As a volunteer in Peru, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community of La Merced! HAMES volunteers will work alongside FIMRC staff and Peruvian medical professionals in our partner medical facilities and assist with innovative public health initiatives in local schools and remote communities.
You will have the opportunity to participate in both the clinical and health education aspects of operations on-site, and activities can range from conducting rounds with medical professionals in the hospital to providing health education to children and families in native communities.
Volunteers in La Merced perform rotations alongside Peruvian medical staff in the local government hospital as well as other local health posts. La Merced is unique in that volunteers will gain exposure to public medical facilities rather than a FIMRC clinic, offering a glimpse into systems of medicine vastly different from those in the US. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to observe surgical cases in the Emergency Department.
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Housing
Volunteers are housed through FIMRC’s Homestay Program. Since the inception of FIMRC’s volunteer program in Peru, FIMRC has housed volunteers together in a guesthouse-style homestay with a local family located within a short drive of the hospital. Homestays all have telephone access and are located within walking distance of internet cafes, making it possible to communicate with friends and family at home. Volunteers are asked to indicate all housing preferences, including meal requests and pet/food allergies in the enrollment forms. The homestay is clean and comfortable with western-style toilets and showers
Meals
Three meals per day are provided, either in your home stay or at FIMRC approved locations. Volunteers are responsible for the purchase of meals during any time spent in Lima.
Transportation
All transportation is provided by comfortable coach bus or by reputable hired drivers with outstanding safety records. Upon arrival at the Lima airport, volunteers are met by a staff member or representative of FIMRC. Based on flight schedules, volunteers may spend a night in a backpackers’ hostel in Lima after arrival or prior to departure. FIMRC arranges all transportation from Lima to La Merced, as well as transportation back to the airport at the conclusion of the volunteer mission. Once in La Merced, FIMRC provides transportation between the homestay and volunteering site(s).
HAMES & ACTS PREREQUISITES
Honorability - Applicants must be in current good standing with HAMES. Volunteers must have at least 20 hours of community service logged with HAMES. Any probationary or disciplinary periods must be relieved prior to your application submission.
Certifications - Valid and Active Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR at the Professional Rescuer Level by either the American Heart Association (AHA), American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI), or National Safety Council (NSC) is required prior to the submission of your application. EMR and EMT certification is preffered, however, students may be permitted to travel at the recommendation of their supervising officer/instructor. ASHI's Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) is also mandated. BBP is offered at HAMES for $45. Volunteers may contact their local ASHI Instructor to schedule an ASHI course.
Spanish Competency - Volunteers must be currently enrolled in (or have completed) Spanish 1 (or US Grade 9 Equivalent) and currently hold or maintain at least a "B". HAMES may request you submit either a letter of recommendation from your spanish teacher OR transcript of your current spanish grade in this present marking period.
Passport - US citizens can enter Peru with a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of travel prior to the expiration date listed. Volunteers who do not hold a US passport must check with their respective embassies for information on travel eligibility. Volunteers are responsible for obtaining or renewing their passports and ensuring that all travel documents are in order.
Visa - US passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel. All travelers receive an "Andean Migration Card" upon arrival at the Lima airport. There is no additional charge for the migration card. Non-US passport holders should check with their respective embassies for current visa requirements and regulations. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that they are legally eligible to travel abroad.
Vaccinations - We refer all volunteers to the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel for the most up to date vaccination recommendations. Please note the different recommendations not only for the country you are visiting, but also for the region in which you will be staying. Please note, the yellow fever vaccine is required for travel to La Merced. Due to protocol implemented by the Ministry of Health in the region, you may be asked to provide proof of this vaccination upon arrival on-site.
Cost - In partnership with FIMRC, HAMES offers 1 week of the ultimate FIMRC experience discounted at $984. (Compared to the standard approx. $1,234 weekly cost). Airfare accomodation information will be updated on this page soon.
Certifications - Valid and Active Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR at the Professional Rescuer Level by either the American Heart Association (AHA), American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI), or National Safety Council (NSC) is required prior to the submission of your application. EMR and EMT certification is preffered, however, students may be permitted to travel at the recommendation of their supervising officer/instructor. ASHI's Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) is also mandated. BBP is offered at HAMES for $45. Volunteers may contact their local ASHI Instructor to schedule an ASHI course.
Spanish Competency - Volunteers must be currently enrolled in (or have completed) Spanish 1 (or US Grade 9 Equivalent) and currently hold or maintain at least a "B". HAMES may request you submit either a letter of recommendation from your spanish teacher OR transcript of your current spanish grade in this present marking period.
Passport - US citizens can enter Peru with a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of travel prior to the expiration date listed. Volunteers who do not hold a US passport must check with their respective embassies for information on travel eligibility. Volunteers are responsible for obtaining or renewing their passports and ensuring that all travel documents are in order.
Visa - US passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel. All travelers receive an "Andean Migration Card" upon arrival at the Lima airport. There is no additional charge for the migration card. Non-US passport holders should check with their respective embassies for current visa requirements and regulations. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that they are legally eligible to travel abroad.
Vaccinations - We refer all volunteers to the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel for the most up to date vaccination recommendations. Please note the different recommendations not only for the country you are visiting, but also for the region in which you will be staying. Please note, the yellow fever vaccine is required for travel to La Merced. Due to protocol implemented by the Ministry of Health in the region, you may be asked to provide proof of this vaccination upon arrival on-site.
Cost - In partnership with FIMRC, HAMES offers 1 week of the ultimate FIMRC experience discounted at $984. (Compared to the standard approx. $1,234 weekly cost). Airfare accomodation information will be updated on this page soon.
