FAQs

Where in the Philippines will the medical mission take place?

Our service area is in northern Bohol. Our mobile clinics will serve five communities in Clarin, Sagbayan, and Buenavista municipalities. For 2024, we are partnering with local surgeons to perform elective major surgeries (cholecystectomies, hernia repair, etc.) on indigent patients from these three municipalities.

What is the itinerary?

The Medical Mission (not counting the optional Cultural Immersion) is ten days. The departure date from the US is on or before 16 April 2024. There are three days of team building, orientation, and beach time (to shake off jet lag) followed by five clinic days, during which we serve a different community daily for those assigned to mobile clinics or five days in the OR for those assigned to do elective major surgeries. Volunteers may fly back to the US or stay for three to five extra days to join an optional Cultural Immersion trip starting 25 April.

What type of volunteers are needed?

Priority is given to healthcare providers (aka medical volunteers) such as doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, techs, etc. Non-medical volunteers are welcome to join if they are willing to learn basic clinic-related tasks. Minors (below 18 years) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What positions are available for non-medical volunteers?

There are several positions for non-medical volunteers, including students: (1) data encoders to enter patient information into our database and to track supplies and medications, (2) pharmacy and supply aids to assist pharmacy staff with medication packing, arranging, and tracking, (3) mission site coordinators to perform daily set up and clean up of the various service areas, (4) ushers to help with patient flow and manage communication in and around the mission site, (5) education assistants to help our public health educators with their community training sessions and lectures, (6) photographers and videographers to help with documentation for our media releases.

What is provided for transportation, lodging, and meals?

Our local partner organization provides basic needs for this all-inclusive humanitarian mission trip: (1) airport pick-up and drop-off from either Cebu Mactan International Airport (CEB) or Tagbilaran Panglao International Airport (TAG) and daily trips to clinics and other sites by land or sea, (2) shared lodging at the Home Base (private hotel rooms are also available), (3) meals and non-alcoholic beverages.

How much does it cost?

There are three specific costs: (1) International Airfare (including trip and travel medical insurance), (2) Medical Mission Fee, and (3) the optional Cultural Immersion.

International Airfare - Please check Google Flights to monitor prevailing round-trip airfare. Use airport code CEB for Cebu Mactan International Airport, with a departure date of 16 or 17 April 2024 and a return date of 28 or 29 April 2024. You are responsible for booking and paying for your airfare and trip/travel medical insurance.

The Medical Mission Fee - This flat fee covers everything you need from arrival in the country on 16 or 17 April to 25 April, including transportation, lodging, meals, and project-specific expenses such as meds and clinic supplies. Doctors and dentists = $1,460. Nurses, CNAs, interns/residents/fellows, and other medical worker = $1,168. Non-medical volunteers = $1,095. Students (including medical students) = $949. Adult tag-a-long = $876. Child tag-a-long =$657. There is a 20% discount for returning volunteers.

The Cultural Immersion - This is highly variable, depending primarily on where you are going. There are options for Cebu, Boracay, El Nido, Coron, and Siargao. This is best discussed with our Travel Coordinator.

Can I fundraise for some of the costs?

Yes, but only to cover for your Medical Mission Fee. Our administrator will contact you personally for guidance if you are interested. Fundraising is usually done during the Holiday Season. Tag-a-longs are prohibited to fundraise.

How do we pay for the Medical Mission Fee?

You can pay it in full or monthly installments through our payment portal.

What is our refund policy for the Medical Mission Fee?

For funds you paid yourself, you may choose to do a 100% credit towards the next medical mission trip or a refund minus a service charge of 3.49%. For donated funds, you will automatically get 100% credit toward the next medical mission. Publicly sourced funds can not be refunded even if you raised the money.

Can I bring non-volunteering family (tag-a-longs) with me?

Although we do not encourage larger groups of non-volunteers, bringing tag-a-longs, such as your kids, spouse, parents, etc., is possible. We understand that volunteers may want to have some family with them. Space at our Home Base is limited. Thus, larger parties may need to book hotels separately. Also, you cannot use fundraised money for any item related to their trip.