Why should I volunteer with MEI?
Volunteering with MEI is a great opportunity to serve those who truly need your help, to experience the world in a way most tourists never even imagine and to meet a great group of like-minded volunteers. We work directly with local healthcare providers and always at the direct invitation of the communities we serve. |
How can I help?
You can help by volunteering to go on an international expedition. MEI is an all-volunteer organization that relies on medical personnel and a limited number of lay people to go on expeditions to serve people and animals that need medical attention in the world's most under-served areas. All volunteers pay their own travel expenses. We also rely on donations to help with the cost of setting up health clinics in under-served areas, including purchasing medications and supplies. We are grateful for donations in any amount. |
How do I volunteer to go on a medical expedition?
Please fill out the online application and someone will contact you with more information. |
Will I be able to take my spouse and/or children on an expedition?
Yes, if they are able to help out in a lay capacity. Some of our trips have limited space, but we give priority to non-medical spouses and children over other lay volunteers. |
Can I volunteer if I am not in the medical field?
Yes, MEI accepts some non-medical volunteers. The spaces are sometimes limited; however, there is usually room for several non-medical volunteers. |
How can I, or my company, make a financial or in-kind donation to MEI?
You can contribute by clicking on donation area or by sending us a donation by check. Feel free to call us for more information about how to make a financial or in-kind donation. Donations of medications and medical supplies are always appreciated. |
Does MEI provide financial aid or offer medical elective opportunities to students?
No. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to provide financial aid. We do not currently have programs to satisfy the elective requirements for medical students. |
Will volunteers have time to enjoy tourist activities on a medical expedition?
Yes. MEI always incorporates a bit of tourism into the trip. We believe that part of the experience of helping others overseas is getting to know their countries and cultures. We recognize that many medical professionals have limited time to travel and to volunteer and that they want to make the most of their vacation time. However, the majority of time will be spent doing medical work. |
What are living conditions like on a medical expedition?
Living conditions will vary. We may stay in an ecolodge, in a church, in a monastery or in a very basic hotel. Some medical sites will require camping in a tent. It will depend on the housing available at the medical site. In the cities, or during any tourism portion, we will stay in first class hotels. |
Are my travel expenses tax-deductible?
Travel expenses incurred on a trip that is mostly charitable in nature may be deductible, though the monetary value of your volunteer time is not. However, for U.S. citizens, a 1986 Tax Act denies a deduction for travel expenses when the volunteer enjoys a significant amount of personal pleasure, recreation or vacation before, during or after a service program. The participation fee is usually tax-deductible as an "Out of Pocket Expense in the pursuit of Charitable Work." MEI will send letters of acknowledgement to document your contributions and/or payments from supporters. We recommend that you and/or your supporters consult with a tax advisor for further information.
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What documents do I need to travel?
You will always need a valid passport. You may or may not need a visa, depending on which country we will be visiting. For our project in India, you will need to apply for special permission to enter the protected area where we work. We will provide you with detailed country-specific information about travel documents. You may also find information at the State Department web site. |
What health preparations do I need to make?
For most of our medical sites, you will need to make sure you get the proper vaccinations and/or bring along malaria prevention medications. We will provide you with detailed country- specific health information well in advance of the trip. You can also find information at the CDC web site.
You will also need to purchase travel health insurance. Most private health plans do not provide for medical evacuation in case of an emergency. We will provide you with information about how to purchase travel health insurance. |
How many people are on most medical teams?
Most teams have anywhere from eight to fifteen people on them. |
Is it safe to travel with MEI?
We make safety a priority and do our best to ensure the safety of every medical team. We keep abreast of events in the host country and we always provide access to up-to-date travel safety information. If circumstances appear dangerous, we will not hesitate to cancel or re-route a group. It is strongly urged that people considering a MEI mission review the relevant country information provided by the U.S. State Department and the CDC before making any decision to participate. It's important to remember, however, that we do travel off the beaten path, and that affords a certain degree of unpredictability. Things NEVER go exactly as planned. An open mind and heart, along with a lot of flexibility, will help smooth the way.
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