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The following are questions most frequently asked concerning how the humanitarian medical missions function: Q :What are the conditions to join a mission? A : There are several aspects to consider: first, if you want to join a mission to Mexico, you must be in good health meaning, having a health condition equivalent to that required when travelling South..Keep in mind that temperatures are very high in this country and that the work is performed under intense heat. The work is relatively sedentary, but constant (for example: escorting people as they move about, entering discussions with the residents on matters concerning their environment, transmitting messages from one work station to another). |
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If you have interpretative skills (French-Spanish and/or English-Spanish), you must be in a position to "sharpen your ear" to different dialects used and to the pronunciation by the people of the environment. Having a great imagination is a plus in order to explain to patients what the health professional will ask to translate. Take note, we always succeed in understanding each other, believe me! If you join as a health professional, whether as doctor, nurse, dentist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, pharmacist, podiatrist or even as an occupational therapist, clinician qualities are above all necessary since there aren’t any laboratories or radiology on site! Forget the scan as well. Last but not least, anyone participating in a humanitarian mission commits voluntarily to a spirit of fraternity and mutual aid. Q : What are the costs involved? A : You are responsible for your flight and hotel costs. The expenses vary depending on the group organizer and naturally, the country in which the mission will take place. To give you an idea of the costs, a two-way ticket to Mexico costs approximately 1,000$. Hotel rates will vary as well and average at approximately 500.00$, including lodging (often in a dormitory) and meals (mini cafeteria style). If you deal with The Austin Diocese Medical Mission Group, luxury is not included in their package which only adds exoticism to the trip! Q : How to enroll in a medical mission? R :I compared the conditions of numerous humanitarian organisms. Many organisms require an availability of a few consecutive months. For my part, I enrolled in The Austin Diocese Medical Mission group because their missions are of shorter duration (1 week and sometimes, less) which allows me to do volunteer work while continuing to work full time. When you have chosen the organism you wish to commit to, you can send an email asking them if they would accept you as missionary. For anyone interested in joining a mission with The Austin Diocese Medical Mission, just click on this link http://www.austindiocesemedicalmission.org/ and you will find all pertinent information. What I’ve learned from my personal experience… Whatever talents or your field of expertise is, I can confirm that if you join a humanitarian mission, only for one time even, you will cherish the experience, so unique, so enriching and gain such valor in mind and spirit. Personally, the commitment taught me to broaden my horizons and made me discover another way to appreciate life. I have grown and returned with a renewed spirit of goodwill and I wish everyone the opportunity to such a learning experience. Dr Elaine Martel |
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