Medical Volunteer for Mission Trips to HondurasOpportunity
Overview
Embark on a life-changing journey that will not only transform the lives of others but also your own. Whether you're in the medical field or not, our mission teams work alongside local communities, making a lasting impact through service. This is your chance to explore a new culture, connect with incredible people, and make a real difference.
During your time in Honduras, you’ll stay at the clinic in Limón, where daily laundry and housekeeping services are provided. On travel nights, your team will stay at a local hotel with air conditioning for added comfort.
Your team fee covers all transportation and lodging in Honduras, meals, a portion of the cost for medicines and day-hire staff salaries, and mission travel insurance.
Team fees, deposits, payment schedules, additional activities, rest day plans, and travel arrangements may vary. For more details, please complete the interest form and a leader will be in contact.
Mission Trips Can Be a Huge Financial Commitment!
To help you plan for your short-term mission trip, CHHF will allow you to make monthly payments along with a monthly donation to the organization. Set up your account now, or email us and for more information.
Mission Trip Overview
The CHHF medical mission is an ongoing healthcare program for patients in the Dept. of Colón, Honduras. Our medical mission teams provide consistent healthcare to the region. We rely on volunteers to support this work, with 19 teams each year serving our clinics.
The area served by CHHF clinics stretches along the Caribbean Mosquito Coast and inland to nearby mountains. This includes the village of Limón, 23 hamlets, and a rural area encompassing 633.4 square kilometers. In 2014 CHHF began serving an additional 16 hamlets in the Chapagua area near Trujillo, with about 6,000. In addition, teams travel to distant villages and set up clinics in schools or churches to ease the burden for patients who cannot travel to the clinic facilities.
The Mission
The primary goal of a mission trip is to provide life-changing medical care to people who do not have reliable access to treatment. Since CHHF has served the Dept. of Colón for over 27 years, patients know they will receive quality care. You can expect to see entire families who may travel hours to see you at the clinic.
Many people in the villages cannot afford healthcare. Therefore, many of your patients will have conditions that are treatable with education and modern medicine. During the clinic, you can expect to see respiratory and GI illnesses. Diabetes and hypertension are also common. Malnutrition is common.
You will also see many less-serious conditions. But remember, you may be the only healthcare provider a patient has seen all year, and your attention lets them know their health is worthwhile. In addition, while treating your patients, you will learn about their daily struggle to find work, provide proper nutrition and cope with their environment.
A typical team includes:
- A volunteer team leader who coordinates the trip. This leader can also serve in one of the below-listed capacities.
- Providers including doctors, PAs, NPs, dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, ophthalmologists, & opticians
- Pharmacist – at least one trained pharmacist and one assistant
- Nurse, CNA, EMT – usually 2 or more
- Medical Interpreters
- Non-medical volunteers who conduct programs in the community or complete planned construction projects.
- A Honduran Director and other Honduran staff to assist your team throughout the trip
Your Journey Begins
Your team flies into San Pedro Sula* where native Honduran drivers meet them. It's time to buckle up because there is still a lot of traveling to go! During the next three to four hours, you will stop for lunch, enjoy a visit with peacocks at a gas station, and become acquainted with your teammates. Then you will drive to La Ceiba and stay in the city overnight.
After a good night's rest, you and the team will spend the morning grocery shopping and travel to Limón. Make sure you’re awake for the ride – you won’t want to miss the sights as you enter the beautiful mountains.
After arriving in Limón, your team will unpack and settle into your beachfront home for the next week. You'll meet many of your Honduran team members who will be there to help you throughout the week. Bedrooms and bathrooms are shared, but daily housekeeping and laundry services will be provided. In addition, local cooks will provide dinner.
Team orientation will occur after dinner, so you are ready to start clinic the next day.
*Some team into Roatán and take local transportation to La Ceiba, where a Honduran driver will meet you.
Clinic Days
The best days of every mission trip are those you spend with the Honduran patients. They look towards team members as experts and are grateful for your help. Take some time and talk to them. They are more than happy to share their lives with you. Local interpreters are always glad to help!
Clinic days can be long and hot - so please plan to take good care of yourself. Make sure you stay hydrated in a clinic facility and at remote locations! Your team may see 50 people in a day or 200 people in a day. Regardless, you are there serving just as you were meant to be.
Before your trip, enjoy stories from fellow team members in our blog section.
As Your Journey Comes to an End
As your time in Limón comes to an end, you really won't want to leave. We understand! Your memories will have to sustain you until your next trip.
Teams will spend the last afternoon or evening preparing the clinic for the next team. That means creating a pharmacy inventory, a pantry list, and a maintenance needed list! Visit the beautiful beach one last time because you will be on the road to La Ceiba in the morning.
Many teams spend the last day in Honduras at a resort or taking a local excursion - talk to your team leader to see how your team will unwind after the long journey.
You can find the 2025 mission trips schedule on Changing Lives Mission - Carolina Honduras Health Foundation
