomes for individuals and families in Uganda. Zidan Benevolence International will help facilitate the work with providers, community leaders, patient advocates, and government officials to identify gaps, then develop and scale up the best practices to achieve sustainable and scalable improvements.
“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!”
“Gracias” Global Health Trip’s (GGHTx) guiding principle under the auspices of co-founders Dr. Arash Hakhamian and Avi Kerendian, is to team up with local volunteer centers in developing areas to bring together the volunteers, donations, and necessary resources that local communities need, with an eye towards fostering self-sufficiency. We specifically choose to work closely with local partners. Remember, you are here for a limited time. Be honest with yourself and the project regarding your time here. If you implement something, make sure you pass on the knowledge, so future volunteers can continue in your footsteps.
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. See extra info on Avi Kerendian.