The Health Expo is an outreach initiative of River Plate Adventist University (Universidad Adventista del Plata, UAP), a Seventh-day Adventist institution in Entre Ríos Province, Argentina. Students from a variety of majors and faculties volunteer their time to provide basic health services, practical information on disease prevention, and a faith-based spiritual message—free of charge—to residents in nearby and more distant communities.

UAP is part of the Adventist educational network in the South American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and its Faculty of Health Sciences plays a central role in this program.

During each Health Expo, participants register and complete a chronic disease risk factor assessment before visiting a series of stations dedicated to the “eight natural remedies” promoted by the Adventist health message: water, rest, exercise, sunlight, air, nutrition, temperance, and hope. Dedicated spaces are set up for each remedy, along with an oral health area led by dentistry students. A children’s section also teaches these principles through games, integrating multiple health-related disciplines.

“The goal is for people to come to the Hope booth—a fundamental part of comprehensive health—and become interested in Bible study,” said fourth-year medical student Luciana Calderón. “Since last year, we’ve been working with the Student Mission of the Plata (MEP), a volunteer missionary group from the Faculty of Theology, which offers Bible studies to those who request them. Thanks to this joint effort, around fifteen baptisms have taken place. We sow, and then we see the fruits. We are very satisfied, reaffirming that God has a greater purpose.”

Many student volunteers belong to the group Con la vista en el cielo (With a View to Heaven), made up mostly of health sciences students focused on health education and outreach. “We visit both nearby and more remote communities, often setting up in public spaces,” Calderón explained. “On this occasion, we also gave talks about natural remedies with the goal of educating people.”

Fourth-year psychology student Josué Altamirano added, “One way to be happy is to help others, sharing God’s love,” reflecting on his involvement with Con la vista en el cielo.

Preparation for the Health Expo involves two main stages—before and during the event. “Beforehand, we make contacts, pre-register participants, arrange transportation, and prepare materials,” Calderón noted. “On the day, we set up and then run the program.”

“At each location, we set up a tent with nine booths so attendees can explore the different spaces,” Altamirano said. “We also have a children’s section where the eight natural remedies are taught through games.”

Setting up the tent takes about an hour, Calderón explained, and often attracts community members right away. “The first step is checking vital signs, such as blood pressure. Welcoming people brings us joy,” she said.

The volunteer missionary groups operate primarily through international donations and a budget allocated by UAP for the Missionary Institute, which has coordinated the university’s volunteer outreach efforts for the past decade.

The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.