Watch: A personal message from Ariela Tejada on the mission of Meds4Kidz

A Family Tradition of Healing & Service

My name is Ariela Tejada. I am 18 years old, and service has been the heartbeat of my family for as long as I can remember. My connection to healthcare began with my grandfather, a doctor whose dedication to helping others left an indelible mark on me. From the time I was little, he would take me with him into the countryside to help care for impoverished families who had zero access to doctors or basic medical care. Witnessing firsthand how a simple prescription or gentle care could transform a child’s life taught me what medicine and compassion truly mean.

That legacy was deepened by my mother, who passed down that same spirit of generosity and quiet service to my sister and me every day. When my older sister Daniela founded Meds4Kidz, it felt like a natural extension of our family values. I practically grew up inside the foundation—sorting medical shipments, packing supply boxes, and learning how community action works from the ground up.

Over the years, that early commitment grew into a genuine drive to lead. After serving as Vice President, I stepped into the role of President. In this position, I have worked to protect our core international mission delivering medicines to El Hogar de Dios in Bolivia, while expanding our reach through local South Florida programs like the Big Buddy Program for unaccompanied minors, back-to-school drives, and annual holiday campaigns.

This foundation isn’t just an extracurricular to me—it is a deeply personal, lifelong commitment born from the lessons of my grandfather and mother, and I plan to carry it forward into college and beyond.

Initiatives Spearheaded Under Ariela’s Leadership

Expanding the foundation’s footprint through targeted local programs across South Florida alongside our ongoing international mission in Bolivia.