Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children

Volunteering with FIMRC has been an incredible experience! I have not only been able to learn about the impact I could have on global health, but volunteering has also allowed me to meet and learn from amazing individuals. I have volunteered in person and virtually, and both experiences have allowed me to grow as an individual and professionally with regards to my journey in global health!

As the Internship Coordinator for the Department of Public Health Sciences at Clemson University, the pandemic posed some very daunting challenges to provide meaningful internship opportunities for students in the department. Since our students are required to complete an internship of 180 hours, I had to come up with a plan. I happened to come across the FIMRC Fellowship program and thought it wouldn't hurt to contact FIMRC and see if we could tailor an internship with their international partners that would meet the needs of some of my interns. Beginning in May 2020, Jessica Southern, Vice President of Central Relations for FIMRC, and I spoke by phone at least once a week to plan out a syllabus and 9 week internship for the fall of 2020. Jessica was able to work with me to craft an internship program with 10 different countries and provide projects that students could work on to help with important work within a country. To date, twenty students have participated in this program and they have all felt it was an enriching and positive experience. I have been more than satisfied with her attentiveness to my students and me and have felt that even in difficult times, my students who participated were well served and learned a great deal . I highly recommend FIRMC and know they perform very important work in the countries they serve and provide students the opportunity to make a difference.

I volunteered virtually at FIMRC for a month during my summer and it was one of the most life changing experiences I’ve ever had. I opted for the Virtual Health Fellowship where I got to observe live clinical rounds, participate in discussions about public health issues in the different FIMRC sites and help contribute to a project that would be used later on. I absolutely loved the community FIMRC has built and how warm and welcoming everyone was. The clinical rounds were definitely one of the highlights of my experience as they allowed to get first-hand experience into what it means to help communities with medical relief; the pharmacy round was one of my favourites because I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of interacting with the locals and helping as best as I could. FIMRC’s work is quite commendable and it is evident by the amount of work they put in, that this is a cause that each and every member of the foundation feels very strongly about. It was extremely inspiring to see their dedication and drive towards achieving their goal and helping as many people, and definitely motivated me to try and do my part, hopefully by volunteering with FIMRC again.

I volunteered virtually with FIMRC's "Virtual Global Health Volunteer Experience." It is a wonderful program and I learned a lot about promoting global health as I created presentations, activities, quizzes and infographics to help people know how to prevent relevant diseases.

It was absolutely our pleasure to contribute to your organization and be part of our national and international community.

I learnt a lot during this excellent volunteer opportunity. This invaluable experience will help me further focus my future life.

I had a wonderful experience working with you guys this spring. Your dedication and passion for the under served communities are unmatched.

Thank you for your labor of love.

Hello,

I’m Ali, a qualified doctor and practicing ophthalmologist in the UK.

I joined FIMRC in July 2021 as virtual fellow in global health, that was a completely new role for me apart from some community health placements back in medical school.

But, this experience is different , is unique, and is fascinating.

I was lucky to find FIMRC as I didn’t think I would find such supportive family-like health setting that enabled me to explore different aspects of health care in parts of the world that I knew by the name only.

It gave me real opportunity to work with FIMRC workers to deliver health service in a completely different way amid the world’s recovery from a pandemic that killed many innocent people all over the world.

I felt the hard lives of those people and how FIMRC work and activities have changed those people lives, how FIMRC became a safe harbour for their vessels.

There was also ample opportunity to discuss various clinical cases whether for educational purposes or as enrichment of professional medical knowledge.

I was able to listen to their feelings, react to their hardship, and contribute to assist them.

The other positive aspect of the story, I realised there are very nice spots on earth that worths visiting whether as volunteer or for tourism.

I had also the chance to know and speak some words in Spanish which is a new language for me.

As a result of this experience I’m still in contact with FIMRC staff to explore any other ways to participate in their activities.

My name is Amanda and I am a high school student from New Jersey that participated in the FIMRC Global Health and Leadership Training program this summer. This program taught me a lot about the field of global health and completely opened my eyes up to an entire new area of work that I have never even considered before. In addition, this program showed me what an amazing organization FIMRC is and all the good they do for people in underdeveloped communities. Through learning all about FIMRC's different project sites in developing countries, learning about different healthcare occupations, reviewing case studies, and working on a volunteer project for a site in Costa Rica I really felt like this program did a lot for me. I would definitely recommend one of FIMRC's programs to anyone looking for ways to learn about healthcare and/or help people in need!

I enjoyed my virtual global health experience with FIMRC. Not only did I learn so much about global health, but I also had the opportunity to connect with knowledgable field operation managers and clinicians who are very passionate about their jobs. As part of my volunteer experience, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to my parents’ motherland, Dominican Republic, by creating a community presentation on breastfeeding using my nursing background and bilingual skills. I would highly recommend this program for those who are interested in public/global health!

The Virtual Global Health Fellowship introduced me to global health and inspired me to volunteer in medicine globally. Through the live discussions and site overviews, I was able to connect with FIMRC staff and other volunteers. I also gained clinical experience through the shadowing and case study discussions. The program being virtual did not take away from the learning experience. It was so well developed that it felt like learning in person. Not only did I learn about global health and FIMRC's goals but I also learned about the culture of Latin America through the fun activities. I am so thankful that FIMRC provides these wonderful opportunities to learn. I am excited to apply what I learned to my future endeavors in medicine.

Volunteering with FIMRC was one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever had. I learned so many invaluable skills in the hospital, the clinic, and from the community that I will continue to use as a future healthcare professional. FIMRC fueled my desire to serve global communities in any capacity I can, and gave me the tools I need to aid in public and global health initiatives for the rest of my career.

This was a really insightful and engaging experience; I learned so much about global health, as well as the community and medicinal aspects that play into it.

I was able to partake in the FIMRC 4-week Virtual Global Health Fellowship. This virtual fellowship exceeded all my expectations. I was able to work with a volunteer group to create female empowerment material for the Project Bududa site in Uganda. Also, throughout the fellowship I was able to interact with FIMRC staff and clinicians, who were all so knowledgable and compassionate. Being able to observe clinic/telehealth visits was also a very unique experience where I learned about clinical diagnoses but also about cultural practices and the emphasis on health education. I was most impressed with FIMRC's commitment to community development and ethical practices. This fellowship helped me solidify my passion to pursue a career in global health and I am so grateful to have had the chance to experience it with other volunteers from around the world!

As someone interested in the medical field, I loved the many opportunities the Health Leadership Training Program gave me. I was able to learn about global health in a unique way from people with first hand experience. From the comfort of home I learned about the culture, healthcare, and much more of many different places around the world. I was also able to speak with people to learn about their careers, and discuss cases with experts and peers. I was able to work with a group to help make real change at a site far away. It was an amazing experience that I would definitely recommend.

My experience at FIMRC was phenomenal as I was introduced and exposed to many aspects of the global health topic. Not only did I gain more knowledge in healthcare and global health, but learned about various communities around the world as well as was exposed to deeper knowledge within particular career pathways. I personally helped create an educational summer program for the primary school children in Project La Merced, Peru, participated in various discussions regarding the project sites in FIMRC, as well as case studies regarding common diseases, illnesses.

I LOVED my experience with FIMRC. Not only the passionate and devoted staff but also I love that I learned so much. I got knowledge on global health, international medicine and so much more that I never even heard about before this experience. The Virtual Global Health Fellowship really helped me to open my eyes on the world surrounding me and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I know for a fact that all the information I have learned will not only be helpful for my future studies and career, but also in order to be more aware of the situations and differences of different peoples all around the globe.

FIMRC stepped up very quickly and adapted to the rapidly evolving global pandemic situation by making both the Global Health Volunteer and Global Health Fellow opportunities available virtually. I was very impressed with the adaptability of the organization as well as the positive-mindedness of all the staff I interacted with. I participated in the virtual GH experience for two weeks in May - a week with Project Bududa (Uganda) and a week with Project Huancayo (Peru). The reading materials assigned and the videos made available as part of the "curriculum" were informative and engaging, although my favorite parts of the experience were the live discussions with in-country teams. I would recommend FIMRC's virtual GH volunteer opportunities to anyone that wants to continue learning about global health while contributing to the cause during these unprecedented times. Well done FIMRC!

I traveled to Project Alajuelita in Costa Rica for a week this past August. It was an amazing learning experience that taught me so much about how to implement sustainable medical care services with limited resources. Everyone at FIMRC Headquarters was so nice and helpful during each step of the planning journey. Once I arrived in Costa Rica, I was well taken care of by the permanent FIMRC staff there. Every detail, including housing, transportation, and even choices for optional travel opportunities, was taken care of ahead of time with no issues. Throughout the entire week, the host family, transportation drivers, and clinic staff were happy to help you and were easily one of the best parts of my trip. I highly recommend that if you are passionate about global health equity and want to make a difference to volunteer abroad with FIMRC :)

I traveled to Uganda with FIMRC in July 2017 through their SIHF (Summer International Health Fellowship) program. My four weeks there completely changed my outlook on medicine, outreach, and international healthcare. I think about my experience there every single day and miss it dearly! The FIMRC staff was so helpful and understanding when I was planning my trip. I wanted to find an organization that truly helped the people in their area by supporting the community. FIMRC in Uganda not only helped the community tremendously, but also hired people in the community at the clinic which I thought was absolutely awesome. There was constant support and love in the clinic with the Ugandan and FIMRC staff. Everyone wanted me to see and learn as much as possible. While there, with the help of the clinic staff I went on educational outreach missions, took vitals, assisted with malaria testing, shadowed in wound care, and saw my first birth. The ability to move around the clinic and see a variety of cases was great. Another point of flexibility was weekends: you decide what you want to do with your free time! Whether it's hiking or rafting the Nile, you have control of where you want to be. I truly formed deep bonds with everyone at the clinic and miss them dearly, you end up being like a family! You will grow out of your comfort zone in the best way possible. I recommend FIMRC to everyone I know who wants to do volunteer work abroad. You may come to give to others, but on the trip, you receive much more than you ever realize. After your trip, you can become a volunteer and help your FIMRC clinic from back home, it's awesome! Can't say enough good things about SIHF and FIMRC, and I hope to be back in Uganda with them in the future!

I just returned from my two-week volunteering trip to FIMRC's Project Kodaikanal in India. It was a truly a rewarding experience and I'm incredibly grateful for all that I learned! From start to finish FIMRC made the process very easy. Their team at headquarters answered all of my questions and provided me with all the information I needed for a safe and enjoyable experience. During my trip, I had the chance to shadow physicians, volunteer at a mobile medical camp for tribal villages, conduct a health education session for teen girls, and participate in weekly checkups for creche children. On the weekends, FIMRC helped us explore the area and participate in fun activities! Overall, I had a great time during my trip and would highly recommend FIMRC to anyone who is interested in volunteering and global health!

I had the opportunity to volunteer with FIMRC during their Summer International Health Fellowship, a 4 week program in the summer for pre-med college students, and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. From start to finish, the staff was very helpful in assisting me plan my trip and ensuring that I had the best opportunities and experiences while on site. I am so thankful for my experience in Peru and all the relationships that I built during my trip. I would highly recommend this organization to everyone!

I spent 8 weeks volunteering at FIMRC Project Bududa in Uganda and loved every aspect of the experience! As a volunteer with FIMRC, you are very involved with the site's day-to-day clinic operations as well as with health outreach trips, allowing you to develop wonderful relationships with the staff and communities in Bududa. As an individual interested in pursuing a career in global health, this experience was invaluable in that it helped me learn about the roles that direct clinical service and health education efforts play in providing proper healthcare to communities lacking it. Though this can be difficult at times, as you are witnessing health disparities firsthand, volunteering with FIMRC helps give a new perspective on sustainable global healthcare. Additionally, the staff, field operations manager, and other volunteers at FIMRC are exceptional in supporting and encouraging one another every day! Volunteers are also well provided for in the FIMRC guesthouse and by the guest house manager and FOM. FIMRC prioritizes ethical and meaningful service and Project Bududa gives volunteers a chance to have an impact through health education and support work with its various programs such as the Orphans and Vulnerable (OVC) program, which serves orphans, HIV positive children, and other vulnerable individuals, and the Post Test Club, a group of HIV positive adults. Overall, volunteering with FIMRC is incredible, transformative, and suitable for anyone seeking experience in global healthcare and the medical field.

I am a current senior at Roger Williams University and have been on two trips to Nicaragua through Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC). Taking some time to reflect after my trip last March and most recent trip in May, looking back I can say just how pleased I was with the FIMRC staff as well as members of the community I worked in. FIMRC staff really worked hand and hand with us, the volunteers, to learn and gain new knowledge about different medical terms and just about the community overall. Medical backgrounds are not necessarily needed. I am a criminal justice major however, I learned how to check blood sugar and pressure with the diabetic program, learned about different terms and body stages of someone who is pregnant through the prenatal program, assessed children with the pediatrician based on weight, height, and overall development, and I learned how to preform physical therapy and developmental assessments for children with both physical and mental disabilities through the Los Pipitos program. Our school brought medical supplies, extra clothing, and school supplies down to Nicaragua to donate to the FIMRC clinic as well as in the community. We distributed toothbrushes to the children because most of them did not know the importance of brushing their teeth and some of them could not afford them. The community members respond positively to the staff coming in to their homes and are open to volunteers coming in to learn as well.
I am very pleased with my past two trips and I can honestly say I am thankful for my experiences I have had because through the education by the staff and just experiencing the different cultures has helped me shape who I am.
The FIMRC staff not only in the community is helpful but the staff behind the scenes is as well. Whether I needed a list of donators or had a question regarding my trip, the staff was always able to help with the issues and questions as soon as possible. I recommend this non-profit to those looking to volunteer or to just donate and continue to help FIMRC grow.

A current senior, I started FIMRC my freshman year of college and it has forever changed my life. This is such an amazing organization that actually changes the world. One thing I really do love about this organization is the actual impact that is visible at their sites. Yes, their work is long term and never ending, but you can also see how well the people in the areas respond to them and the work they are doing.
While volunteering for them a total of 4 weeks, I have only begun to love them more and more. The staff is hard working, and extremely dedicated, something that is visible every second of every day.
FIMRC makes a difference like no other organization that I have ever seen, and I am genuinely so lucky to be a part of it. It has taught me that anyone can be a helping hand to someone in need despite the odds that are against you. I have reassured my faith in the world through this organization and the amazing people I have met in it, and it is safe to say that FIMRC will be a part of me for the rest of my life.

FIMRC is an organization that has truly changed my life! Before my first FIMRC trip to the Dominican Republic I had no idea what to do with my life. After the trip I realized Public Health was the field for me. Then my second trip only reassured me so. I have met so many amazing people through my FIMRC trips. It has given me the opportunity to use my language skills and help better my knowledge of Public Health issues and asses patients to the best of my capability. Working alongside these amazing doctors at the FIMRC clinic was the best experience I could ask for. I am so grateful for these experience and those to come.

I have traveled with FIMRC on three occasions, once to El Salvador and twice to the Dominican Republic on week-long trips. Each experience far exceeded my expectations. The US staff is incredibly organized and helps you feel prepared prior to departure. Staff on site in each country were also very well prepared for our arrival and had tasks pre-planned for us. Each site offered a variety of volunteer options! There were clinical opportunities to shadow physicians, and public health outreach within the communities. Health fairs and presentations were conducted and I was able to see how FIMRC is bringing health education to those who need it most. I would highly reccommend traveling with FIMRC if you are interested in helping to better the health status of those in the developing world.

I've traveled with FIMRC to El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, and both sites offered great experiences that I have since used in my medical education. FIMRC's focus on preventive medicine and sustainability make for a positive experience while on site, but also the comfort of knowing there will be a long-lasting impact after the departure of volunteers. While in country, I gained valuable shadowing experience, but also found ways to relate to people whose cultures are vastly different from mine, which has been even more important in the pursuit of my medical education in the USA.

I have gone to El Salvador and Costa Rica, and they were both great experiences. In Costa Rica, I was able to evaluate a community's living conditions and observe the doctor. In El Salvador, we gave a presentation to students in a little community about the value of vitamins. We also did eye checks in the local school. The organization also did a very good job of making sure that the group I was with had activities to do when we weren't helping out in the clinic. I can't wait to go to Central America again this Spring Break

I went to El Salvador last spring break on a mission with FIMRC and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm a pre-med student, so to be able to not only travel and experience a new culture, but also to help out actively with the health of the community was an amazing experience. We did so much in so little time: conduct vision checks at a local school, go on house calls, create a vitamin campaign for children that were malnourished due to mud slides that cut off the community, help out with world’s first non-monetary model of health insurance, etc. We were there to work, but FIMRC made sure we had opportunities to explore the country too. We were able to hike up a beautiful volcano, see Mayan ruins, and spend an afternoon at a lake. Highly recommend! Heading on another FIMRC trip this year.

I have spent my last two spring breaks traveling with FIMRC to Nicaragua and El Salvador. I must say that FIMRC offers one of the most unique and flexible travel schedules for college students. They make every effort to accommodate their volunteers! My experiences at both FIMRC locations were wonderful! I was able to gain extensive knowledge about the healthcare systems in both countries, and was able to interact with people in the local community on a daily basis. FIMRC was also able to incorporate other fun activities into the trips as well and offered volunteers the opportunity to visit local markets, restaurants, and other tourist locations. I would recommend traveling with FIMRC to anyone interested in serving others while having a great time!