Who can go on a trip with Project Helping Hands?

Anyone is invited to apply for a position on one of our teams.  Becuase we are a medical organization, individuals with a medical background are obviously given preference.  Examples of common team members include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, Paramedics, EMT's, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and other allied health professionals.

We also strongly encourage individuals who can speak the language of the country we are visiting to consider applying as translators.

Approximately 10% of each team is composed of non-medical people who act in a support role, assisting with the logistics of moving a large team through rural areas, as well as assisting in non-medical duties in the clinics and villages.

Applying for a team does not garuantee a spot on the team.

How are the teams funded?

Each team member is expected to either pay for their own trip or raise their own funds for the trip.  The cost of the trip is dependent on the country which we are visiting.

Trips to South America typically run between $1500 and $2000, trips to Africa typically run between $3000 and $3500.  This amount is tax-deductible.

The price of the trip typically includes airfare from any city in the United States to the country to be visited, as well as food, lodging, and transportation within the country.   The price of the trip does not include spending money, immunizations, passport fees, and costs incurred outside of the country.

A deposit of several hundred dollars is usually due at the time of application and the balance of the trip is due within three months of departure.

Please note that each individual trip may differ slightly and team members will be notified of the financial aspects of their trip before applying.

What will I be doing if I am selected as a team member?

A typical day on the medical mission will involve getting up around 7 AM, enjoying a breakfast prepared by the nationals, followed by an intensive medical clinic.  A team of 8 professionals may see more than 100 people in a single day.  The day is punctuated by a lunch, also served by the nationals. 

We typically close the clinic at the dinner hour and after eating, will pack up the clinic and move to the next village or locale where we will sleep before starting the process the next day.

Throughout the day, team members may be involved in health teaching classes with villagers and a variety of other preventative activities.

An orientation is held for team members at the beginning of the trip, and every effort is made to provide a one or two day cultural experience in the country at the conclusion of the trip, as well as some shopping time before returning home.

Are these trips safe?

There is no way to garauntee safety when we are travelling in a third world country.  There are many unpredictable variables. 

With this in mind, every effort to minimize danger is undertaken.  A host in the country to be visited is chosen who is well respected in the community and can assist with preparations for our arrival.  We interact carefully with the United States Embassy in the country to be visited to assure that travel conditions are favorable.  All team members all also registered with the Embassy in the country so that they are aware of our presence and work.

The orientation manual and orientation session also includes numerous hints and tips on how to stay safe during the travels, including things such as immunizations, personal safety and how to handle unexpected situations.

In over 40 trips overseas, we have never encountered a situation which has threatened the lives of the team members.