

	“We are here with the same goal; to make the world a better place for children with diabetes.” —Martina Matejic, CAI '03 Participant from Croatia

About AYUDA

Empowering youth to serve as agents of change in diabetes communities around the world

A lack of education is equally as dangerous as a lack of insulin

Children around the world living with diabetes face many physical, emotional, and economic challenges on a daily basis. Poverty, illiteracy and a lack of education markedly intensify these issues for children with diabetes and their families. Although today there is no cure for diabetes, the condition can be effectively managed with the appropriate tools and education. AYUDA’s programs empower youth with diabetes to live happier and healthier lives as leaders in their local diabetes communities.

Youth can serve as Agents of Change

Established in 1996, American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, Inc. (AYUDA) is a non-profit organization that empowers youth to serve as agents of change in diabetes communities throughout the world. AYUDA is recognized throughout Latin America as an international leader in the development and delivery of diabetes education, advocacy and youth empowerment.

Employing youth-to-youth empowerment strategies, AYUDA has improved the delivery of essential diabetes education and serves to inspire youth to take a more active role in managing their diabetes and participating in their respective communities.

International Programs

AYUDA’s model diabetes education program, Campo Amigo, is fundamentally an educational program that serves to provide children living with diabetes the necessary education on diet, nutrition, exercise and blood sugar control to improve the quality of their lives. Rather than only address the immediate medical needs of children living with diabetes, Campo Amigo seeks to build overall local capacity to provide sustainable educational services for the long-term needs of the community. Thus, Campo Amigo has developed additional training components to assure long-term sustainability and incorporate local medical students, parents and medical professionals.

AYUDA has supported initiatives in a total of nine countries, and currently runs volunteer programs in conjunction with local partners in Ecuador, Bolivia, and The Dominican Republic. While each program is unique in order to specifically address the needs of the local diabetes community, all of AYUDA’s programs employ our innovative youth-to-youth model that empowers volunteers, ranging from high school and college students to world-class medical professionals, to lead and implement the diabetes education program.

Invest in AYUDA

AYUDA depends on diverse partnerships and contributions to accomplish our goals. Your support can come in many forms, such as:

* Donations of funds and in-kind materials

* Volunteer as a youth leader or on our medical team in our international programs

* Fundraise with your friends, family, school, or community

* Collaborate on the development of our diabetes and nutrition programs

* Help forge strategic partnerships

* Intern or consult for AYUDA