In the Amazon Region, Medical Ministry International serves three countries: Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Road access is not available in this region; only river and plane. Because of this, if a Brazilian needs medical care, for example, they must travel by boat up to six or seven days to Manaus. Peruvians must travel three to four days up to Iquitos. Colombians must take a plane to Bogotá.

The Yavarí River region is inhabited by Peruvians and Brazilians belonging to the Ticuna tribe. These people live in communities that range from 80 to 600 people, and each village has a leader that works with a small council. The large families live in wooden homes and have a chakra where they farm and cultivate land for their living. Healthcare access is supported by outreach programs with Clínica Leticia and MMI.

Project Description
Yavarí River, Amazon project teams will join forces with Clínica Leticia. On most projects, the team stays in tents inside a school or a house and travels by boat to seven villages. The primary goal is to provide physical, spiritual, and emotional care to the Indigenous populations. In each village we often see 150 patients, or cover 50% of the villages need. While on the river, bucket showers or bathing in the river is common. Electricity is available during select periods of time.

CLICK HERE to view MMI Amazon Packing Suggestions

Elevation
96 m (314 ft)

Climate
A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the months: May, June, July, August, September and October.
Hot and humid
Average Temperature 27°C (80.6°F)

The Igara Paraná River is part of the Amazon River basin and is a tributary of the Putumayo River. The Igara Paraná river has 23 communities, each one with an average of 250 people. Chorrera is the main village with 500 people. These villages are usually located off the main river on a tributary or a beautiful lake. The homes are generally built with wood, bamboo, and leaves.

The people living in these communities are described as humble, hospitable, and gentle. You will often find people hunting, fishing, or grinding “manioc”, and travelling via flat-bottom canoes from place to place.

Project Description
On these projects, teams provide health care to five villages along the Igara Paraná. Our small team travels by boat and sets up camp in the villages, usually tenting inside a school or house. While on the river, bucket showers or bathing in the river is common. Electricity is available during select periods of time.

CLICK HERE to view MMI Amazon Packing Suggestions

Climate
The climate ranges from subtropical in the north to temperate humid in the south, with less plentiful rainfall.

Travelers are required to have a valid passport for the duration of their stay. Travel visa is not required.

• Americans: Click here for information found on the US State Department website.

• Canadians: You will be asked to fill out a form for a TOURIST visa at the Bogotá airport. Canadians must pay a Colombia Reciprocity Fee - Effective December 1st, 2014, Colombia began charging a reciprocity fee to citizens of Canada arriving at an airport in Colombia.

The fee of approximately $88 CAD (or 160.000 Colombian pesos) per person is valid for a single entry into the country, and is payable by international credit card or debit card. If made in cash, the payment must be in Colombian pesos. A dedicated counter will be available to Canadian citizens who must pay the reciprocity fee before proceeding to immigration control. The fee does not apply to Canadian citizens who:

• Are under the age of 14 or over the age of 79
• Hold a valid visa to enter Colombia

Passengers who are unable to pay the fee will not be allowed into Colombia.

Travelers to Putumayo, Meta, Gorgona (Cauca), Tayrona National Park (Magdalena), and Caquetá must produce proof of yellow fever vaccination, as it will be required by airlines for flights to these departments.

Click here to view the most current entry/exit requirements for Canadians

• International: Please contact the MMI Office or Globespan Travel Management for visa requirement, if needed. mmitravel@globespan.com

Please email ALL CREDENTIALS upon application, as these must go to the Project Director in the country to be translated and then taken to the Ministry of Health to get temporary licenses prior to your arrival.

• For everyone, we need:

- Colour Scan / Photocopy of Passport (photo page)

- Colour photo for your name badge (any good photo, we can adjust size)

- Travel Itinerary

- Supply Lists

• Medical Professionals, we also need your:

- Current License (through time of project)

- Diploma (Techs, Nursing, Dental, MD and Board Certifications)

- Curriculum Vitae or Resume (this also will help the Project Director know your skills & experience to assign you a task on the project, especially for 1st time participants)

• Health Care Students: Letter of Good Standing from your school (including year of study and graduation date).

• All MINORS travelling with only one parent, or without their parents, will need a letter from BOTH parents stating that it is OK for the child to travel with one parent or an appointed guardian. The letter should be signed and notarized. MMI needs a copy of this letter, and the parent or guardian should carry the original letter while travelling.

Airfare is not included on the Project Schedule because the costs for airfare vary significantly based on the country location, location of team members, and time of year.

Once accepted for a Project Team, participants can contact our designated travel agent to coordinate schedules with the team itinerary.

Globespan Travel Management
www.globespan.com

Email: Globespan on behalf of Medical Ministry International mmitravel@globespan.com

Phone: Connie Kelsey at: (800) 810-1948 or (416) 322-7629

• Applicants from outside USA or Canada:
Travel arrangement can be procured locally or with the recommended agency, but arrivals & departures must coordinate with team.

• Airport: Vasquez Cobo airport in Leticia (LET) via El Dorado International Airport Bogotá (BOG) on one continuous ticket.

We strongly recommend that you consult a travel clinic, as they are aware of outbreaks and can suggest preventative immunizations. Specifically, inquire about malaria prophylaxis. All routine immunizations should be up-to-date. Please check the following website for the most current information.

• Americans: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/colombia

• Canadians: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/colombia

The team will be sleeping in tents inside a school or house. While on the river, bucket showers or bathing in the river is common. Electricity is available only from 6-10pm. It will possibly be muddy or rainy, so waterproof boots and jackets are recommended.

• Laundry Service: sometimes available for additional fee

• Hot Water: No

• AC: No

• Phone Service: check with your cell phone provider, roaming is very expensive.

• Wifi/Internet: Only on the first and last day of the trip, while in Leticia

• Voltage: 110V/220V, depending on village.

• Meals: MMI will provide meals for the team. Dietary restrictions can be indicated on your application and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Be sure to bring your own re-usable water bottle with a wide mouth for refilling. Purified water is supplied. If you would like to bring snacks to have throughout the day, please bring items such as peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix or pretzels and crackers in sealable containers (like Ziploc bags).

Extreme Amazon: The goal is to provide delicious and balanced meals, but there are times when refrigeration is not possible; so, local food from each village like fish and jungle meat (such as crocodile) is served. Vegetables are not easy to come by in the jungle.

• Language: Spanish (official)

• Religion:

– Roman Catholic: 90%

– Other: 10%

• Government: Presidential Republic

The money in Colombia is called the Colombian Peso (COP). MMI staff will help you exchange money. All major credit cards are accepted in Colombia. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted. You must bring US dollars in good condition - torn, stamped or old bills will not be exchanged. Also, $1 bills are not useful in Colombia; they are exchanged for less than other bills. $100.00 bills that are older than 2006 or start with the series CB are not accepted.