Volunteers Donate their time to make a Difference at St. Andrews

Pini Paredes has been interpreting for doctors at the St. Andrew Clinic for the past year and a half.

Usually she translates for the Occupational Therapy Department of the clinic, but on Thursday, April 3, Pini worked with Dr. Sandy Newmark in the pediatrics section because the translator that usually works with Dr.Newmark was absent.

Paredes, who has now retired, used to work as a interpreter for the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

She now enjoys spending her time at St. Andrew's every month, helping families in need. The clinic is located in Nogales, Arizona, where Paredes also resides.

"This has changed me to be a better person," she says. "You get to meet such interesting people."

She is an avid volunteer and has only missed one clinic.

"You see some heart breaking little stories," she says, but you do what you can to support these patients.

Overall Pini has had a very positive experience as an interpreter, and "as long as God gives me health and I'm able to," she said, Paredes will continue to donate her time.