THE MISSION TRIP...

Three to fives times a year, our medical volunteers journey to Bolivia to serve the poor for ten days. Unlike most mission groups, the primary focus of our trips is teaching the Bolivian medical community and working side by side with them to serve the poor. The vast majority of medical mission groups swoop into a developing world country, save some lives, and pack up and go home. We firmly believe in the value of the fruits of our trips lasting long after we have gone. Therefore we put a strong emphasis on teaching and equipping our Bolivian colleagues, thus benefiting many more of the poor than we could ever help on our own.

In the months before the Mission Trip, we gather surgical and medical supplies and equipment to be used during our time there and left for the use of our Bolivian medical counterparts in their work with the poor. For each trip, we recruit anywhere from 5 to 25 missioners. Some missioners speak Spanish but others do not. Volunteers include nurses, surgical technicians, surgeons, dentists, medical specialists, general practitioners, translators, chaplains, photographers, videographers, and helpers. Though many hail from the Chicago area where we are based, others come from across the U.S. Once the team is gathered, we have a formation process that prepares the team for the physical and spiritual journey they will undertake.

We then travel to Bolivia and connect with a hospital and outlying clinics where we provide our services. Each U.S. surgeon and most of the doctors and nurses are teamed with a Bolivian counterpart. They work side by side, learn from each other, and often form strong bonds of friendship.

After working hard all day, many of our medical and pastoral team spend their evenings giving educational seminars for the Bolivian community. On the weekend we often journey to outlying rural areas to explore the beautiful Bolivian countryside and to better understand the Bolivian people and their culture. Upon our return, we have a debriefing session of reflection, connection, and thanksgiving that brings the mission experience to a close.

OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY…

Our missioners are composed of a variety of faiths or no faith tradition, with the majority being Catholic. Regardless of the missioner's faith, each mission is a spiritual journey for all involved. We do not proselytize, but celebrate our faith by action and example. People of all faiths are encouraged to join us on our mission trips and we do our best to welcome them into our spiritual sharing and reflection.

On each mission trip, a small pastoral team accompanies our missioners. All missioners are welcomed to participate in daily group reflection and to receive spiritual counseling. Perhaps most importantly, there is extraordinary value in the solidarity that is developed between our U.S. missioners, their Bolivian counterparts, and the poor. Each teaches the others how to live successful, meaningful lives, to answer God’s call and to fulfill their own vocations.

WHY WE GO…

Deformities and diseases that would have been cured at birth or never arisen in the U.S. are rampant among the Bolivian people. Debilitating accidents are common and 46 percent of children are undernourished. For many, our medical help is their only chance for a productive life or even survival.

Our Medical Program is a partnership between U.S. and Bolivian medical personnel (primarily surgical) who serve the poor in their critical health needs. The mission experience is a unique opportunity for U.S. medical personnel to more deeply explore their calling to serve humanity.

Not only the sick and poor, but also U.S. and Bolivian medical personnel, as well as all our volunteers and donors, have needs that can be met by Solidarity Bridge. They feel the need to give in gratitude for the blessings in their own lives. They have a need to do more than just climb the career success ladder or to lead a comfortable life. Without effective ways to help others, their lives would lack the cohesiveness and fulfillment that only comes from giving.

VOLUNTEER!

Join us by volunteering for one of our Mission Trips. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do. They give generously of their time, talent, and resources to empower and heal the people of Bolivia. Participating in this mission will forever change your life and your relationship to the important work you do everyday.

Though we are a Catholic organization, we invite people of all faiths and those with no connection to a religious tradition to join us.

We ask each missioner to donate $2,400 to Solidarity Bridge. If this sum is daunting to you, we can equip you with fundraising ideas and tools. Many of our volunteers give their friends, family and church communities the opportunity to help the poor by contributing for the mission trip. In addition, no volunteer will be turned away purely on the basis of financial hardship, but will be considered according to the staffing needs of the mission - we especially encourage nurses to ask for assistance in fundraising. The $2,400 helps to cover the expenses of the mission experience (airfare, lodging, food, etc.). For every $1 a missioner contributes, Solidarity Bridge must raise $3 to cover the cost of the mission.

If you are interested in joining us, call or e-mail us for more info or click here for an application.

We also often need volunteers to help in our office and at our events in Evanston, IL. Please give us a call or e-mail if you'd like to help out!