Mission Trips
Structure of a Mission Trip
On a typical mission trip a group of 20-40 volunteers spends 10 days working, eating, and sleeping together. The team coordinates logistics and services, resulting in the provision of humanitarian aid in the form of medical care, dental care, surgical care, and medical education.
Before each trip, mission sites are assessed by the board of directors to ensure the community has adequate facilities in which to operate or set up clinic. Locations are also evaluated for appropriate housing, food, security, and transportation.
Ongoing Areas of Commitment
Guatemala
Since 2009 THHF has traveled every November to Patzun Guatemala. Our relationship with the community there resulted in a group of citizens forming The Healing Hands Foundation Guatemala which facilitates logistics and local fundraising for the missions. THHFG is instrumental in our ability to reach people who lack medical services, especially dental and surgical care, which are expensive and not widely available. Many families travel 9 or 10 hours by bus to be able to access our free services.
For an example of our missions there please read:
November 2009 Guatemala Newsletter
World Health Organization Statistics
November 2011 Guatemala mission Video
November 2012 Press Release
November 2012 FULL Mission Report
Sierra Leone
Since 2010 THHF has traveled every June to Freetown, Sierra Leone. As of 2009, the country of 5.7 million people has a total of 24 dentists. There are 3 doctors for every 100,000 people. One out of every 5 children under the age of 5 dies. The average life expectancy is 49. Even a two week trip to an area such as this has a huge impact on the local community.
2010 Sierra Leone Joint Mission with Madieu Williams Foundation
2010 Sierra Leone Joint Mission Photo Journal
World Health Organization Statistics
THHF Photo Summary Video: CLICK HERE
NBC nightly News “Making a Difference” links: VIDEO 1 VIDEO 2
2011 Sierra Leone, Africa Mission Video
Joint Medical Mission Trips
Colombia
Since 2008 THHF has joined with other health care organizations and providers in an annual trip to Cali Colombia. The week long trip is coordinated through the Mercy Medical Foundation. This is a large scale mission which takes place in multiple hospitals and results in thousands of medical visits, hundreds of surgeries, and substantial donations of medical supplies. In addition the program has a long term commitment to the rehabilitation and return to work/school of land mine victims, a food program for children, and projects targeting hypertension and breast disease. For more information read:
2009 Healing Hands in Colombia
Colombia Medical Mission article, The Examiner
World Health Organization Statistics
Singular Projects
Ecuador
World Health Organization Statistics
The Philippines
World Health Organization Statistics
Dominican Republic
Costa Rica