How it Started
PediPals started with my little brother and a trip to get a shot.
Like most kids, he wasn't the most enthusiastic about getting poked and prodded with a needle, but his reaction was a little more dramatic than expected. While sobbing, he announced to the whole room that he “hated his life.” It's something my family still laughs about today, but it also got me thinking about how overwhelming even a doctor's visit can feel to a little kid.
I wanted to find a way to make those experiences a little less intimidating. That's where the idea for PediPals came from! Small kits filled with fun toys and activities give kids something fun to focus on to distract them from those intimidating doctor's visits.
Why Comfort
+ Education?
As I started putting together the kits, I realized I wanted them to give more than just a distraction.
Kids are naturally curious and I think they deserve answers to their questions about their bodies and health that actually make sense to them. That's why I added simple, colorful health education cards to include in every kit.
Whether it's learning why we wash our hands or what happens when we get a shot, my goal is to make health a little easier to understand and healthcare visits a little less scary.
Meet the Founder
Hi! I'm Yasmine, a high school student from North Carolina and the founder of the PediPals Project.
PediPals is a project I run independently, from gathering supplies and packing each kit to coordinating donations with local healthcare providers.
I've always been interested in working with children in healthcare, and PediPals has given me a way to combine that interest with something I can do for kids in my community right now.
