Medical Mission Trip 2023 Volunteer Portal
Welcome to the Medical Mission Volunteer Portal. This is where most of the forms are located, including your CV, which becomes your Volunteer Profile. You may allow other volunteers to read your profile and message you by making it public. This is also where you request your invoice, volunteer positions, and other things, including your scrubs and shirts. If you have not read the Gen Info, click on the button below.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Medical Mission Schedule
Click on the PDF file to view the most updated schedule to guide you in booking your flights.
If you must truncate the trip, plan to arrive by May 12th. The Cultural Immersion is optional; thus, some volunteers are flying back to the US or moving on to another Asian destination on May 18th.
International Flights
If you are leaving out of Boston or JFK, please contact Lance (330-475-9976) or Diana (305-619-0322) by group text so they can help you book your flights. They can also help you choose flights from the West Coast. Know that final booking and payment are solely your responsibility.
As of Feb 20, 2023, there are round-trip fares for only $1,200 from Boston. Prices will only increase from here, so the earlier you book, the cheaper.
If you’re looking into jumping into neighboring countries, let them know so they can advise you on making your airport transfers as seamless as possible.
Medical Mission Fee
The Medical Mission Fee covers airport pick-up/drop-off, daily transportation, food/lodging, laundry, sightseeing activities in Bohol (dolphin watching, snorkeling, island hopping, Alona Beach, Chocolate Hills), Volunteer Kit, and standard donation to run the five clinics in our service area from May 9 to May 18.
We received sponsorships to subsidize nurses, CNAs, and other related health professionals. The amount is $366 per qualified volunteer. Thus, instead of the originally posted amount of $1,980, the fee is now reduced to $1,644, payable in four installments. Unfortunately, subsidies are unavailable for non-medical volunteers, doctors/other providers, and dentists. To qualify, we need proof of state licensure or employment. You can send a copy or screenshot of your license to hand.philippines@gmail.com. We will notify you when we verify your license, which may take a day or two.
The Medical Mission Fee is tax deductible. The Org provides receipt of donation at year’s end.
The payment scheme, four equal monthly payments of $411 through PayPal, is triggered once you create an account with the Portal and fill out the request for an invoice, one of the options in the Task Bar.
Food and Lodging
There are no more private rooms available. Please know, however, that our shared rooms (max of four) are spacious, quiet, air-conditioned, and have en-suite bathrooms. If you have any food sensitivities, please email us at hand.philippines@gmail.com. Families and friends traveling together will be roomed together.
Provider and Nurse Temporary Licensing
We do need to process your license to be able to work as a volunteer in the Philippines. Processing may take months, so the earlier you do this, the better.
The first thing that you need to do is print a copy of your state license and have it NOTARIZED. There are notaries in your place of employment, banks, etc.
If your license is from CALIFORNIA, mail your notarized license to:
ESTHER GARCIA
5788 Delamar Dr
Fontana, CA 92336
If your license is from MAINE, mail it to:
REYNERIO LANOY
44 Pleasant St
Gardiner, ME 04345
If your license is from neither ME nor CA, group text Lance or Diana for more specific instructions.
Cultural Immersion
Most of this year’s volunteers are going to Siargao for rest and recreation. The budget for a 4-night stay at a beach resort plus airfare and airport pick-up is around $610/pax for a solo traveler and $485/pax for a couple. (If you’re a couple, you’re splitting the room cost between you and your co-traveler; thus, two solo travelers may choose to room together and save money.) There are plenty of things to do in Siargao, so go ahead and google it. We will be leaving our Home Base for Siargao on May 18th, staying there for four nights, then flying to Manila or Cebu to catch the flight back to the US on May 22nd.
We do not handle any money associated with the Cultural Immersion. However, we can assist you with how to book the flights and reserve the rooms and pay for them safely through reputable platforms. Please notify us via email at hand.philippines@gmail.com or group text Lance or Diana so we can schedule a phone call at your convenience.
COVID-19 Entry Requirement
The country now allows unvaccinated individuals to enter as long as a lab-based antigen test is negative within 24 hours before departure. More info:
https://ph.usembassy.gov/covid-19-and-travel-information/
What to do next?
Create an account by clicking the Volunteer Login button. It will only take you a minute. From there, access the forms through the Task Bar and prioritize filling out your CV, requesting your invoice, and your desired volunteer position. Lance and Diana will contact you about licensing, flight itinerary, Cultural Immersion, and other trip details. Welcome aboard!