Here at FIMRC, we believe that each individual can make a contribution, no matter what his or her background might be. 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.

Undergraduates and Non-health Professionals:

Perhaps the most important facet of FIMRC’s Global Health Volunteer Program is Project Health Education. 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.

Finally, all of our 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.

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.

FIMRC encourages all of its volunteers to undertake a Goods Drive before their mission. If the volunteers have already committed to collecting supplies to address their specific health project, further collections of items not related to a group’s project are not necessary.

Health Professionals:

At each of its mission locations, FIMRC has set up a clinic or center in which patients can receive care. The primary activity of doctors and nurses 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.

FIMRC relies on these volunteers to act as investigators and advise the foundation on areas for improvement. We welcome your suggestions and comments once you return from you mission.