Global Health Volunteer Program Pre-Departure Packet

Project Las Delicias, El Salvador

Contents
LETTER FROM FIMRC HEADQUARTERS .........................................................................................................................3 MEET THE PROJECT LAS DELICIAS TEAM ......................................................................................................................4 EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ..........................................................................................................................5 LANGUAGE .....................................................................................................................................................................6 COUNTRY INFORMATION ...............................................................................................................................................6 BUDGET AND CURRENCY INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................6 SUGGESTED PACKING LIST ...........................................................................................................................................7 VOLUNTEER ARRIVAL AND LOGISTICS ...................................................................................................................... 8-9 ARRIVAL .......................................................................................................................................................................8 TRANSPORTATION...........................................................................................................................................................8 HOUSING ......................................................................................................................................................................8 MEALS..........................................................................................................................................................................9 YOUR VOLUNTEER MISSION ..........................................................................................................................................9 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ..........................................................................................................................................10 PASSPORTS AND VISAS..................................................................................................................................................10 TIPPING ......................................................................................................................................................................10 ELECTRICITY ................................................................................................................................................................10 HEALTH ......................................................................................................................................................................10 TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE.....................................................................................................................................10 RECREATION OPTIONS ................................................................................................................................................11

Letter from FIMRC Headquarters

Dear FIMRC Volunteer, The Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) is pleased to welcome you to the Global Health Volunteer Program. We are looking forward to your service in El Salvador and hope that you are too. This amazing experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a new culture while providing unique opportunities to get to know a community in the developing world. This packet contains useful information for your trip and will answer many of the questions that you may have. Included is packing advice, arrival and housing logistics and an emergency contact list among other things. We hope that you will take a moment to familiarize yourself with the content so that you can confidently travel to our site in El Salvador. We would like to make your volunteer mission as comfortable as possible, so if you have any further questions after reading through this packet, please feel free to contact us. As a volunteer with Project Las Delicias you will carry out vital tasks in support of FIMRCs mission to provide quality health care to children who are underprivileged and underserved. FIMRC realizes that to truly change the health care conditions of places like Las Delicias on-site medical attention is only one piece of the puzzle. Diligence in spreading the word about our mission so that everyone is aware that there are children who do not receive the medical care that they deserve is also necessary. Your impact on the community in Las Delicias can be felt long after you board the plane home simply by sharing stories of your volunteer mission to friends and family. We are so excited to welcome you to our FIMRC team and are proud that you have decided to join the effort to create a world in which every child has an equal opportunity to benefit from modern medicine. On behalf of the entire FIMRC team, we thank you for your support and hope your experience is nothing short of extraordinary! Sincerely,

Vikram D. Bakhru, M.D. Chairman and Founder

Anna DiColli Director of Volunteer Programs and Global Operations

Meet the Project Las Delicias Team

Marloes Nijboer, Field Operations Manager Originally from Denmark, Marloes obtained her BS in Human Geography and Planning as well as her MS in International Development Studies from the University of Utrecht. Marloes has extensive international experience through her work in Tanzania and Guatemala. Most recently, Marloes served as the Womens Health Education Program Assistant for PrimerosPasos, where she facilitated workshops on community health issues, expanded the reach of programming, managed volunteers. Marloes works with countless partnerships to continually develop public health interventions, ensuring that volunteers have a wonderful health immersion experience and a positive lasting impact on the community! Morena Barerra, Community Health Coordinator Known and trusted in the Las Delicias community, Morena serves as a liaison between FIMRC and the national Ministry of Health. Morena is also a nurse and brings vision and drive to Project Las Delicias in her daily work treating common diseases in the region. In her role with the Ministry of Health, Morena serves as a health promoter, forming personal relationships with families in the area. Morena possesses a deep understanding of how to approach the task of improving community health one child at a time.

Emergency Contact Information

We encourage you to print two copies of this contact list, one to bring with you and one to leave with a family member or friend. When calling El Salvador from the US, dial 011 then the 11-digit number. When calling the US from El Salvador, dial 001 then the 10-digit number. For all in-country calls, drop the 503 and simply dial the 8-digit number. In the event of a medical emergency we will take you to Hospital Diagnstico. Address: Paseo General Escaln y 99 Av. Norte Colonia Escaln, San Salvador Main phone: 2506-2000 Local emergency number 911 U.S. Staff Contacts FIMRC on-call line 888-211-8575 Meredith Mick (cell) 267-290-8151 Meredith Mick (work) 215-735-1490 Stacy Wallick (cell) 202-905-7502 Stacy Wallick (work) 301-451-4733 Dr. Vikram Bakhru (cell) 267-515-4701 El Salvador Contacts Marloes Nijboer (cell) 503-7926-6925 Italo Ayala (Spanish only) 503-7313-2676 Hospital Diagnstico 503-2226-5111 US Embassy (After hours) 503-2278-6003

In the event of an emergency regarding personal safety, contact the U.S. Embassy. Address: Embajada de Los Estados Unidos Boulevard Santa Elena Final Antiguo Cuscatln, La Libertad, El Salvador Main phone: 2501-2999 Other phone: 2501-2600 Fax: 2278-5522 Clinic address: (for reference only; not a mailing address) Cantn Las Delicias Jurisdiccin de San Juan Opico. La Libertad Km. 21 Carretera a Santa Ana FIMRC Volunteer Guesthouse address: 7 Calle Poniente Ave. Fountain Blue Residencial Fountain Blue Senda A Casa 6 Colonia Escaln, San Salvador FIMRC volunteer cell phone: 503-7487-6964 We wish you a safe and productive trip, but in the event of emergency our entire staff is committed to your safe and healthy return home.

Language
Spanish is the primary language in El Salvador. English is often spoken in and around San Salvador, but is not widely used in Las Delicias. FIMRCs field staff members are fully bilingual and can help with translation when needed. Please note that while Spanish fluency is not required of volunteers, any level of comprehension will be useful in communicating with members of the community.

Country Information
CIA World Factbook: This is a useful resource for background information on population, politics, geography, and other facts about El Salvador: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html. Climate: El Salvadors climate is very predictable, with two main seasons throughout the year. The dry season, during which there is very little rain, generally occurs between late October and April; the rainy season occurs between May and November. Forecasts for the city of San Salvador can be accessed at www.weather.com.

Budget and Currency Information

Currency: El Salvadors national currency is the U.S. dollar. There is no need to exchange money for your trip. It is, however, necessary to bring an adequate quantity of small bills; at many small shops and eateries, both in San Salvador and in Las Delicias, bills larger than $5 are not accepted. ATMs are widely available in and around San Salvador, and you will be able to make stops as necessary on your way to the guesthouse or clinic to withdraw funds. Before you leave, you should notify your bank or credit provider that you will be traveling abroad, as unusual credit card use may trigger fraud protection and freeze your account. As a general precaution, do not carry more money than is needed for the day. Budgeting: The following is a list of common expenses:

Item Cell phone card Tourist visa* Entertainment Lunch and dinner FIMRC t-shirt Internet service Spending money FIMRC scrubs Recreation/Tours * required

Cost $5 $10 $150 $9-$15 $16 $1 $150 $35 $55 - $100

Description Includes around 50 minutes to the United States Paid in airport upon arrival in El Salvador Approximate, based on preferences Per day, depending on meal choices Optional, but recommended One hour, in internet caf. Approximate, based on preferences Optional, but recommended Approximate, based on itinerary

Suggested Packing List

Clothing: Supplies: Water bottle Batteries Backpack Secure pack or travel wallet Prescription glasses (Preferable to contacts due to dust) Small flashlight Towel or washcloth Toilet paper Plastic bags for wet/dirty laundry Ziploc bags Small travel alarm clock or watch Journal/pens Spanish/English dictionary Toiletries/Medicines: Antibacterial soap or hand gel or baby wipes Insect repellent (30-35% DEET) Personal cosmetic items Sunscreen Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication Pepto Bismol tablets Documentation/Other: Passport Drivers license or other official identification Photocopies of all travel documents FIMRC Contact List Donations (please contact us for the most up-to date list of needs Light-weight workpants or jeans Short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts Scrubs (optional) FIMRC T-shirt (optional) Bandanas Comfortable sneakers, hiking shoes, or sandals (two pairs) Shower shoes (optional) Sweatshirt, fleece or jacket Cap or hat Swimsuit Light-weight rain poncho, umbrella A nice outfit (You will have opportunities to visit nightclubs, restaurants, museums, etc.)

We ask that you be culturally sensitive when choosing clothes to bring on your trip; low-cut tops, short shorts and other revealing clothing should not be worn to the clinic, in the city, or during other activities. Clothing for your trip should accommodate the diversity in weather and working environments that you will experience in El Salvador. You should limit your luggage to one suitcase plus one small backpack for your carry-on and daily use. Make sure you have luggage tags for each suitcase. Often, we ask volunteers to help transport donated supplies for our clinic. FIMRC Headquarters team members may contact you to request that you pack an extra bag containing donations. Pack any immediate essentials in your carry-on bag. It is useful to pack one change of clothes and essential toiletries in your carry-on in case of baggage delay. To avoid problems at customs, keep medications in original, labeled containers. FIMRC cannot be responsible for loss or damage to luggage or personal belongings. You must report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority. If you have travel insurance, you will need to submit this report to your insurance provider. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form must be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. In the case that your luggage is lost, our staff will wait for you while you file your claim.

Volunteer Arrival and Logistics

Arrival: Before you leave, be sure to have $10 in cash to purchase a tourist visa in the airport upon arrival. Once you arrive in San Salvador and go through immigrations and customs, you must exit the airport. Due to airport regulations, FIMRC staff cannot enter the airport to pick you up, so you will be picked up immediately after exiting the airport. You will be met by Marloes Nijboer, Field Operations Manager, who will be wearing a FIMRC t-shirt or holding a sign with your name on it. You will be picked up based on the arrival time stated in your enrollment forms; if you feel you may have submitted incorrect flight information or would like to re-confirm your arrival time, please contact our office. If you do not see a FIMRC team member immediately upon exiting the airport, proceed to the right and wait by the Pizza Hut stand located near the airport exit. Keep a printed copy of the Emergency Contact Information on hand and call Marloes for assistance. After your pickup from the airport, you will be driven directly to the Volunteer Guesthouse. When you arrive, Marloes will give you an orientation to Project Las Delicias and the Global Health Volunteer Program. At this time you will receive contact information for private, reliable transportation providers for your evenings and weekends, as well as a list of restaurants recommended by FIMRC staff for food quality and sanitary preparation practices. You will also receive a cell phone to keep with you for the duration of your stay please see the Emergency Contact Information section of the packet for phone numbers. You will be able to purchase inexpensive phone cards in San Salvador which you can use to stay in touch with our field staff and transportation providers. You can also use this phone to call friends or family in the U.S. If you are traveling with a group, you will share a cell phone with the other group members. Please do not purchase a calling card before your departure as many cannot be used from outside the U.S. Transportation: All transportation is provided by a reputable transport agency which has been used for several years by FIMRC and other major nonprofit organizations. Your fees paid to FIMRCs office cover daily transportation between the guesthouse and clinic, as well as several trips after clinic hours to other volunteering locations in the community. If you need additional transportation for night or weekend activities, our team can help coordinate this. Housing: You will be staying at FIMRCs Volunteer Guesthouse located in a safe area of San Salvador. The guesthouse is securely gated and guarded 24 hours per day. Amenities are comparable to a hotel and include bedding, hot showers, and daily cleaning service. Volunteers stay in shared rooms with one to three other volunteers of the same gender; our staff will do their best to honor all rooming preferences as stated in your enrollment forms. Alternate arrangements during peak volume of volunteers may be made at the nearby hotel with amenities identical to the volunteer guesthouse. Laundry service is available for long-term volunteers. Internet access is available in the area and you are welcome to bring a laptop computer if you wish. Please understand, however, that valuable electronics are brought at your own risk; FIMRC is not responsible in the case of lost personal items. At least one FIMRC staff member will reside at the guesthouse when volunteers are present. Meals: Breakfast will be provided at the guesthouse each morning and is included in your housing fee. Breakfast options include pancakes, eggs, and typical Salvadoran dishes such as beans and plantains. Volunteers are responsible for purchasing lunch and dinner. Lunch is generally purchased in the morning and brought to the clinic. Volunteers generally go out to dinner together in the evening. American-style fast food is plentiful in San Salvador, but we encourage volunteers to visit more traditional vendors to get a true taste of Salvadoran food. Depending on where you choose to eat, you should plan to budget between $9 and $12 per day for meals. If you have any dietary

restrictions, please let us know in advance and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Vegetarian and lactose intolerant diets can be accommodated in El Salvador. Please understand, however, that we cannot guarantee compliance by outside parties.

Your Volunteer Mission

Field staff will go over your itinerary on your first day of volunteering. Due to the ever-changing needs of the clinic and community, we cannot provide you with an advance itinerary specific to your trip. However, this section of the Pre-Departure Packet will serve as a general overview of the great impact you will have on the children of Las Delicias. Built in 2007, FIMRCs Las Delicias clinic features an outdoor waiting area, a fully functional examination room, a medical storage room, a small office, and a yard where children can safely gather and play. The clinic is centrally located within Las Delicias and is accessible by foot to local residents. Patients are seen Monday through Friday, and the clinics grounds are securely gated and guarded 24 hours per day. As a volunteer, you will spend part of your time in the clinic, where your activities will include shadowing the doctor, interacting with children in the waiting area, and assisting in general clinic operations. The majority of your time, however, will be non-medical in nature and will be spent promoting public health outside of the clinic. In the communities we serve, health education is equally important as clinical work, a priority which will be reflected in your weekly itinerary. Working alongside our field staff, you may, for example, coordinate a health education session with young women regarding prenatal care, or present an interactive lesson to local school-age children regarding nutrition. Opportunities often arise to conduct house calls with our staff or go door-to-door collecting health statistics or providing health consultations. Also, FIMRC has launched an ongoing Micro Health Insurance Program geared toward creating long-term health solutions for families in Las Delicias. We are delighted to engage volunteers in our efforts to bring this project to new heights! Below is a sample weekly itinerary based upon past volunteer missions with Project Las Delicias:

Time 8:15

Mon Depart guesthouse Prepare community outreach activity Lunch in Las Delicias Dental hygiene project with children

Tue Depart guesthouse Shadow physician in clinic Lunch in Las Delicias Discussion with young mothers about nutrition

Wed Depart guesthouse Prenatal house visits Lunch in Las Delicias Anti-Rabies campaign

Thur Depart guesthouse Postpartum care house visits with nurse Lunch in Las Delicias Micro Health Insurance Program training

Fri Depart guesthouse Shadow physician in clinic Lunch in Las Delicias Visit historical site

9:00 - 12:00

12:00 - 1:30

1:30 - 4:00

Additional Information
Passports and Visas: To travel to El Salvador, you must possess a passport and a return flight ticket. It is your responsibility to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your trip. Volunteers who are not U.S. citizens must check with their consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. For more information, visit travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Tipping: It is not necessary to tip drivers on a daily basis. However, FIMRC encourages leaving a sum as a group at the end of the trip. In restaurants standard tipping is 10% and is almost always included in the bill as a propina. For taxis, it is customary to round up slightly as a token of appreciation. Electricity: The voltage used is 115 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs can take on different forms of pins, flat blades or slanted blades. The U.S. uses 120 volts; you can purchase a plug adapter at most U.S. hardware stores. Most laptops can plug directly into the outlets in El Salvador. Health and Personal Safety: FIMRC is committed to volunteer safety, security, and health. Upon your arrival, our team will give you a detailed orientation that will provide information regarding your trip, personal safety, and tips to stay healthy during your volunteer experience. No vaccinations are required by law when traveling to El Salvador from the U.S., but we recommend consulting your doctor, as well as www.cdc.gov/travel, for the most up-to-date recommendations. Before you depart, you have the option of registering with the U.S. Embassy. Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to citizens traveling internationally. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. You can register online here: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui. Travel and Health Insurance: FIMRC requires all volunteers to possess emergency medical evacuation coverage for the duration of the mission trip. If your current health insurance does not provide this coverage, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Please contact us if you would like assistance in finding adequate travel insurance.

Recreation Options
While your weekdays are spent hard at work helping the community of Las Delicias, your evenings and weekends are free to spend as you wish. Many volunteers choose to take advantage of their free time by participating in trips or organized tours. While the fees associated with these trips will not be covered by your program donation, we encourage you to maximize your opportunities to explore El Salvador. Please contact FIMRC Headquarters for a full list of recreation options. Please note that all options are unaffiliated with FIMRC, though our staff members are glad to help you plan for your free time. FIMRC cannot guarantee or exercise control over tour providers or activities, and the costs associated with such trips are not included in costs paid to FIMRC for your volunteer mission.

This concludes the Pre-Departure Packet for Project Las Delicias. If you have any questions regarding the information in this packet, please do not hesitate to contact FIMRCs Office of Volunteer Programs at missions@fimrc.org or 1-888-211-8575.