mmi amazon project handbook
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Amazon, ColombiaMedical/Dental/Physical Therapy
Project Information
About Project LocationLeticia is a city in the Republic of Colombia,
capital of the department of Amazonas,
Colombia's southernmost town and one of
the major ports on the Amazon river. Leticia
has long been Colombia's shipping point for
tropical �shes for the aquarium trade. Leticia
has approximately 33,000 inhabitants on the
left bank of the Amazon river, and is located at
the point where Colombia, Brazil and Peru
come together in an area called Tres
Fronteras.The team will be serving indigenous
communities and staying in their villages. The
tribes are called the Ticuna and Yagua. Each
village has approximately 500 inhabitants.
ClimateLeticia has a tropical rainforest climate with
average temperatures 85° F – 90° F (29° C –
32° C). The days will be hot and humid.
Country Entry RequirementsTo enter and depart Colombia, you are
required to have a valid passport. You do
not need a visa. For more information see:
US Citizens:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/
cis/cis_1090.html#entry_requirements
Canadian Citizens:
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
TravelInternational �ights should be arranged to
Leticia, Colombia Airport (LET).
• If you are going on the June trip please
arrange �ights arriving to Leticia on June 15th and
leaving on June 29th.
• If you are going on the August trip please
arrange �ights arriving to Leticia on August 24th
and leaving on August 31st.
• If you are going on the October trip please
arrange �ights arriving to Leticia on October 26th
and leaving on November 9th.
If you are �ying American Airlines, please use the MMI
Business Extra Account Number 800686 when book-
ing your travel. This will help MMI accumulate points for
savings on travel for our staff members. You can use
this number in addition to your personal AA advantage
number.
Medical/Dental ProfessionalsAll medical professional should send a copy of
their diploma and current license through the
time of project. MD, DDS, DMD, RN, NP, PA,
and surgeons, please send your CV also. All
credentials should be sent to the MMI of�ce by
February 15.
We will have pharmacy and a dental clinic, as well
as primary care.
Integrated HealthAt the clinic location the patients will go to the
Integrated Health area after registration to hear
about eye care, hygiene, preventing the
spread of germs, dental health, and informa-
tion about the clinic stations. They'll also hear
Bible stories or personal stories about how
God has worked in someone's lives. If you
would like to bring some gifts for the patients
you will see at the clinic, pack them in your
personal suitcase. Suggested gifts are:
• Small school supplies
(pencils, erasers, pens, stick-
ers, rulers, etc)
• Small toys (Happy Meal toys,
Beanie Babies, etc.)
• Toothbrushes , soaps,
lotions, shampoos, sunscreen,
lip-gloss/chapstick
• Sunglasses for adults
Immunization RequirementsNo immunizations are required. Please see
the CDC website for recommendations at:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/colombia.htm.
We recommend malaria prophylaxis.
Equipment and SuppliesPart of your expected travel costs could
include airline baggage costs. MMI needs
your support in covering these charges as
part of your travel expenses as outlined on the
application form. Please contact your airlines
before your departure to see what their
policies are regarding extra/overweight bags,
baggage restrictions or embargos.
Canadians: Upon your return, please fax, scan,
or mail your receipt to the Canada of�ce so
they can issue a 2013 donation receipt in
2014.
Clipboards and pens are also helpful items to
bring.
Important!
If your �ight arrival time changes - please call your
Project Director, Juan Alan Muñoz, or the MMI Texas
of�ce to let us know!
AccomodationsThe team will be sleeping in tents inside a
school or house. There will be showers but
they will be rationed throughout the day. Elec-
tricity is available only from 5-9pm.
All supplies and equipment that will be left in
country need to be documented on the MMI
supply form Donation of Medicines and Sup-
plies for Medical Projects in Colombia. This
form is attached to this email. If you are bring-
ing supplies given to you by Rick Skinner, the
completed supply list will be sent to you with
the supplies. You do not need to send this
list to the MMI of�ce unless you are taking
additional items not previously on the list. If
you are bringing your own supplies, please
complete this supply list and send it to the
MMI of�ce as soon as possible!! Personal
medications and non-medical items that you
are bringing to donate or use on the project do
not need to be listed on the form.
Getting Medical Supplies through Customs
Bed Linens: Bring linens and sleeping mats
Bath Towels: bring your own towels
Laundry Service: available for additional charge
Hot Water: no
A/C: no
Internet: yes; wi-�
Phone Service: check with your cell phone
provider
Voltage: 220v (US is 110v)
MealsMeals are provided by MMI staff. Please bring
your own bowl, cup, and silverware. Please notify
us if you are vegetarian or have some
medical/health problems concerning your
diet. We will do our best to accommodate
your needs. We recommend you bring some
snacks to have throughout the day. Sug-
gested snacks are: peanut butter,
granola/power bars, trail mix or pretzels and
crackers in sealable containers (like Ziploc
bags). You can also purchase drinks and
snacks at local stores.
Be sure to bring your own re�llable wide-mouthed
water bottle with a lid to re�ll with puri�ed water
supplied by MMI. You need to take your water
bottle with you each day to the clinic.
Tap water is unsafe to drink in Colombia.
Packing SuggestionsIt’s a good idea to pack your carry on well, just
in case your suitcase does not arrive on the
same �ight as you do. Please put the orange
and green luggage labels from your accep-
tance packet on your suitcases for easy iden-
ti�cation and for sorting of supplies and
personal luggage. It is highly recommended to
pack everything in a hiking back pack instead of a
suitcase with wheels. Please refer to the last
page of this letter for a suggested personal
packing list. Hospital scrubs make a good
work uniform to all team members at the
clinic. We suggest you bring anything that
you can’t live without!
Packing Recommendations
• Sheets
• Air mattress / Sleeping pad
• Towel
• Personal RX Medicines and OTC medi
cines as needed (suggestions are Cipro, I
mmodium, Bonine, Pepto-Bismol,
Advil/Tylenol)
• Powdered Gatorade (electrolyte replacement)
• Re-usable wide-mouth water bottle
• Snacks
• Travel Alarm clock
• Contact lens stuff (if applicable)
• Hand Sanitizer - Pocket size
• Antibacterial hand soap
• Soap/Shower gel
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Shower Shoes
• Washcloths
• Repellent (at least 70% deet)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Pens, clipboards
• Fanny pack or waist wallet
• Small backpack for day & weekend
• Kleenex & Toilet Paper – travel pack size
• Camera/extra batteries or charger
• Flashlight
• EAR PLUGS!
• Clothesline/pins and soap for hand washing
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Baby wipes
...Packing Recommendations
Clothing
• Sheets
• Air mattress / Sleeping pad
• Towel
• Personal RX Medicines and OTC medi
cines as needed (suggestions are Cipro, I
mmodium, Bonine, Pepto-Bismol,
Advil/Tylenol)
• Powdered Gatorade (electrolyte replacement)
• Re-usable wide-mouth water bottle
• Snacks
• Travel Alarm clock
• Contact lens stuff (if applicable)
• Hand Sanitizer - Pocket size
• Antibacterial hand soap
• Soap/Shower gel
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Shower Shoes
• Washcloths
• Repellent (at least 70% deet)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Pens, clipboards
• Fanny pack or waist wallet
• Small backpack for day & weekend
• Kleenex & Toilet Paper – travel pack size
• Camera/extra batteries or charger
• Flashlight
• EAR PLUGS!
• Clothesline/pins and soap for hand washing
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Baby wipes
• T-shirts/Tops (quick drying are great such
as scrubs)
• Light weight pants
• Shorts for evening/weekend
• Sleeveless tops for evening/weekend (no
sleeveless tops when working at the clinic)
• Comfortable shoes (2 pair in case of one
gets wet)
• Dress outfit for church & final dinner
• Bathing Suit
• Scrubs
• Rain Jacket/poncho
• Tain boots
• Hat
Tips for Staying Well
Expenses$100.00 – 200.00 USD
Incidental expenses such as souvenirs,
snacks,drinks, laundry service, tips, etc.
Weekend touring options - Cost TBD
• Before packing, spray all your clothes with
Deet (at least 70%). There are lots of mosqui-
tos in this region.
• Use Hand Sanitizer after hand washing.
• Only brush your teeth with bottled water
and do not open your mouth in the shower.
• Drink plenty of clear �uids and only bottled
or boiled water. Clean water is supplied by
MMI.
• Rest when you need it and continue to take
all of the same health care measuresthat you
would if you were back home in North
America – e.g. take your medications as
prescribed by your health care provider.
• Don’t eat food purchased from street
vendors
Currency
Important Documents• Emergency contact Information (end of
letter).
• Original and copy of your passport.
• Travel insurance information (on salmon-
colored paper sent in your �rst packet.)
• Medical credentials (med personnel only)
• Copies of supply forms and donation letter
(carry one copy & put another copy n the
luggage containing the supplies.
• Minors only - Notarized letter for minors from
both parents stating you are allowed to travel
with a parent or chaperone (see �rst letter for
more information.)
Colombian Peso (COP). MMI staff will help
you exchange money. All major credit cards
are accepted in Colombia. Visa and Master-
Card are the most commonly accepted. You
must bring US dollars in good condition. Torn,
stamped or old bills will not be exchanged. Also,
$1.00 bills are not useful in Colombia; they are
exchanged for less than other bills. $100.00
bills that start with the series CB are not
accepted.
If there is an emergency at home and
family/friends need to reach you in the
Amazon, have them contact the MMI of�ce
during regular of�ce hours, Monday
thru Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CST. If you
need to reach MMI after normal of�ce
hours or weekends, phone 972-727-5864
and select option 6. The team may only have
cell phone signal during the �rst two days and the
last day of the project. The villages do not have
phones or internet.
Emergency Contact Information
ReminderThe MMI Colombia team and their local part-
ners are working hard to have this mission
well run and organized. Unexpected events
may occur such as the loss of electricity or
water, late time situations, etc. So please be
�exible, stay in a good mood, and cooperate
with your project director….PRAYER CAN
CHANGE THINGS! Don’t be afraid to ask
questions, we are here to help!!
Code of ConductMedical Ministry International, with over 30
years’ experience, expresses the good news
of the gospel by caring for those who have
little access to medical care. Medicine is
ministry! Volunteers from many Christian
traditions serve with MMI through practice of
medicine. Local MMI volunteers are Chris-
tians who take time from work or school to
help and learn from us. Interaction with local
cultures demands sensitivity. Also, the integ-
rity of our testimony as a Christian ministry
must be maintained. MMI participants are
expected to abstain from using alcohol,
tobacco, and illegal drugs. They should also
refrain from any activities deemed inappropri-
ate by a project director including visiting
night clubs, casinos, and bars for the dura-
tion of the MMI Project. Only married, hetero-
sexual couples may stay together when such
accommodations are available. Volunteers
are expected to observe local dress codes
as outlined in MMI information packages for
each area.
We are gathering to show the love of Christ
through our words and deeds. Because we
are representing Jesus to the people of
Colombia, our behavior needs to re�ect our
faith and our attitude the love to serve those in
need. We would ask that all participants
refrain from visiting bars or any other site
deemed inappropriate by the project director.
We look forward to meeting you and getting to
know you. Pray for the people we are going to
help so that they can discover God through
the service we give to them. We will be pray-
ing that your preparation and departure from
North America to Colombia goes well as we
work together to meet the physical and spiri-
tual needs of our neighbors.
Thoughts from Juan Alan Muñoz, MMI National Director
Follow us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/medicalministry
www.facebook.com/medicalministryamazon
If you have any questions, please contact
one of the following:
Juan Alan Muñoz, Amazon Project Director
Bogota, Colombia
j.munoz@mmint.org
011-057-3208442467
Danielle Grabrian, Amazon Field Coordinator
Leticia, Colombia
d.grabrian@mmint.org
011-057-3213108365
Sherae Bené, MMI USA Project Coordinator
Allen, Texas
s.bene@mmint.org
972-727-5864 ext 24;
Tracey Vanderkolk, MMI Canada Participant Coordinator
Stoney Creek, Ontario
c.ferris@mmint.org
905-524-3544 (phone); 905-664-8386 (fax)
Contact Information
We are looking forward to working with you!
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