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
Peru is located in a highly seismically active area and major earthquakes occur frequently. In addition the country experiences heavy rainfall, flooding, droughts, forest fires, frosts and snowfalls, and the periodic occurrence of the El Niño climatic phenomenon. This makes the community vulnerable and more susceptible to diseases. The total fertility rate in 2011 was 7.7 children per woman, and the mortality rate was 10.6 per 1,000, double the national rate. The main causes of death include several preventable and infectious diseases such as, tuberculosis, pneumonia, malaria, and yellow fever.
The Peruvian healthcare system is similar to those in other Latin American countries, so remote areas are not serviced by medical facilities. The World Bank and the World Health Organization stated in a 2009 study that the indigenous peoples are viewed as needing full assistance to solve their multiple health problems. IMR is working in collaboration with local partners to help those suffering from life-threatening diseases. We will provide medical and dental care and health education to these otherwise untouched people groups. Your team will see many patients with infections, wounds, and common health problems that are frequently untreated. Dental needs are among the most troubling, with patients suffering from horrific pain from infected teeth without care other than home remedies.
Annual flooding is a serious concern for the people of the Amazon River basin, with the associated skin issues, infections, and emotional loss that comes with major disasters. Dengue Fever and other mosquito-borne diseases are significant health concerns in this community. Providing education about mosquito-borne disease and providing supportive care for patients will be a primary task for our team. This trip is a wonderful opportunity to provide care for people who truly need help.
We will be bringing some of the less accessible indigenous people into our clinic and will work closely with local medical students to care for them. If you love to teach, this is the trip for you!
Our Work
International Medical Relief began relief efforts in Peru in 2012. Since then, more than 300 volunteers and staff have served over 9,000 patients. IMR continues to strengthen their relationship with the community and provide community health training, medical treatments, medical supplies and equipment, and clinic operations.
With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, and 17.
IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing.
Our medical mission teams also work toward UNSDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation by supporting and strengthening the participation of local communities in improving their water quality and installing water filtration systems that supply communities with clean drinking water and providing education on hydration and hygiene.
In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.
This Mission
This beautiful trip starts and ends in Puerto Maldonado, Peru, a small city known as the gateway to the southern Amazon. The area is surrounded by national parks and preserves, which include some of the most pristine rain forests in the world.
Lodging/Transportation
You will be staying in a lovely hotel on this trip, traveling by boat each day to the small villages and towns that are in need of medical and dental care. Bring your bathing suit and don’t forget your camera!
Highlights
Working with the indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon is a highlight all its own. You’ll also have some time to learn more traditional medicine and to see the many different crafts handmade in the area, including textiles, beaded items, seed jewelry, ceramics, carvings, clothing with traditional designs, rattles and other traditional crafts.
Another highlight of this trip is your CHOICE of spending your last day in Peru in Puerto Maldonado shopping, relaxing, or exploring the Amazon, or in the capital city of Lima. Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has “Museums with great works of art, archaeological sites, beaches, the boardwalk, valleys, natural reserves, the nightlife, the thrill of adventure sports, and the exquisite cuisine gives Peru’s capital an authentic personality and makes tourism in Lima a unique experience in the country.” Your choice will depend on your departure time from Puerto Maldonado and your flight time home. This might be a good time to think of extending your stay!
If you are thinking about extending your stay, Machu Picchu is another option and certainly a highlight of any visit to Peru. Fly to Cusco where you will travel by bus and train to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Contact our partner Worldwide Navigators to learn more about extending your stay.
Extend Your Stay
You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Peru’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
- Experience the wonder of a sunrise on Machu Picchu
- Enjoy a train ride through the Peruvian jungle
- Journey to the vibrant & colorful Rainbow Mountain
Click here to view the itinerary!
Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrivals & Orientation
Clinic
Clinic
Training Day
Clinic
Clinic
Departures
Please View Full Itinerary in the Next Tab
Sustainable Impact
Your Journey
Weather
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Average High and Low Temperature in Puerto Maldonado, Peru ©WeatherSpark.com
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Average Hourly Temperature in Puerto Maldonado, Peru ©WeatherSpark.com
Clinic Photos
Gallery
Full Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
You will need to arrange your flight destination to be Padre Aldamiz International Airport (PEM), also known as the Puerto Maldonado International Airport. If you need assistance booking flights, please contact Worldwide Navigators, our preferred travel agency, at travel@worldwidenavigators.com. You may also choose to arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation, which you may purchase from within your portal under Trip Add-Ons.
Arrivals & Orientation
You and the team will fly into Padre Aldamiz International Airport (PEM), also known as the Puerto Maldonado International Airport. Please arrive by 5pm to transfer to your hotel and meet up with the other volunteers you’ll be working with this week for a team dinner.
After dinner, you will attend the team orientation to prepare you for the upcoming week of clinic. During orientation, your team leader will assign roles for the clinic, discuss our community health education efforts in detail, present IMR’s clinic protocols, and provide an overview of the communities your team will be serving in Peru. Our partners will join us to explain the cultural components, medical landscape and overview of the medical conditions prevalent in the area.
Meals: Dinner,
Clinic
Today is your first day of clinic! Wake to enjoy a hearty breakfast 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. You will find the indigenous people of the rainforest to be among the kindest people you will meet and the most in need of healthcare.
After returning back to your accommodation at the end of the day, you will have a team debrief with your team leader and dinner provided at the accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Most time at the clinic will be spent treating those with with infections, wounds, and common health problems that are frequently untreated. Clinic days will also be spent caring for the indigenous people of the Peruvian rainforest with conditions associated with the annual Amazon Basin flooding such as skin issues, infections, and emotional loss.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Training Day
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 have free time to explore the city or venture to the jungle.
Clinic
Most time at the clinic will be spent treating those with with infections, wounds, and common health problems that are frequently untreated.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
The last day of clinic will be bittersweet as you reflect back on all your hard work and the patients whose lives you were able to touch.
Departures
Enjoy one final breakfast with your team! Depending on the time your flight leaves, you can explore more of the city before you head back to the airport for your international flight home.
If you’re interested in extending your stay, our partner Worldwide Navigators offers exclusive trip extensions just for IMR volunteers! See the extensions tab on this page for details.
Meals: Breakfast,
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Extension Photos
Extensions
You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Peru’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
- Experience the wonder of a sunrise on Machu Picchu
- Enjoy a train ride through the Peruvian jungle
- Journey to the vibrant & colorful Rainbow Mountain
Click here to view the itinerary!
Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!
Minimum Donation
Your generous donation of $2100 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
$1900 due by May 13, 2024
$2100 due by July 14, 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 May 13, 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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