FIMRC

Insufficient income has a serious adverse effect on the general health and vitality of the population. During the civil war in the mid-1980s, El Salvador was among the countries of the Western Hemisphere most seriously affected by malnutrition. Today, the principal causes of death remain as gastroenteritis, influenza, malaria, measles, pneumonia, and bronchitis, caused or complicated by malnutrition, bad sanitation, and poor housing. Children are particularly vulnerable to health related issues caused by poverty including diarrhea, head lice, malnutrition, and bronchial infections.

The principal goals of our work in El Salvador include the following:

1. To establish an effective system for delivering acute and preventative healthcare to members of this underserved Salvadorian community;
2. Transition from a system of triage healthcare to one of preventive healthcare by implementing biannual well-child visits, and monitoring key health indicators for the entire community;
3. Decrease pediatric malnutrition and the number of underweight children in the community;
4. Curb the devastating spread of common endemic disease caused by preventable microbial infections; and
5. Promote and sustain health education programs, focusing on pediatric and maternal health.

Project Las Delicias currently welcomes volunteers traveling individually or in groups of up to 30. Our volunteer program operates year-round, so please contact us with the dates you would like to travel and we will do our best to accommodate you!

Volunteers will work with FIMRC field staff and other local organizations to work toward the goals of our community health initiatives. Volunteers will typically spend half the day at the clinic site, working with the clinic doctor and staff to see patients. After lunch, volunteers will run health education lessons and perform house calls throughout the community. Volunteers can help select themes for health lessons such as hygiene, nutrition or disease prevention. FIMRC is conducting an ongoing project of collecting basic statistics from the community such as family size, previous healthcare and treatment and nutrition. Volunteers can participate in collecting this information and developing initial assessments of pressing healthcare needs.

FIMRC is currently launching a Micro- Health Insurance Project for families in Las Delicias, and are delighted to engage volunteers in our efforts to expand this project to the entire community. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to visit the local healthcare facilities such as the malnourished center and the public hospital.

Volunteers wil stay in the Hotel Posada Del Rey Primero in a safe part of San Salvador. The hotel has running water, hot showers, telephone access and internet access. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel each morning. Volunteers are responsible for purchasing lunch and dinner. Upon your arrival, you will receive a list from FIMRC staff of reputable, safe food vendors in the area of the hotel.

Transportation will be provided by a reputable private driving service which our staff have used since the inception of Project Las Delicias.

The hotel has gate security 24 hours a day. Volunteers do not use any public transportation. Vans are hired for daily transportation needs. Additionally, volunteers travel as a group between the project site and the hotel.

Volunteers drink only bottled water and all fruits and vegetables are washed with a safe solution of iodine and bottled water. We recommend that volunteers refrain from purchasing food or drink on the street as it may cause sickness.

In case of a medical emergency FIMRC refers to the US Embassy list of recommended doctors at http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/consular/english/acs/doctorslist.html” The Hospital Diagnostico Escalon is considered to be among the best medical centers in the country.

The vaccination requirements change from year to year, based on the health situation of the country. Please refer to the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for updates on outbreaks and vaccination suggestions via www.cdc.gov.

The U.S. Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad at www.elsalvador.org and look up visa requirements.

The following are costs payable to FIMRC for a volunteer mission in El Salvador:

• Program donation:
• $699 per week during peak months (January, March, May, June, July)
• $599 per week during semi-peak months (February, August, September, December)
• $499 per week during off-peak months (April, October, November)
• Housing/Breakfast/Transport: $450 per week

Note: Program donations are determined based on the date of departure as it relates to peak, semi-peak and off-peak periods.

The following are additional estimated costs:

• Airfare: $400-$600 depending on travel dates & season
• Spending money: $150 (minimum recommended amount for in country for miscellaneous daily expenses during your trip)

Long-term placements are negotiable.

The Project Las Delicias Team

The following staff members have been essential in establishing the El Salvador initiative. To contact a team member with further questions please email info@fimrc.org.

Meredith Mick
Field Operations Manager, Project Las Delicias

Meredith handles all logistical FIMRC issues in El Salvador, and works closely with clinic staff, community members, and the volunteers to maximize the impact of the clinic in the community.

Hector Suncin
Clinic Doctor

Hector is an integral part of the staff at Project Las Delicias and is the clinical doctor as well as medical supply coordinator.

Stacy Wallick
VP of Project Development
Member, Board of Directors

Stacy is a member of the FIMRC board of directors who has been central to the establishment of Project Las Delicias, including doing the initial site visit and project development.

Sara Schoenleber
VP of Volunteer Programs, Global Health Volunteer Program

Sara is presently the main coordinator for the Global Health Volunteer Program, handling all stateside logistical issues. Sara is responsible for the coordination of volunteers prior to departure and management of volunteers worldwide.

If you are interested in volunteering at this site, please email missions@fimrc.org.