Urban Renewal

Mohsin S. Sandhu
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read

In the spring of 2007, we traveled to New Orleans to participate in the much-needed relief work, resulting from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Nearly two years after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the images we had seen from the comfort of our living room were suddenly an inescapable reality. Within minutes of arriving, we took note of the harsh day-to-day activities: people waiting in line for a simple meal, washing dirty clothes by hand, and even sleeping on a densely packed church floor. As our group’s time in New Orleans was limited, we immediately immersed ourselves in the housing reconstruction projects by laboring to gut houses and clear debris across the 9th ward. Remnants scattered throughout recently abandoned buildings showed traces of memories belonging to those who had once lived there. At times, the magnitude of the damage proved shocking and inhumane. However, after seeing firsthand accounts of what individuals and families had gone through, I am further convinced that our greatest impact came in the form of restoring confidence and trust to move forward in the face of this devastating tragedy.

Humanitarian crisis, like medicine can be as much about coping with failure and loss as it is about sustaining life.

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina impressed upon us the need for proactive initiatives to confront challenges faced by our communities in times of need. With support from a handful of dedicated students, we founded a nonprofit student organization: Pre-Meds Without Borders. By establishing partnerships with local nonprofits, we continue to provide a platform for emerging leaders to make meaningful contributions within their respective communities and beyond.

To learn more, please visit us at http://pmborders.org.

Pre-Meds Without Borders

Pre-Meds Without Borders

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Mohsin S. Sandhu

Written by

Founder, CEO at @dormillo @pmborders

Pre-Meds Without Borders

Pre-Meds Without Borders

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