Here at FIMRC, we believe that each individual can make a contribution regardless of background or experience. We have therefore developed a number of activities suitable for volunteers with a wide variety of backgrounds. The activities described below are examples of the types of projects undertaken by volunteers of different skill levels; these guidelines are certainly not rigid, and the activity list is by no means exhaustive. Furthermore, we are committed to helping you identify which type of mission activity will most suit your background and interests. In addition to the specific activities described below, most of our volunteers also assist with other tasks as needed in order to maintain the smooth functioning of FIMRC's clinics and projects.

We always welcome individual volunteers to travel with us. Our sites in El Salvador, Uganda, and Costa Rica are best equipped to provide an enriching volunteer experience to volunteers traveling individually. As site placements are in very high demand, it is very rare for our sites to be hosting only one volunteer at any given time. For this reason, if you travel as an individual you will most likely be volunteering with other individuals or groups volunteering for the same time period.

All volunteers are encouraged to undertake a Goods Drive before their missions. Depending on where the volunteers travel on their missions, FIMRC's Program Managers for the various locations will help identify what goods are in highest demand at that time. Common needs are vitamins, clothing, shoes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and over-the-counter medications. Part of the mission will be spent distributing these goods to the community as necessary.

Information about individual missions: We always welcome individual volunteers to travel with us. Our sites in El Salvador, Uganda, and Costa Rica are best equipped to provide an enriching volunteer experience to volunteers traveling individually. As site placements are in very high demand, it is very rare for our sites to be hosting only one volunteer at any given time. For this reason, if you travel as an individual you will most likely be volunteering with other individuals or groups volunteering for the same time period.

Health Professionals:

Our sites currently have a great need for skilled medical professionals. At each of our mission locations, FIMRC has set up a clinic or center in which patients can receive care. The primary activity of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who travel to these mission sites is to participate in the management of children with acute health issues as well as conduct well child visits and prenatal care. FIMRC's clinics are stocked with basic medical supplies and charting systems have been developed to maintain continuity of care. In addition to seeing children in the clinics, health professionals can travel into the community to provide care as needed as we periodically set up mobile clinics.

FIMRC relies on the input and expertise of our medical volunteers to advise the foundation on areas for improvement. We welcome your suggestions and comments once you return from you mission.

Medical Students and Public Health Graduate Students:

Because of the wide variety of health issues facing the communities we serve, FIMRC is not able to address every issue simultaneously. We therefore rely on our volunteers who have a background in health and medicine to tackle these problems one by one. With the help of our Program Managers, our medical student and public health student volunteers identify a specific health issue facing the community in which they will be working, research the problem, and attempt to identify an attainable solution. Usually, this solution requires obtaining prescription or over-the-counter medications, with which FIMRC will assist our volunteers. Upon arrival at the mission location, these volunteers will assess the situation and distribute the medications or implement the solution as they see fit.

Additionally, medical students and other health students assist in the creation and maintenance of patient charts. FIMRC maintains a chart on each child seen in a FIMRC clinic in an effort to keep track of what care a child receives and when he or she receives it. By keeping extensive records on our patients, we are able to make diagnoses often requiring more than a one-time visit. Close monitoring also allows for repetitive acute visits to be replaced by regular well child visits. Furthermore, by analyzing information from the charting system FIMRC is able to identify more efficient treatment of newly discovered endemic diseases. Depending on where and when the volunteers perform their mission, the charting system will be in various stages of development.

Undergraduates and Non-health Professionals:

One of the most important facets of FIMRC's Global Health Volunteer Program is our Health Education project. Undergraduate student volunteers and non-health professional volunteers carry out health education seminars for both children and their parents. Examples of seminar topics include dental hygiene, nutrition, the human body, cleanliness, and smoking and alcohol.

In addition to carrying out these seminars, undergraduate and non-health professionals can work with the Project Health Education Program Manager to assist in the development of a curriculum addressing issues in which they are interested or have a background. New curricula are constantly being developed as FIMRC and its volunteers identify new health concerns and areas for improvement.

There are numerous volunteering opportunities within the clinics as well. Logistical or administrative help is always welcomed in the clinic offices. Volunteers also have the opportunity to partake in medically related activities including shadowing doctors and taking patients' medical histories.