Become a Global Health Volunteer in Nicaragua!

This was my first medical mission trip and it truly was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the FIMRC staff and the community we served. Some of my favorite memories from the trip were the visits into the schools, going into the community to do diabetic and pre-natal home visits, shadowing the pediatrician who travels from Rivas, and of course all of the delicious meals!! FIMRC does a great job with carrying out their mission and it is easy to tell how much they have impacted the community through Project Limón. The staff is truly passionate for what they do and it is a really positive atmosphere to be in. Something that I thought was really neat was that in the group of 12 I was in, everyone was studying something different back at their schools- and they were not just wanting to go into health-related fields. As a nursing major, I, of course thought that everything I was able to do and see was unforgettable and I loved learning day-by-day through the people we were serving. Some of the friends I made on the trip in the group, who were studying business, education, and others, got just as much out of this experience as I had! My point is, this trip can really be for anyone!! The people in Nicaragua were by far some of the kindest and most giving people I have ever encountered. I learned a lot about global healthcare, a lot about a country I had previously never been to, and a lot about myself through this wonderful experience. My goal for my next trip with FIMRC is to learn Spanish and I already can't wait!! I would highly recommend Project Limón in Nicaragua to anyone,

Seeing how FIMRC has made differences in the access to care for children is so inspiring. Jessica and Delaney have done a great job involving the community, too! I especially enjoyed working with the community through the home visits. It was a great way to understand the culture and see the barriers to healthcare the community must deal with. My other favorite activity was interacting with the kids at Los Pipitos. They're so wonderful to be around, and it's a great project! Also, I absolutely loved my homestay. Getting to know the family was an experience I'll never forget.

I'm excited to see the new projects the group is working on to get underway. It was a great reminder what we can do for our world and our fellow humans.

The FIMRC Nicaragua site was an incredible place. It is amazing that a place with so little can offer so much. The whole community was friendly and seemed genuinely happy to have us visit. During the diabetes program, we were able to walk into people's homes and perform blood pressure and blood sugar tests without anyone feeling uncomfortable. The community does not have much, but that doesn't affect their attitudes. Every person I interacted with made me feel like I was actually helping and was a part of the program. I have never been on a mission trip before and this one truly changed my life. I am so happy with my choice to work with FIMRC at this particular site. The staff had a lot to do with my positive experience. Jess, Delaney,Anthony, and Sheyla were awesome. They all truly cared about the community we worked in and were devoted to making it a better place. Learning from them was such a unique experience, it was really eye opening to hear from people who were living and experiencing this journey first hand. This trip has made me more aware of how lucky we are in the U.S. I would highly encourage anyone to work with this organization and travel abroad because it offers lesson that can be valuable to anyone. I can't wait to be back!

Where to even begin? The week I spent in Nicaragua with FIMRC was one of the most heartwarming and eye-opening experiences I have ever encountered. From teaching children in their schools and educating people in their own houses to helping a pediatrician and observing a clinic and hospital, I could not have asked for a more diverse and educating visit. The relationships and bonds my group and I created with the communities we visited will never be replaced. With the help of the amazing FIMRC staff, I truly felt I was making a difference, even if that difference just impacted a little girl for a few moments. I highly, highly, highly suggest anyone who is interested in helping others to visit FIMRC's Project Limon site! The visit will change the way you view the world and truly turn your perspective of poverty, health care, and love in a different direction.

It was my first mission trip: I really loved Nicaragua and the program, but I think they should have informed us about the alternative plan. We were not informed that our visit to local schools before the trip, and they informed us that the school is on vacation once we arrived, so we had alternative schedule. We gave diabetes presentations, met local communities, visited hospitals, interacted with kids in the hot spring, went to Granada, and went to zip lining. The sanctuary is very safe and all the staff are nice. We had lot of free time in the afternoon to visit the beach right next to the sanctuary, which is beautiful! After one year, I miss the food and the people.

My medical trip lasted two weeks in August 2013. I was there alongside three other pre-medical students at my university.

The highlights of my trip included giving "charlas" (small chats with mothers/elementary school students) at the clinic and at different elementary schools, shadowing the local pediatrician twice a week, and experiencing how everyday life was like in rural Nicaragua. I was very surprised at the efficiency of the clinic, which is run by Jessica Southern, a registered nurse. It was very systematic, and usually, the student volunteers were given a task. I especially enjoyed shadowing the pediatrician and getting the "inside look"in the Nicaraguan lifestyle. The pediatrican was very complementary and translated the diagnosis and treatment plan to us, and it was cool to see a good range of cases. In addition, we were able to eat at many different homes and see the condition of their living situation. It was good, because we definitely were able to see the problems that were facing the specific Nicaraguan community: diabetes (due to their high sugar intake), improper hygiene (due to the lack of clean water/accessibility to clean toilets and sinks), and the presence of insects/mosquitoes (which cause dengue fever).

There were also many challenges that were unexpected. The first week of my trip was very good, as it was just the four of us. We were given more responsibilities that allowed us to see how we could impact the community. However, the second week, five other people came in - which diminished our responsibilities. It soon became monotonous and routine -- nothing was new. Our activities were reduced to playing with the children and we had less of an opportunity to shadow the pediatrician (which was the main highlight of the trip).

Project Limon was a wonderful experience.During my visit, I enjoyed visiting the community, listening to their health concerns, and sharing my knowledge in the medical field with all the staff and other volunteers. I feel 1 week is not enough! There's a lot to learn, discover and enjoy in this amazing country especially in this community surrounded by beautiful and welcoming individuals. I cannot express in words how lucky I was to work with Jessica and Martha. I hope I can come back one day and bring more help to a community.