International Service Learning
Health Care and Education

As a socially responsible international educational NGO, ISL enlists medical and educational volunteer teams for the provision of services to under-served populations in Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Africa.

It is the goal of ISL to partner student and professional teams from developed countries with service opportunities in developing countries. This is accomplished by offering educational opportunities on a contractual basis to both educational institutions and individual students.

Service Project(s)

Activities:

• Offering medical clinics in under-serviced communities:
  - Patient interviews/triage
  - Basic medical examinations
  - Dental cleanings/tooth extractions
  - Community health surveys
  - Vision testing
• Please Note: all activities are directed/supervised by trained physicians and/or dentists; translators assist participants in communicating with patients

Goals

• To simultaneously provide educational opportunities for students from developed countries while providing services for developing countries (including employment opportunities for health professionals, translators, cooks, etc.)
• To perform medical services in a "field clinic" setting as dictated by the needs of the communities with whom ISL works

Cost - TBD

Trip Cost covers:

• Flight
• Registration
• Insurance (health, cancellation, baggage)
• Transportation to/from Airport
• Transportation in Panama
• ASB Conference Weekend Meals
• Accommodation
• Food
• Administrative Fee (t shirt, team leader contribution, journal)
• Note: ASB participants will be responsible for any luggage costs assigned by individual airlines, souvenirs, or snacks during the trip.

Medical Precautions

Students are required to be up-to-date on Tetanus, and Hepatitis A & B. Anti-malarial medication is required. The cost of medical precautions is not included in ASB fees, and is the responsibility of the participant.

Middlesex London Health Unit
London Travel Clinic, 520 Sarnia Rd. 519-432-5508

Sample Day

Accommodations

Participants will sleep in bunk beds in a house operated by ISL. Sheets/towels are provided, however students may bring their own and may choose to donate them at the end of the experience.

Meals

Meals are prepared in-house by ISL staff or at approved local restaurants, and reflect a variety of local foods (rice, beans, chicken, tortillas, plantains, etc.) Students with specific dietary restrictions may wish to bring supplementary snacks.

Other activities may include

• visiting a national park/beach
• eating lunch at a local restaurant
• walking tour of the city
• ziplining (additional costs apply)

The Country

Panama is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The capital is Panama City. The culture, customs, and language of the Panamanians are predominantly Caribbean and Spanish. Spanish is the official and dominant language. Despite Panama's status as an upper-middle income nation, it remains a country of stark contrasts. Perpetuated by dramatic educational disparities, 30% of Panama's population lives in poverty.

The Community

Changuinola is a city in the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama. Tourism and agriculture are major industries. Changuinola has numerous banana plantations, and Chiquita Brands International employs a large majority of the area's citizens. Health care is available, but facilities are limited.

Photo Gallery

TOP