THE MISSION TRIP...
Four to five times a year, our medical volunteers journey to Latin America to serve those living in poverty. Unlike most mission groups, the primary focus of our trips is teaching the local medical community and working side by side with them to serve their fellow citizens. 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 Latin American 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 local medical colleagues in their work with those living in poverty. For each trip, we recruit anywhere from 5 to 30 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 most hail from the Chicago area where we are based, many others come from across the U.S. Once the team is chosen, we have a formation process that prepares the team for the physical and spiritual journey they will undertake.
We then travel to Bolivia or Paraguay 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 local 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 local medical community. On the weekend we often journey to outlying rural areas to explore the beautiful countryside and to better understand the local 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 welcome all 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 and Paraguayan colleagues, and those living in poverty. Each teaches the others how to live successful, meaningful lives, to answer God’s call and to fulfill their own vocations. |
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WHY WE GO…
Deformities and diseases that would have been cured at birth or never arisen in the U.S. are rampant among the people of Bolivia and Paraguay. Debilitating accidents are common and 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 Latin American 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.
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 Latin America. Participating in this mission will forever change your life and your relationship to the important work you do everyday. To find out about upcoming trips, click here.
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 $2,600 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 $2,600 helps to cover the expenses of the mission experience (airfare, lodging, food, etc.).
For every $1 a missioner contributes, Solidarity Bridge raises $3 to cover the cost of the mission. So for the $2,600 you raise, Solidarity Bridge independently raises $7,800 to cover additional costs.
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!
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