The FIMRC site in Nicaragua is located in the rural village of Limón, Nicaragua. This project site provides medical care to the children living in this remote area, where a lack of healthcare and sanitation have resulted in high child mortality rates. FIMRC currently provides support for local health care facilities near Limón while also maintaing it’s own pediatric clinic. The FIMRC pediatric clinic is managed by the region’s only pediatrician and treats children as well as expectant mothers. This site also focuses on health outreach through conducting house visits, facilitating education groups, and developing health campaigns.

Volunteers at this site have the opportunity to observe nurses and physicians in both the FIMRC pediatric clinic as well as the Las Salinas government clinic. During this time, volunteers may conduct patient intake, provide vaccinations, or assist with examinations. Volunteers will also spend time interacting with children at the clinic as well as in local schools. Community outreach is also an important component of the volunteer experience and can include activities such as: conducting lice campaigns, teaching health education lessons, and hosting educational discussions.

Housing
Volunteers stay in cottage-style hotel accommodations at the Surf Sanctuary, located a short walk from the beach and a short drive from the clinic site. Its close proximity to local homes allows volunteers to become truly integrated into the community. All rooms have electricity, air conditioning, toilets, and hot showers. Volunteers also have access to a common area with a kitchen and television.

Meals
Breakfast is provided for every day of your stay at the Surf Sanctuary and includes options of fruit, eggs, pancakes, rice, beans, and other common Nicaraguan breakfast plates. Lunch is provided at the clinic during every volunteering day. These lunches are typical Nicaragua dishes and tend to include beans, plantains, a salad of cabbage and tomato, and either fish, chicken, beef, or pork (selection changes daily). Accommodations can be made for volunteers with specific dietary preferences. Volunteers are responsible for purchasing additional meals from a list of recommended meal vendors in the community.

Transportation
All transportation is provided by reputable hired drivers with outstanding safety records.
Upon arrival at the Managua airport, volunteers are met by a driver, as well as a staff member or representative of FIMRC, and are transported to the Surf Sanctuary. Private transportation is provided for each volunteering day between the Surf Sanctuary, the clinic site, and all other volunteering locations in and around the community of Limon.

Cost

• Peak (January, March, May, June, July): $1234 per week
• Semi-peak (December, February, August, September): $1134 per week
• Non-peak (April, October, November): $1034 per week

This cost includes the program donation that supports the project sites as well as housing, food, & in-country transportation.  Housing, food and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, lodging at the Surf Sanctuary that includes breakfast each morning for the duration of the volunteer’s stay. Lunch is provided in the community during the volunteering days (M-F). Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $500-$700
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer

The FIMRC site in Costa Rica is located in Alajuelita, a small town close to the capital city. This project site provides medical care to approximately 12,000 women, children, and Nicaraguan refugees. Although Costa Rica has a universal health plan, many of the poor still remain underinsured while refugees have no insurance. This community is plagued by many infectious diseases that can be easily treated and even prevented with proper education, sanitation, and other prevention efforts. FIMRC opened the San Felipe clinic in Alajuelita in 2005, which is staffed by a physician, health program coordinator, and psychologist.

Volunteers at this site have the opportunity to observe nurses and physicians in the clinic and may conduct patient intake, provide vaccinations, or assist with examinations. Other clinic tasks may include: developing record keeping systems, updating charts, and creating health related curricula. Volunteers will also spend time interacting with children at the clinic as well as in local schools. Community outreach is an important component of the volunteer experience and can include activities such as: conducting house visits, teaching health education lessons, and working in a soup kitchen.

Housing
Volunteers are housed through FIMRC’s Homestay Program. Since the inception of Project Alajuelita, FIMRC has cultivated a network of Costa Rican families living in the town of Santa Ana, a comfortable suburb located about 20 minutes from the capital city of San Jose and about 30 minutes from the clinic site. Homestays all have telephone access and are located within walking distance of internet cafes, making it possible to communicate with friends and family at home. FIMRC’s Homestay Coordinator screens all host families and ensures that volunteers are satisfied with their placements. Volunteers are asked to indicate all housing preferences, including meal requests and pet/food allergies in the enrollment forms. All houses are clean and comfortable with western-style toilets and showers.

Meals
Three meals per day are provided by the host families. Volunteers are welcome to dine elsewhere if they desire, but at their own expense.

Transportation
All transportation will be provided by a reputable hired driver with whom FIMRC has been working since the inception of Project Alajuelita’s volunteer program. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, volunteers are met by FIMRC’s Transportation Coordinator, who greets all volunteers and provides van transportation to the homestay. Our Transportation Coordinator personally provides van transportation between the homestays and clinic site during each volunteering day. Due to the geography of the region, there are times when vehicles cannot access the final destination and groups will have to do some walking in order to reach a community.

Cost

• Peak (January, March, May, June, July): $1234 per week
• Semi-peak (December, February, August, September): $1134per week
• Non-peak (April, October, November): $1034 per week

This cost includes the program donation that supports the project site as well as housing, food, & transportation.  Housing, food and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, and three meals prepared by the homestay family for the duration of the volunteer’s stay. Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $500-$700
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer

The FIMRC site in El Salvador is located in the rural community of Las Delicias, located just outside the capital city. This project site provides medical care to a population of approximately 3,000 people in the area. Due to a lack of education, resources, and sanitation, this community is faced with issues such as malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory infections. FIMRC opened it’s own clinic in the area in 2008, which provides pediatric care as well as care for expectant mothers. This project site was also the first to launch a Micro Health Insurance Program, which is a non-monetary model of insurance that incorporates health incentives. FIMRC also works with local community partners such as the Ministry of Health to promote health education in the community.

Volunteers at this site have the opportunity to observe nurses and physicians in the clinic and may conduct patient intake, provide vaccinations, or assist with examinations. Volunteers will also spend time interacting with children at the clinic as well as in local schools. Community outreach is an important component of the volunteer experience and can include activities such as: conducting house visits, teaching health education lessons, and assisting with community surveys.

Housing
Volunteers stay at FIMRC’s Volunteer Guesthouse located in a safe area of San Salvador. The guesthouse is securely gated and guarded 24 hours per day. Amenities are comparable to a hotel and include bedding, showers, and daily cleaning service. Volunteers stay in shared rooms with one to three other volunteers of the same gender, and our staff do their best to honor all rooming preferences as stated in the enrollment forms. Laundry service is available for long-term volunteers. Internet access is available in the area.

Meals
Breakfast is provided daily by a hired cook at the Volunteer House. Breakfast options include pancakes, eggs, and typical Salvadoran dishes such as beans and plantains. Volunteers are responsible for purchasing additional meals from a provided list of reputable meal vendors. Lunch is generally purchased in the morning and brought to the clinic and volunteers generally go out to dinner in the evening.

Transportation
All transportation will be provided by reputable hired drivers with outstanding safety records.
Upon arrival at the San Salvador airport, volunteers are met by a driver, as well as a staff member or representative of FIMRC, and are transported to the Volunteer House. Private transportation is provided for each volunteering day between the Volunteer House, the clinic site, and all other volunteering locations in and around the community of Las Delicias. Any transportation needed for recreational activities come at an additional charge.

Cost

• Peak (January, March, May, June, July): $1234 per week
• Semi-peak (December, February, August, September): $1134 per week
• Non-peak (April, October, November): $1034 per week

This cost includes the program donation that supports the project site as well as housing, food, & transportation.  Housing, food and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, lodging in the volunteer guest house and breakfast each morning for the duration of the volunteer’s stay. Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $500-$700
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer

The FIMRC site in the Dominican Republic is located in Restauración, a remote town located in the second poorest province in the country and only 12km from the Haiti border. This project site was founded in 2012, making it the newest FIMRC location. There are currently five clinics located in and around Restauración that depend on the public health system for it’s staff, equipment, and funding. However, due to the lack of spending on the healthcare sector, these clinics often lack the most basic personnel and necessities. These clinics currently serve the population of Restauración, the surrounding villages, as well as Haitians from the village of Tiluri. FIMRC’s Project Restauración works with local health clinics to better train and observe medical professionals, execute public health campaigns in the region based on current local needs and train locals on preventative health care so that they can serve their communities more effectively. FIMRC aims to be present in both Restauración, Dominican Republic and Tiluri, Haiti.

Volunteers at this site have the opportunity to observe nurses and physicians in the clinics and may conduct patient intake, provide vaccinations, or assist with examinations. Volunteers are also vital in the effort to survey and collect health data in the community. Community outreach is an important component of the volunteer experience and can include activities such as: conducting house visits, teaching health education lessons, or painting a mural in town. Due to the location of housing at this site (in the town center), volunteers will also have the wonderful opportunity to spend a great deal of time interacting with children throughout the day.

Housing

Volunteers are housed through FIMRC’s Homestay Program. All homestays are located in the town center. FIMRC’s Homestay Coordinator screens all host families and ensures that volunteers are satisfied with their placements. Volunteers are asked to indicate all housing preferences, including meal requests and pet/food allergies in the enrollment forms. All houses are clean and comfortable with western-style toilets and showers.

Meals

Three meals a day are provided for all volunteers and consist of typical Dominican food such as: rice, beans, chicken, salad, and juice.

Transportation

All transportation will be provided by reputable hired drivers with outstanding safety records.
Upon arrival at the airport, volunteers are met by a driver, as well as a staff member or representative of FIMRC. Transportation is provided for each day for volunteering needs. Any transportation needed for recreational activities come at an additional charge.

Cost

• Peak (January, March, May, June, July): $1234 per week
• Semi-peak (December, February, August, September): $1134 per week
• Non-peak (April, October, November): $1034 per week

This cost includes the program donation that supports the project site as well as housing, food, & transportation.  Housing, food and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, homestay lodging, and three meals per day. Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $500-$700
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer

FIMRC currently has two different sites in Peru – Agallpampa and Huancayo. Agallpampa is the regional center of a network of villages and is home to approximately 700 people living in extreme poverty. Many of the people in this region perform labor intensive jobs and live on simple diets of food that can be grown on the land. Medical access is limited in this area, requiring many people to walk miles to the nearest clinic. At this project site, FIMRC works closely with existing clinics to expand outreach and assist with educational campaigns.

The Huancayo project is quite different from Agallpampa in that it is located in a vibrant city. Although the city is popular for tourism, much of the population still lives in poverty and is plagued by health issues related to lack of sanitation, nutrition, and clean water. At this project site, FIMRC partners with existing hospitals, clinics, and orphanages with the goal to provide educational opportunities for the population.

The volunteer experience in this location is unique in that it can include a visit to one or both sites in Peru. FIMRC focuses heavily on education at both locations, so volunteers will play a large role in performing health education presentations. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to shadow medical professionals in the remote clinics of Agallpampa as well as in hospitals and clinics in Huancayo.

Housing

Volunteers are housed through FIMRC’s Homestay Program in a guesthouse-style homestay. The homestay is clean and comfortable with hot water, western-style toilets, and showers. Volunteers are asked to indicate all housing preferences, including meal requests and pet/food allergies in the enrollment forms.

Meals

Three meals per day are provided at the homestay. Volunteers are responsible for the purchase of meals during any time spent in Lima.

Transportation

All transportation is provided by comfortable coach bus or by reputable hired drivers with outstanding safety records. Upon arrival at the Lima airport, volunteers are met by a staff member or representative of FIMRC. Based on flight schedules, volunteers may spend a night in a backpackers’ hostel in Lima after arrival or prior to departure. FIMRC arranges all transportation from Lima to the project site, as well as transportation back to the airport at the conclusion of the volunteer mission.  Once at the project site, we provide van transportation between the homestay and volunteering site(s). Due to the geography of the region, there are times when vehicles cannot access the final destination and groups will have to do some walking in order to reach a community.

Cost

• Peak (January, March, May, June, July): $1234 per week
• Semi-peak (December, February, August, September): $1134 per week
• Non-peak (April, October, November): $1034 per week

This cost includes the program donation that supports our project sites as well as housing, food, & transportation.  Housing, food and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, and three meals prepared by the homestay family for the duration of the volunteer’s stay. Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $700-$900
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer.

The FIMRC site in India is located in the community of Kodaikanal. Recently, many industries and large corporations have moved into the area, yet many residents still find themselves without work or in jobs that require intense physical labor that do not pay well. Since most parents must work during the day, childcare is left to the grandparents or older siblings. In India, a crèche is a combination school, day care center, and health center for children between 2 and 5 years old, which provides basic shelter, food, education and care. At this project site, FIMRC supports two crèches in the area. When children enroll at these centers, it allows older siblings to return to school and grandparents are relieved of childcare duties. In partnership with these crèches, FIMRC provides comprehensive healthcare for enrolled children through doctor visits, hospital payment assistance, and food supplements. FIMRC also works to educate the community on health topics such as malnutrition, infectious diseases, and HIV/AIDS. FIMRC also has it’s own clinic in the area and works with other hospitals and organizations around Kodaikanal.

Volunteers at this site will have the opportunity to observe operations at many locations including: FIMRC’s rural clinic, multiple hospitals, and nearby crèches. During this time, volunteers may shadow the doctor in exam rooms, administer medications, and take patient vital signs. FIMRC also focuses heavily on home health and hygiene, so volunteers may have the opportunity to conduct health education lessons on topics such as child care, vaccinations, and basic sanitation.

Housing

Volunteers stay together in FIMRC’s Volunteer House which is attached to the FIMRC rural clinic. All volunteers are provided with sheets, blankets, Wi-Fi internet, warm bucket baths, kitchen facility and a secure shared room. Due to the limited capacity of the Volunteer House, groups of four volunteers can be housed at one time. In case of larger numbers, volunteers will be housed in a neighboring hotel.

Meals

Volunteers are responsible for purchasing meals from a list of recommended meal vendors in the community. FIMRC guest are also welcome to use the kitchen facility and all utensils.

Transportation

All transportation during the workdays are provided by FIMRC. Weekends trips and other extra transportation requested by volunteers will not be reimbursed/covered by FIMRC. Upon arrival at the Coimbatore or Madurai airport, volunteers are picked up by FIMRC’s driver and are transported to the Volunteer House in Kodaikanal. Private transportation is provided for each volunteering day between the housing quarters and all volunteering locations including the hospitals, crèches and other project related sites.

Cost

• $1,399 for trips of up to two weeks, $675 per week thereafter

This cost includes the program donation that supports the project sites as well as housing and transportation. Housing and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, lodging in the volunteer guest house. Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $1350-$1650
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer

Volunteer Experience

The FIMRC site in Uganda is located in the rural district Bududa, located only 150 miles from the capital city. FIMRC’s work in this area began with a partnership with another nonprofit organization, Arlington Academy of Hope. Through this partnership, FIMRC established a health clinic with the goal to provide healthcare services and education to the community of Bumwalkukani with a focus on students and children in a nearby school. However, due to the lack of medical resources in the area, FIMRC has expanded its services and provides care for over 14 communities in the area, seeing over 100 patients per day. FIMRC also emphasizes health education in the area, thus partnering with other local organizations and community health educators to develop educational initiatives in the area. Recently, a new clinic  and larger has been built and the project now called Project Bududa.  The new site includes a maternity ward to reduce dangerous births in the area.

Volunteers at this project site will have the opportunity to shadow clinic staff and visit local hospitals and other nonprofit organizations, conduct home visits and participate in home-based meetings, teach health education lessons, and assist with other special projects such as mosquito net treatment days.

Housing

Volunteers in Bumwalukani will stay together in FIMRC’s Volunteer Guesthouse, or, in the case of high volunteer volume, the Arlington Academy of Hope (AAH) Guesthouse. The AAH Guesthouse shares the same compound as the school teachers’ quarters, is able to accommodate up to 10 volunteers, and is a twenty minute walk from the clinic. FIMRC’s Guesthouse is about a 15 minute walk from the clinic and houses several FIMRC staff members as well as up to 10 volunteers. Beds and mosquito nets are also provided, and weekly laundry service is available. It is important to understand that plumbing may not be readily accessible in this remote, rural village. Outhouses are located on both grounds, and volunteers will be provided water and a bathing shelter in which to take “bucket baths.” Should volunteers wish to have an actual shower, they could bring a Sun Shower, which is filled and heated by the sun, hung and used like a regular shower. These can be purchased at many camping stores.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner are provided at the Volunteer Guesthouse daily. Lunch and afternoon tea are served on weekdays. Meals are locally influenced and are generally heavy in starches and vegetables.

Transportation

All transportation is provided by a reputable hired driver with whom FIMRC has been working since the inception of Project Bumwalukani. Volunteers are met at the airport upon arrival by the driver. Depending on the time of arrival, volunteers may stay the night in a hotel in Entebbe or may travel to Bumwalukani the same day. Total transport time between the airport and site is between six and seven hours. FIMRC provides return transportation to the airport at the end of the trip.

Daily transportation is not a necessity as the volunteer housing quarters are located within walking distance of the volunteering site. However, transportation can be made available for side visits to communities or towns further away.current provider or from a third-party travel insurance company; for your protection, your insurance policy must include medical evacuation coverage.

Cost

• $1,399 for trips of up to two weeks, $675 per week thereafter

This cost includes the program donation that supports our project sites as well as housing, food, & transportation. Housing, food and transportation include airport pick up/drop off and transportation to/from project site during volunteer days, lodging in the volunteer guest house and three meals a day for the duration of the volunteer’s stay. Excursions and trips for non-volunteer related activity as well as the associated costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $1300-$1900
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer

Volunteer Experience

The FIMRC site in Philippines is located in Cavite,  a province located within the greater Manila area and is in close proximity to country’s capital. The closest municipality is located only 9 miles from Manila, while other communities are located several hours from the capital.  While there are a number of clinics located in the province, health resources and knowledge lack. This has contributed to a high incidence rate of preventable diseases and a lack of proper medication and education.  All volunteers have the opportunity to participate in both the clinical and health education aspects of operations on-site, and activities can range from participating in health worker trainings to shadowing in one of the local health clinics.

Volunteer activities include house visits in rural communities to assess current standards of living and what services will be provided, observing in rural clinics or a Rural Health Unit, conducting house visits to assist the Barangay Health Workers or working along medical students and residents to promote preventative health within the communities of Cavite. There are many opportunities for shaping an itinerary to skills or interests, as FIMRC’s goal is to provide every volunteer a memorable, worthwhile experience that will leave lasting impressions about healthcare in developing communities.

Housing

Volunteers are housed through in FIMRC’s guesthouse, allowing for safe group accommodations. You’ll have the chance to live within the community and experience the true Filipino lifestyle! The guesthouse has been chosen to be as comfortable as possible in a rural community – you can expect modern amenities with some rural flare!

Meals

Three meals are provided each day. The meals tend to be traditional Filipino food and often include a mix of rice and protein. A vegetable or salad is also often served on the side. As a volunteer, you are responsible for the purchase of meals during any time spent away from Cavite or when conducting activities outside of the volunteer schedule.

Transportation

All transportation is provided by comfortable and reputable hired drivers with outstanding safety records. Upon arrival at the Manila airport, volunteers are met by a staff member or representative of FIMRC. Based on flight schedules, volunteers may spend a night in FIMRC approved accommodations on arrival or prior to your departure. FIMRC arranges all transportation from Manila to Cavite, as well as transportation back to the airport at the conclusion of the volunteer mission. Once in Cavite, we provide necessary transportation between the guesthouse and volunteering locations when necessary.

Cost

• $1,499 for trips of two weeks, $695 per week thereafter

Additional Costs

• Roundtrip airfare generally ranging between $600-$1300
• Recommended spending money of $150 per week, at the discretion of the volunteer