Changing the World with Imagination

NAME: Quinney Fu
HOMETOWN: Mesa, Arizona
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR: Molecular and Cellular Biology/ Public Administration: Health and Human Services

Imaginations, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life of children and families through sustainable health and education initiatives at home and abroad. The organization was started by a group of students from the University of Arizona five years ago and now has 3 major chapters across the US. This UA Student has spent the last few years dedicating her time to aided people across the world with just this.

HC: Tell us a little about Imaginations:

Quinney: Imaginations is a student-run, non-profit organization driven purely through volunteer efforts. We work to facilitate meaningful travel experiences in Thailand, Peru, and Indonesia by intertwining cultural exchange and a variety of internship opportunities.

HC: When did you get involved in this program?

Quinney:Volunteered in a rural hospital and taught English in a nearby school in Thailand in 2008. Since then, I’ve returned to Thailand as an in-country coordinator in 2009, traveled to Peru as an in-country coordinator in 2010, and am currently serving as Executive Director.

HC: Where are the other chapters located?

Quinney: Arizona State University and University of Illinois-Champaign. However, we accept individuals from all over the country and are always interested in helping students start chapters at new universities. 

HC: This past Spring Break you went to Peru, what was the work you did while there? 

Quinney: Amy Sayre and I traveled to Huancayo, Peru to cement orientation activities, project sites, and housing for our summer volunteers. Amy volunteered with Imaginations in Summer 2010 and is currently the Peru Director and a UA nursing student. Among the project sites are medical clinics, schools, and social work programs for youth. We spent a couple afternoons volunteering at the sites where our Teaching English and Social Work volunteers will be working this summer, including a special needs school and a school for underprivileged children who have no caretakers and end up working on the streets. 

HC: What has been the most inspiration experience you’ve had thus far being involved in Imaginations?

Quinney:I witnessed a young girl of only 15 give birth with the determination to provide a caring, safe environment for her child. Despite the pains of childbirth and the lack of painkillers, the girl did not cry out a single time and displayed the maturity of someone much older. Growing up in the US, we are provided with so many more opportunities that give us a a number of advantages. It is important that we work as hard and have as much courage as that girl to make the most of our situations.  

HC: What would be the message you would like to send to our readers?

Quinney:The world is full of amazing wonders and even more opportunities to make a difference. Take advantage of the time you have to travel and make the effort to learn about the people, culture, and struggles at each stop. There is a huge difference between traveling through a country and experiencing a country; the second is so much more rewarding and will be carried with you for the rest of your life.

 
 
Looking to get involved here at the UA? You are apply for the summer and winter internships, spread the word to friends and family, and help by raising funds/toys/clothes for the communities being served. Imaginations also holds medical campaigns (free medical clinics) to underserved communities, which are facilitated by our volunteers and local physicians. As such, any donations in the form of medical supplies are greatly welcome and needed. Visit www.imaginationsinc.org or http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Imaginations-Inc/131709566866915 for updates and more information or contact us at info@imaginationsinc.org.