Volunteer in a Medical Mission for Free

iHelpglobally is by far the best thing I ever chose to do. I have been on two trips with them to Peru (September 2013) and Guatemala (March 2015) and each trip was extremely unique and rich in both the experiences and the friends I made. I was one of the volunteers on iHelpglobally's second or third trips ever and I was absolutely amazed how unbelievably organized the entire trip was. As a pre-health student, I have a lot of friends who have travelled through various organizations and it seems like my experience was one of the best and I can't wait to see how this organization will grow!

I got to put a lot of what I learned in class to actual use and I loved getting to dust off my Spanish. Everyone on the trip from the people we work with to the people we serve, is incredibly kind and compassionate and I've never felt so accepted. The service time is balanced with just the right amount of excursions. The excursions are incredibly fun and unique and ranged from sand boarding to camping to exploring caves. I cannot wait to go on another trip with iHelpglobally!

This was an amazing experience. I had the goal of attending medical outreach like this when I become a physician in the future, but I could not have known how medical outreach really was until I went to this trip with iHelpGlobally. This trip solidified my decision of becoming a physician and servicing people who need healthcare. Touring Peru with half of the time seeing patients gave me a new perspective of healthcare in underserved area and what public health problems needs to be solved. The providers are very helpful and engaging with students and patients at the same time. It was both educational and impactful.

Become friends with people who aren't your age. Hangout with people whose first language isn't the same as yours. Get to know someone who doesn't come from your social class. This is how you can see the world. This is how you grow. - Unknown

Every time I encounter this quote I think of my two trips to Peru with iHelp Globally. As a pharmacist, it is my job to keep the people in my community healthy and happy. Traveling to Peru in 2014 and 2015 not only allowed me to continue the work I love, but it gave me the opportunity to show a younger generation how easy it is to make a big difference in the world.

I will be the first to admit that these missions with iHelp Globally were somewhat selfish on my part. The travel and experiences are unforgettable. I love to travel with those who know the land, know the people. Also, I have to admit that planning and completing a trip like this rejuvenates my soul. When I see how little it takes to bring healthcare to a neighborhood in need, I feel recharged to take on all the obstacles at my home and workplace. Every clinic day, I welcomed the next challenge, knowing that as a group, we could overcome anything through brainstorming and with our imagination. I hope these days didn't discourage the other members but inspired them as well.

Traveling this way make me feel young and alive! Volunteering and mentoring gives me purpose and makes me feel grateful for everyday. Thank you iHelp Globally!

I didn't quite know what to expect when I signed up for the program, but I'm incredibly glad that I went! I learned so much about healthcare in rural communities, met very talented healthcare providers, and made an amazing group of friends. Not to mention learning Spanish on the spot. IHG has taught me that even the smallest actions we take to help people in need can leave a profound impact, which I personally experienced each day in my interactions with our patients, seeing their smiles and hearing "gracias!" I hope to return again one day as a healthcare provider and make an even greater impact (:

I traveled with IHG for the first time in 2012 while I was a student at UCLA and considering making the transition from studying anthropology to a career in medicine. I went for several reasons: to travel, to experience different cultures, and to see if I was cut our for the medical field.
Starting from the moment I stepped off the plane, I had an amazing experience whether I was boding with new teammate, learning how to take vital signs, or interacting with patients. After that first week in Lima, I knew that I had found my calling and when I got home, I began the transition to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
I encourage anyone who is interested in the medical field, to make this trip. I guarantee it will change your life for the better.

My time with iHelp Globally was truly an eye-opening and humbling experience. My trip consisted of 8 days in the Peruvian Amazon visiting the villages of San Francisco, San Juan, and Aguaytia. For the first couple of days, our group was given workshops in taking vitals, understanding Spanish phrases, and analyzing lab specimens among other things. We also engaged in recreational activities such as fishing for piranhas, spotting pink dolphins, and playing soccer with local kids. The trip consisted of volunteer work at two clinics and an orphanage where we were able to meet the locals and provide them with basic medical care. One of my favorite memories from the trip was when we passed out DIY balloons from plastic gloves to the children. These "balloons" made them so happy and their joy was infectious throughout the clinic. This is just one example of the many wonderful memories I have made with iHelp Globally and why a trip with them can be a life changing experience.

It has been an ambition of mine to take a more active role in providing medical care to developing countries. In the past, I have volunteered in global relief aid with the HelpingHands organization (donating to earthquake and flood victims). However, iHelp Globally offered a more medically driven volunteering opportunity and a “doctors without borders” type of interaction and experience that I always wanted to partake in as a physician.

On a hectic yet exciting day in the Emergency Department as a Medical Scribe, I checked my email to find out that I was chosen to receive the IHG scholarship! Within the next few days, I was getting the proper vaccinations for travel and getting my passport renewed. The last time I had even left the country was to the Dutch West Indies for medical school several years ago. I bough the ticket: my dream was actually becoming a reality! Before I knew it, I was boarding the plane. I was anxious to get to my destination to set up the medical clinic for the patients. With only one layover in Texas and several hours later, I looked through the airplane window, and I could see through the clouds: We were slowly descending into Peru, South America! I was traveling to a country I always wanted to visit. I was passionate to serve Peru clinically because of their friendly people, rich culture, colors, music, food, and breathtaking natural scenery. More specifically I admire the amazing art, architecture, poetry, literature, civil rights and political history beautifully preserved and celebrated in the district of Barranco.

We began our journey in Miraflores, which is a very modern, hip and up to date mini-metropolis. Everyone was pleasant and kind, from the Peruvian city folk to visitors like my fellow clinic team members, mentors, and Spanish translators. I went out onto the balcony of our hostel and I saw people doing Zumba in the street. I came to find out that there is a health awareness movement going on known as Rejuvenate Peru, where all throughout the city everyone participated in physical activity such as walking, running, biking, skating, soccer, Zumba, dance, and salsa. I saw Spinning Classes and fitness centers with swimming pools, tennis courts and racquetball. I thought to myself: There are doctors’ offices and clinics here, quaint little pharmacies or "Mi Farmacia" and has all the medical care and facilities like any big city.... What medical assistance could they need? Did I come to the right place??

The next day, early in the morning, the team of student volunteers, pharmacists, physicians and clinic staff piled up into a van with all our suitcases full of medical aid.

We head out towards the mountains and desert like areas. The big buildings and fancy brand name stores of Miraflores are no longer seen within our vicinity. Houses are made of stone slabs and huge bricks in the middle of deserts with no other buildings and not much else. You can tell these communities are less developed. It becomes clear, we are now going to serve those that are less fortunate and do not have the same financial resources and modern advancements like cities and districts such as Miraflores, Magdalena Del Mar, and Barranco. We have entered Callao (a relatively long drive from where our hostel was comfortably and conveniently located).

The history of our patient population in itself was interesting and important to learn about. The patients were families of refugees that were displaced and started to make a home here during the political discourse and land struggle between Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. The residents of Callao are sort of the forgotten people that had to leave everything behind in their original homes and land because of the wars and political turmoil. Although that was many years ago, they currently do not get the best of health care, education, jobs or funding from the government. For example, a common person in Callao does not have any available plans for regular visits with primary care physicians to manage his or her diabetes or hypertension, and has a limited access to medicine.

It truly broke my heart when I learned many families with small children in this area did not have access to clean running water that is free of lead and coal deposits, as the Chilean mining trains would run through the town. In fact, every time I would listen to heart and lungs with my stethoscope, I would have to time it perfectly to when the trains would not be coming through. The trains ran through so often making loud noise and apparently dropping harmful substances into the air, water, and environment. I made a poignant effort to educate them about covering their water well with a seal to prevent the lead deposits ending up in the water, boiling the water and filtering it before drinking it to reduce the level of contaminants, minerals, bacteria, and parasites.

As clinic leader, I was motivated to keep the flow of the clinic going smoothly from history and physicals to vital signs to diagnostic screening and counseling. I was able to encounter, help diagnose and treat a wide variety of infections such us tinea versicolor, scabies, abscesses, chalazion, stye, strep throat, other cutaneous fungal infections, urinary tract infections under the supervision of licensed Peruvian medical providers. I remember from microbiology that Malesia furfur was a common fungal cutaneous infection in South America.

Reflecting on this journey, it was an eye opener and humbling experience. I quickly realized how truly blessed I am. I thought about the hospitals in the U.S. and how lucky we are to have diagnostic tests like x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs readily available. We did our best to provide the best health service we could, regardless of not having the advanced technology. With the help of the Spanish language translators (who played a significant role), and under the guidance of the Peruvian physicians, the clinic volunteers and staff leaders of iHelp Globally tended to an exceptionally high volume of patients in a timely manner. The people of Callao were always smiling, laughing, and amicable. I will never forget the patients and how welcoming, appreciative, and understanding they were of our efforts.

The most memorable moments included playing with the children: The running and playing kept them busy. We offered stickers, puppets, bubbles, coloring books, and little toys... which kept the environment lighthearted even though it could get stressful when the patient volume picked up. You wanted to give each patient the highest quality of care. It was challenging yet exciting to maintain the balance and flow of the clinic.
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At the end of the journey it was the family bond I made with the fellow clinic volunteers that made that experience even more memorable. We were all one unit coming together for one goal: To help others, and to give back to humanity for all the things we have been blessed with. It was an adventure we all shared together... a great memory and lifechanging experience. I got to do yoga, run and walk on the beach, meditate, free my mind, be around nature, swim, ride bikes through the city, sandboard, sand dune riding, and enjoy Peruvian food!! I hope to volunteer again through iHelp Globally after completing my medical residency as I want to continue to contribute to a loving and deserving community! Thank you iHelp Globally!

Imran Hasnuddin, MD
Lima, Peru
Graduate of: University of St. Eustatius School of Medicine/American University of Integrative Sciences at St. Maarten

This program really broadened my horizons. Before iHelp Globally, I was really closed minded about what life was like outside of the US. Going to cities in Central and South America helped me to find a motivation and drive to help more people. Meeting new people and getting amazing hands on experience is just a small part of what the program has to offer. I have been lucky enough to go on two trips so far and I am very excited for my next opportunity. Both Peru and Guatemala are amazing countries and they both have so much to offer. iHelp Globally is the perfect way to balance a fun trip with a great cause and the program really changed me.