A Mission to Give Back

In the spirit of giving, some in Central New York are trying do more than just give, back, They're trying to change lives all the way in Brazil. It's been a fourteen year annual trip Dr. Pat Zawko began to give back to people who have nothing. Helping people heal isn't just a job for her; it's become something different altogether. "It's life changing, it changes your perspective in life, it is so fulfilling as a nurse, to give back to people your craft in a way that is not tied to a paycheck in anyway is really the essence of nursing." Mission trips for the Zawko family are becoming a tradition. Daughter Skyler has three trips under her belt but she says she'll never forget her first trip. "I got there and it changed my life I have a whole new perspective on life here. People here don't really know what they have, we're always wanting more, we're not thankful for what we have and the people in Brazil have literally nothing and they're the happiest people in the world." In previous years, the group had up to twenty members attend, but this year only eight are going. And one of the eight is a SUNYIT student. Heather Moksness has been to Brazil many times as but nothing quite like this time. "I've been knowing that I'm going to be joining them on this trip and I've been hearing a lot about it and I just want to understand it, like Skyler was saying you don't understand until you go. Everyone's like you've been to Brazil you've done this, you've done that, but this is not going to be like that, this is going to be totally different."