Project Limón
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, creating a population susceptible to a number of health problems. Malnutrition, communicable diseases and inadequate basic sanitation are all present, but the health profile also includes high rates of chronic and degenerative diseases, traffic accidents and violence.
Where
Limón is located approximately 120km from the capital city of Managua in the department of Rivas. The community is located on the Pacific Ocean.
Why
While development has occurred in the Limón area due to the picturesque scenery and increase in tourism, locals are still left without access to quality healthcare and specialty services.
How
We started house-to-house with an extensive community diagnostic. We built our programs around the needs of the community. We built our clinic in the Casa de Refugio. We live and breath healthcare in the Limón area to better serve our patients.
Our Work
After an extensive analysis of the community and the identified needs, we have built trust and worked to fully integrate ourselves into the community. We listen to the families in Limón, Las Salinas and the surrounding areas and have therefore established programs based on this knowledge and our relationships. With the support of our volunteers, we dedicate our resources to three main areas of focus: pediatric clinical services, health education and special initiatives. Below are a few examples of our work at Project Limón.
Access
- Pediatric Health Program
- Women's Health Program
- Pharmacy operations
Education
- Prenatal house visits
- Diabetes club education
- Childhood development in schools
Participation
- "Los Pipitos" developmental program
- Community nutritional garden
- Diabetic nutritional counseling
Volunteer
Project Limón provides a unique experience for volunteers, all of whom contribute to the current needs and initiatives on-site. The remote, tropical environment allows for volunteers to truly immerse themselves in a small, picturesque community. Whether you're giving a training on reproductive health to local schoolteachers, teaching diabetics how to test their blood sugar, or spending the afternoon taking vital signs in the clinic, your efforts allow us to better serve the residents of Limón and the surrounding communities.
All volunteers have the opportunity to participate in both the clinical and health education aspects of operations on-site, and activities can range from participating in home visits for pregnant women to observing the pediatrician.
Over the course of your trip you'll receive an unfiltered experience in health care field work abroad, and learn about the tremendous impact that even one person can have. At our end, so as to maximize your contribution, we will tailor your experience based on current needs, your interests, training, and amount of time that you spend with us on-site in Limón.
Want to volunteer in Limón in the future? Fill out the form below to get in touch with us and let us know you’re interested, and we’ll keep you posted!
"I really enjoyed my volunteer experience! At the clinic I was able to interact with all the women and children that came to the clinic, take vitals and give developmental tests, and shadow the pediatrician that comes three times a week. Outside of the clinic I was able to go on home visits for the prenatal program, the malnutrition program, the diabetic program, and los piptidos, the special needs programs. Overall I loved getting to experience a diverse amount of work and really get some hands on experience."
- Maureen B.
