Hands For Humanity

Volunteer

Holly HansonHave you always wanted to see another part of the world while serving others?  There are numerous volunteer opportunities both in Ecuador and locally.

Hands For Humanity teams have volunteered their time for a number of great projects on both medical and community service trips. The children and families of Ecuador have greatly benefited from the compassion, care and dedication of volunteers. At the same time, volunteers have gained new insights into life in a developing country. While enriching the lives of others, volunteers’ lives are also enriched.

Do you want to make a difference?  Please consider volunteering.  In addition to the medical and community trips, there are many volunteer opportunities locally.

Questions?  Please contact Kate Welp at kwelp@handsforhumanity.com or Cris Fischer at either 507-269-6268 or crisfischer@me.com

 

Important Items to Download (.pdfs):

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What vaccines do I need?
A: The CDC website has the most up-to-date recommendations: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/ecuador.htm

Q: Is Ecuador a stable county?
A: Hands For Humanity would cancel a trip if it appeared unstable. As with everything in life, there are always risks. Please check the US Department of State website for current information.  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1106.html

Q: Can we drink the water?
A: No, only drink bottled water. Brush teeth with bottled water.

Q: Where do volunteers stay?
A: Hotels

Q: What is the exchange rate?
A: Ecuador no longer uses the Sucre, they now use the US dollar. You may get sucres as change. They are worth the value printed on them.

 

Volunteer Testimonies

“Ecuador opened my eyes to so many things I would have never thought of doing. I got to see how surgeries go and how much time they put into everything. I was able to see firsthand how much poverty there is in the world by going on house visits checking on patients from past years. They barely even had a house but as soon as we walked in we welcomed with huge smiles and hugs, and it seemed like they were very happy with their life’s. I want to go back to Ecuador again as soon as possible, help as much as I can, and be a part of changing people’s life’s.”
Sam, High School Student

“Being a volunteer on the medical missions trip  in February 2011 was a great life changing experience for me.  I am a recent nursing graduate and this was my first “nursing job”.  Working in a foreign country with supplies and ways different from those used at Mayo was a humbling experience. I was able to use the Spanish I have been learning since my last trip to Ecuador in May 2010 with the help of our amazing interpreters.  The patients we took care and their families were so appreciative of everything we did for them, it felt very rewarding to be a part of something so amazing.  I would love to go on another medical missions trip to Ecuador in the future with Hands for Humanity and have another amazing experience.”
Dawn, RN

“The trip to Ecuador was something I’ll want and need to do every year I can.  Even though we spoke a different language from those we were caring for, there wasn’t a huge language barrier. They knew we cared, and we knew they were happy to be given the opportunity to have their loved ones cared for. That’s what impacted me the most. The fact that we were so welcomed, appreciated, and that everyone around us was so willing to help each other all for the greater good of the patient. It was also a great immersion into another culture, especially the food!”
Winie, RN

“For the past 8 years I have had the privilege of volunteering with Hands For Humanity in Portoviejo, Ecuador.  The experience has been wonderfully rewarding for myself and my family.  Each year we return home to the United States with renewed perspective on what is truly important in life and gratitude for the blessings we have been given.  Our lives are enriched by the patients we treat and the Ecuadorian friends we have made.

Hands For Humanity has given my family and I the opportunity to provide orthopedic medical care to children who would otherwise go untreated.  We are very careful to treat those orthopedic problems which have a high likelihood for success and a low chance for complications, such as congenital hip dislocation and clubfoot deformity.  In addition to performing surgery, for the past several years we have been teaching local pediatricians how to perform a clubfoot casting technique so that children might avoid surgery.  Despite their hardships and limited resources, the patients and their families are remarkably happy, content, and grateful for any care which we can provide.

Local Ecuadorian physician staff and community members are partners with Hands For Humanity providing service in Portoviejo.  Four outstanding pediatric physicians identify patients who might benefit from surgery, perform the pre-operative evaluations, provide anesthesia for surgery and care for patients after their surgery.  Community volunteers provide meals for the workers, wash linen, provide transportation and assist with every aspect of the volunteer project.  Working closely with Ecuadorian physician staff and community volunteers has created many close and rewarding friendships.

Hands For Humanity has also provided non-medical service opportunities for my family.  My wife and children – ages 10, 12 and 13 – have worked at a Portoviejo orphanage painting, sewing clothing, building playground equipment and simply playing with local children.  Our children have learned about another culture, and although they won’t always admit it, they have even learning some Spanish.  They have learned that much of the rest of the world doesn’t always get 3 warm meals each day, have 2 cars and live in the suburbs.  The safe environment provided by Hands For Humanity has allowed us to feel comfortable with the modest risk inherent in traveling to a less-well-developed country and has made possible this terrific experience for our family.

My family and I are grateful for the service opportunities, the close friendships and the broadened perspective on life which Hands for Humanity has made possible.”
Anthony Stans, MD  

“Hello my name is Caylor Jose Escalante. I first met Kate in October of 2007 during a volunteer trip to an orphange in Ecuador with Hands for Humanity. The relationships I made with Kate and the rest of the volunteer team continue to remain strong to this day. Being able to witness first hand what a difference a group like Hands for Humanity could make in the lives of so many people truly touched my heart. The physical work that our team of volunteers accomplished during our stay in Ecuador was remarkable, but what amazed me the most is how emotionally rewarding that experience was. I knew that in the short amount of time I spent at the orphanage, I made an impact on many kids’ lives and that in itself made the trip worthwhile. Having just recently started my sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati, I continue to live my life according to the lessons I learned back in 2007. I would highly recommend this organization to anyone interested in volunteer opportunities such as these. I was accepted into Hands for Humanity with arms wide open and for that, I am very thankful.”
Caylor Escalante, Volunteer