Overview of the Project

The government of Mexico is putting its full effort to provide overall health benefits to all its citizens, especially the children and women. Health education is also provided to the children to enable them to learn the basic things about human life and health. Various non government organizations are also supporting the government's endeavor by reaching the poor and needy people in the rural parts of Mexico and generating health awareness.

This project needs volunteers who have the desire to help the Mexico community and strengthen the health sector that aims to increase access to basic healthcare for rural people, decrease the prevalence of end em ic diseases and improve overall village health and provide public health services through the medical centers.

The medical centers in Mexico are very poor in their resources and in the lack of efficient, and medically educated staff, there has not been much of accomplishment in terms of the health sector.

Role of a Volunteer

Depending on the experience, interest an qualification, a volunteer can be engaged in the following activities:

•  Assist doctors, nurses and medical staffs in the health centers
•  Set up free health camps
•  Distribute medicines
•  Provide tips to patients on health, nutrition and sanitation and counseling patients (if needed)
•  Treatment for minor injuries/wounds
•  Measuring BP, temperature, height, weight
•  Record keeping of patients

Skills/Qualifications Needed

Volunteers working for health project should have a medical background like medical students, EMT, doctors, nurses, etc.

Room/Food/Supervision

Global Crossroad manages room and food - three meals a day. Volunteers will stay with host families in Guadalajara , where they will also have the opportunity to experience the modern Mexican culture. Volunteer will also have 24/7 access to the mobile number of our coordinators. Our staffs also visit volunteers in each 1-2 week interval as a part of the program.

Location Descriptions

Guadalajara with the metropolitan area has about 10 million inhabitants. It is the second largest and most vibrant city of Mexico . The projects and host family are mostly located in the city areas with easy access to internet, telephones, banks, etc. Volunteers can involve themselves in various activities during their free time (from mariachi bars to the tequila express train, or join local festivities, live bands, theater, and movies).

In free time, volunteer can explore major tourist attractions such as Palacio del Gobierno, the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, the bustling Mercado Libertad, Zona Minerva, Zapopan , Tlaquepaque arts and crafts, Tonalá.

A typical day of a Volunteer in Health Project

7 AM - 8 AM: Breakfast

Go to the health plac em ent and treat patients, assist doctors and medical staffs whenever needed

12 PM - 1PM: Lunch break

Afternoon: Check and treat patients. If a volunteer is interested, he/she can also assist in the record keeping of the hospital, health center, according to plac em ent

7:00 PM: Dinner

Remarks: This itinerary gives a generic picture of daily life but it may vary from field