By: Cristian Gutierrez, 2026 ITF Intern at the North Carolina Farmworkers Project
Over the last month working with the North Carolina Farmworkers Project (NCFWP), I have had the opportunity to work with great people who are truly passionate about the work they do and the impact they make in the farmworker communities. One of the things that makes NCFWP is that every day is different. Some days we are out doing outreach in the fields, other days we are interpreting for patients at dental clinics or helping during evening clinics with Campbell University and Benson Health. There is no set schedule because the needs of the community are always changing.
One day that has stayed with me was during outreach when we brought food to a camp, we had gotten there before the workers to set up the food, tables and chairs. Farmworkers who had spent the entire day working in the heat, despite this they received us with kindness and gratitude. We shared dinner and Don Leo, one of our supervisors and founders of NCFWP played the guitar and sang songs to all of us. It was a great way to bond and create a space for everyone to enjoy and forget all our troubles for a short time.
These experiences and seeing our team work together with compassion and dedication has shown me that even small acts of kindness, a small talk, a smile, a joke, can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. Being with NCFWP has affirmed my goals in pursuing a career in healthcare and reminded me that caring for others goes far beyond treating illness. It is about building trust, advocating for those who are underserved, and meeting people where they are and for who they are.