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!