Medical Mission Trips to St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Thank you for your interest in IMR’s medical mission trips to St. Vincent and the Grenadines! This is a very unique opportunity to work with populations that have little to no access to healthcare and make a huge impact on their lives.
The Need
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Exhale. Enjoy the calming smell of salt coming off the turquoise ocean. Feel the breeze upon your face of the Caribbean Sea. Hear the giggling of the local children fishing and playing on the white sand beaches. Taste the local cuisines, flavored with freshly harvested breadfruit and locally caught red snapper. Now, open your eyes. A smile comes upon your face as your feet seep into the warm sandy beach on a beautiful sunny afternoon on a beach in the Grenadine Islands.
The Grenadine Island chain consists of 35 small islands and is located in the Caribbean Sea. These islands are situated 120 miles southwest of Barbados and 150 miles south of Trinidad. The islands of Union and Mayreau are governed by St Vincent, the main island. The island has been in possession by both French and English plantation owners, which render its strong French and English flavors. The islanders are very proud of their African background which influences a number of cultural events held throughout the year. The residents are a very friendly, tight-knit community.
On this Caribbean Island experience of a lifetime, you will fly independently into E.T. Joshua Airport on St. Vincent, Grenadine. Upon arrival, you will ferry over to Union Island to meet your team. You will spend two days on Union Island and two days on Mayreau Island in clinic. We will travel to areas where medical care is scarce and dental care is almost non-existent.
Please join us as we care for the people of the Grenadine Islands. If you would like to enjoy the peace and quiet of island life before or after clinic, you are in for a delight. Explore what the islands have to offer you!
Our Work
Clinic will take place amidst the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Seas, nestled in the remote island communities of Union and Mayreau Islands. Our team will provide medical expertise, specializing in optometry, dentistry, health, and hygiene education to hundreds of local men, women, and children. The communities within these remote islands have a population of over 3,000 people, some villages only being accessible via boat are amongst the poorest islands in the Caribbean, and do not have access to specialized healthcare. Your time and energy will be rewarded by smiles, hugs, and kind gestures by the local families of the Grenadine Islands.
Lodging & Transportation
The team will be staying in simple, safe, clean, and friendly accommodations located on the island of Union. You can enjoy the beaches, local cuisine of the islands, and swimming in the turquoise sea. Upon your arrival in St. Vincent, Grenadine, all transportation and ferries to clinic will be arranged for you. Professional drivers, safe vehicles, and security are some of the many reasons to join IMR on a trip. Don’t nap – there’s a lot to see in the valleys and hills surrounding your home away from home this week!
I can’t begin to convey the sheer admiration, respect, and love I have for all these people. This trip to Nicaragua, documenting International Medical Relief’s mission to make a very simple yet profound impact on the lives of those less privileged has touched my heart and helped guide it in a more meaningful direction. The bravery and unbridled sense of kindness woven throughout these people’s character and this experience has shown me something new and refreshing that I will never forget. From our IMR crew to the people of Nicaragua, you will be with me always.
Trip Highlights
Discover Chatham Bay, a lovely thin crescent of white sand backed by steep, forest-covered hills on the western side of the island. The calm turquoise waters are perfect for snorkeling amongst the coral reefs, relaxing with a book, or a sunset sail. Experience the vibrant island rhythm of the steel drums and calypso music performed by locals on the beaches and in the streets, hike the silhouette mountains on Union Island, and browse through the local islands.
Food & Water
All food is typically provided during your stay. Please refer to your unique itinerary on our website to review which meals are provided each day. We may hire local people to cook for the team during our visit, or we may eat at restaurants or hotels. Lunch in clinic may include sandwiches made by the team or a feast prepared in your honor by community leaders. We recommend bringing snacks to eat during the day or evening or to supplement your lunch. High protein/high fat/high energy snacks are best. IMR also provides all of the drinking water for the team. Hydration and nutrition are extremely important for the health of the team. You are the best judge of your own health so please pack appropriate snacks and stay well hydrated on the trip.
Extend Your Stay!
You have given your time and energy to the communities within the islands of the Grenadines. Now take a moment to yourself. Continue your experience of a lifetime in the Caribbean, and explore, relax, adventure, and reflect amongst the turquoise waters. Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators! To learn more about this unique opportunity, call us at (970) 635-0110 or send us an email at office@imrus.org.
Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Full Mission (7-8 Days)
Crisis Management & Emergency Response
We take security very seriously at IMR. It is our job to ensure that security precautions are in place, but please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee your safety on the trip.
- We continuously review all current activities occurring on the ground, and we work with the State Department and the U.S. Embassy to know the ground situation to the best of our ability.
- A security training conference call is available to our volunteers where we detail our security procedures that are in place for the trip.
- We take many security precautions such as radios, a buddy system, emergency evacuation plan and security planning.
- We protect the privacy of our volunteers in the field and provide them with customized contact information for their use.
- During our mandatory briefing, team members review our safety protocols, evacuation procedures, protocols for illness, natural disaster and terrorism.
We provide training to our teams to be cognizant of their own safety and to be aware of their surroundings. - Several policies require teams to adhere to safety issues.
Trip Preparation
Donations to Our Himalayan Project Count!
Although each of our teams only have the opportunity to be a part of the IMR project in the Himalayans for a short time, IMR’s work in the Himalayans is long-term and sustainable. Your dollars are a direct investment into saving and changing lives. Your program fee is allocated to the overall mission while 15 percent goes directly into your personal logistics.
IMR supports the villages year-round. Our goal is to never uncover a need that we cannot take care of. We support the communities, the health clinics, the team year-round, and the patients when in need. IMR has provided five helicopter evacuations of patients in critical need from the circuit into Kathmandu. Whether it’s saving the eye of a 10-year-old boy in need of a very specialized optic surgery or providing knee and leg surgery for a young lady, IMR answers the call. Read their stories on our blog.
Mission Cost Breakdown
How does IMR use mission fees? See the complete mission cost breakdown below
Minimum Donation
Your generous donation helps to save and change lives every day.
Your charitable investment will go toward ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need. A small portion of your donation includes:
- Clinic supplies and medications for patients
- Clinic participation
- Transportation, accommodations, and meals as outlined in the itinerary
Payment Deadlines
To save $200, a 50% donation payment must be received 14 weeks before the mission’s scheduled start date. Full donation payments must be received 4 weeks before the mission’s scheduled start date.
Early Bird Savings Opportunity
To be eligible, upload all your required documents and forms, and make a minimum of 50% of your donation payment by 14 weeks prior to your mission’s scheduled start date.
Flexible Flight Options
Volunteer with Airfare
You may choose to book a flight with us for an additional fee. Details on the available flight routing and US departure city will be announced on the Early Bird Date. Airport transportation to and from the team’s accommodations are also included with this option. Depending on your departure city, you may still need to purchase another flight in addition to this one. After this flight has been booked, you may contact our travel agent, Worldwide Navigators, for assistance booking any necessary additional flights.
Benefits of Flying at a Subsidized Rate
- Travel with other members of your team on select routing
- Fly on a subsidized ticket at a lower rate
- Transport to and from the airport included
Volunteer without Airfare
Many team members choose to book their flight(s) to and from the mission location independent of IMR. This is a great option if would like to extend your stay in the area to tour and explore, or if the routing from you home airport is more feasible for you. If you choose to fly independently, please note that your transportation in between the airport and the team’s accommodations will not be provided. This will need to be arranged separately. Our partner for travel, Worldwide Navigators, would be happy to assist you in coordinating flights and/or transportation. You can contact them at travel@worldwidenavigators.com.
Benefits of Flying Independently
- Extend your stay and customize your dates of travel
- Choose your departure location
- Customize your class of service
Featured Enhancements
**To purchase any of the above Featured Enhancements for your mission please contact our office at office@imrus.org or call at (970) 635-0110.
Fundraising
IMR provides a fundraising packet to all registered trip applicants that is full of ideas on how you can raise support for your trip or for supplies to be utilized on this specific mission. When soliciting donations for any of our trips, success is completed through telling your personal story. Why do you want to go? Who will you help? Why their donation can help you achieve the ultimate goal. Tell your story to anyone and everyone. Refer your potential or active donors to our website or Facebook page and to your personal fundraising page. You may share your personal fundraising URL on Facebook and other social media sites.
Join Us in Making a Difference.
Bring much-needed acute medical and dental care to a beautiful, culture-rich destination. You can join an IMR medical mission team today!
