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.
Overview
The Need
Borneo is a rugged and remote island located in Southeast Asia’s Malay Archipelago and is the third-largest island in the world. The island is known for its biodiverse rainforest that is home to indigenous tribes and 288 species of terrestrial mammals, and its incredible geographical features. Borneo is mostly covered in dense mountainscape and features the 13,455 foot Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia. There are many other mountains with countless lesser-known trails to hike in Borneo, each with stunning panoramic rainforest and ocean views. While hiking, visitors have the opportunity to view over 700 unique species of trees, each seemingly more unique than the last. Travelers can also experience more of Borneo’s stunning topography and biodiversity by heading below the surface of the island’s remarkably blue water.
Despite Borneo’s size, it is not densely populated, and most of the island’s inhabitants live near the coast. The residents represent approximately 300 ethnic groups, but about two-thirds of the population is Muslim. Since three different sovereignties govern this island, the Malaysian Ministry of Health runs the healthcare system; consequently, access to quality healthcare is not equally distributed, and many of the local health centers are not staffed by doctors. To make health services more accessible for the residents who do not live along the coast, the IMR team will work with local physicians to establish clinic locations in different villages in the jungle.
This Mission
Each day of clinic will be spent in the heart of a new village. Community members will be eager to welcome you and receive much-needed treatment. During clinic, you can expect to assist entire families that span multiple generations. The services that you provide will range from the treatment of rashes, burns, and open wounds, to care for lymphatic filariasis, leptospirosis, and schistosomiasis. Since mosquito-borne diseases are quite common in this region, you will also educate families on how to prevent contracting malaria.
You and the rest of the volunteer team will also educate locals on how to stay healthy and how to care for their loved ones. One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because dental pain is common here and all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care will be high. Another main focus of this mission is women’s healthcare. We will provide general women’s and infant care, as well as strengthen prenatal care knowledge.
Lodging/Transportation
Our Borneo trip is set apart from our other missions by the unique accommodations we have arranged. While on the island, you will stay in community longhouses, so you will not need to bring a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, or mosquito net. Since you will be indoors, tents are not required but can be brought if you would like additional privacy. The arranged transportation for the mission will include vans, 4×4 vehicles, and boats.
For additional information, please contact our preferred travel agency, Worldwide Navigators. Their team of experienced agents and travelers is available via email at travel@worldwidenavigators.com.
Highlights
The highlight of this trip is serving patients who, without you and your team, would not have access to healthcare. Your patients will mostly be from working-class families and refugee groups and will be eager to receive your treatment and kindness. Since the most significant age demographic in Borneo are those aged 15 and younger, your humanitarian efforts will leave a lasting impression on those who will shape their nation’s future.
While the most rewarding and memorable aspect of this trip will be caring for the people of Borneo, you will not be able to forget the lush rainforest and mesmerizing sunsets. Another activity that you will always reflect fondly upon is your team’s trip to the Borneo Orangutan Conservation; if you are lucky, you may even go home with an orangutan selfie!
Extend Your Stay
Since you’re journeying halfway across the globe, consider extending your stay to see more of Borneo, the only place in the world where orangutans live in the wild! Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
Worldwide Navigators offers several options for wildlife viewing, island hopping, snorkeling and diving, and more. Take a look at the options available.
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrivals
Orientation & Training Day
Clinic
Clinic
Clinic
Clinic
Orangutan Preserve & Departure
Please View Full Itinerary in the Next Tab
Sustainable Impact
Your Journey
Weather
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Average High and Low Temperature in Kuching, Malaysia ©WeatherSpark.com
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Average Hourly Temperature in Kuching, Malaysia ©WeatherSpark.com
Clinic Photos
Gallery
Full Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Please note: Independent flight arrangements should not be made until after the group flight is booked. You will be notified about the group flight at the Early Bird deadline.
If you are planning to fly independently and want to book your flight in advance, please contact Worldwide Navigators at travel@worldwidenavigators.com for the most up-to-date trip information before you book your independent flight. Thank you.
If you are not traveling on the group flight or joining an extension but wish to arrange transportation from the airport to clinic, please contact IMR at office@imrus.org.
Arrivals
You and the rest of your volunteer team will land at the Kuching International Airport in Malaysia. If you are traveling on the group flight or are purchasing airport transportation a la carte, you will board the transportation that will take you to your hotel located in Kuching to check-in by 5 PM for a team dinner. After dinner, your team leader will provide a general overview of the days ahead. Since you will be staying in and serving communities that are not typical tourist destinations, your journey in Borneo will be incredible!
Orientation & Training Day
Once you have socialized and dined with your team during breakfast, your team leader will dive right into orientation. During orientation, your leader will assign roles for the clinic, present IMR’s clinic protocols, and provide an overview of the many communities your team will serve. This medical mission is unique because, unlike other IMR trips, the teams in Borneo will visit a different community each day of clinic.
One of our local partners will give your team an overview of Borneo’s healthcare system. Then you and your team will provide training for local healthcare providers to continue IMR’s long-term, sustainable education efforts. Education is as important as medical and dental care for our patients. Each clinic includes basic health education according to the specialties and skills of the IMR volunteers, as well as the needs of the local people. When communities become empowered to take health and wellness issues into their own hands, they become self-sufficient. IMR provides learning opportunities for the local communities through classes and hands-on learning to sustain their well-being beyond our visit.
After training, you will take a tour of one of the communities in the jungle of east-central Borneo, so be sure to bring your adventure shoes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Once you have indulged in a hearty local breakfast at the community longhouse, you will meet with the other volunteers assigned to your clinic. Remember, you will serve a different community every day of the trip, so make sure you stick with your team. Clinics begin early in the morning and run into the evenings. Your days will be long and hard, but also incredibly rewarding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because dental pain is common here and all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care in clinic will be high.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Since three different sovereignties govern Borneo, the Malaysian Ministry of Health runs the healthcare system. Consequently, access to quality healthcare is not equally distributed, and many of the local health centers are not staffed by doctors. To make health services more accessible for the residents who do not live along the coast, IMR has worked with local physicians to establish clinic locations in different villages in the jungle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Your last day of clinic will be bittersweet. You have worked hard throughout the week, but you’ll likely reflect on the patients young and old you have touched and for whom you made a difference.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Orangutan Preserve & Departures
Make your last day in Borneo memorable with an optional visit to the Semeggoh Nature Preserve near Kuching. The Semeggoh Nature Preserve is a primate rehabilitation center that nurtures orangutans who need to learn how to survive in the wild. The orangutans that you will see have been rescued, either as orphans in the wild or from captivity, and will ultimately be released to the forest surrounding the compound so they may breed and live in the wild. Please note that the orangutan viewing will require you to hike along trails, so bring a daypack to help make your morning more enjoyable. If you are a lover of trekking and want to see these animals in the wild, then you may want to consider registering for the Orangutan Expedition from Worldwide Navigators. Please note this activity has an additional cost.
After you have spent your morning with the orangutans, you will join your team for a farewell lunch before heading home. Lastly, to make sure your trip ends on a positive note, the airport shuttle will be available to ensure you are at the airport at least three hours before your return flight departs.
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Extension Photos
Extensions
Since you’re journeying halfway across the globe, consider extending your stay to see more of Borneo, the only place in the world where orangutans live in the wild! Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
Worldwide Navigators offers several options for wildlife viewing, island hopping, snorkeling and diving, and more. Take a look at the options available.
Minimum Donation
Your generous donation of $2200 will go toward the 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
Donation Payment Deadlines
$2000 due by October 21, 2024
$2200 due by December 22, 2024
Early Bird Savings Opportunity
To be eligible, the participant must upload ALL your required documents and forms, sign their liability form and make your 50% donation including your $35 application fee by October 21, 2024. This savings opportunity does not apply to disaster relief missions.
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.
Your Donation to IMR for Your Mission Cost Includes:
All group costs from the time you arrive at the team meeting point in country until you separate from the team or when the team arrives at the departure airport, including:
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Costs associated with the clinic
- Food
- Tips for services provided to the IMR team
- All logistics, including translation services and security as needed
Additional Costs That You Are Responsible For:
All group costs from the time you arrive at the team meeting point in country until you separate from the team or when the team arrives at the departure airport, including:
- International and Domestic flights to the country.
- Passport fees, visa fees, and transit fees, including baggage or overnight accommodations/meals while in transit
- Required or recommended insurance
- Vaccinations and medications common for travel
- Spending money for souvenirs and personal purchases
- Required or desired mission supplies, personal equipment, or small gifts for the special people you meet
- Any lodging, meals, and transportation outside of the scheduled team mission, payable at the time of service to the local vendor
- COVID-related fees such as testing, vaccinations, and quarantines as required by in-country arrival/departure or USA arrival/departure
- Each team member is responsible for carrying medical supplies for the deployment. All fees associated with transport are the responsibility of the volunteer.
Financial FAQs
Prepare to Go
A Walk Through Clinic
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