2018 Outreach Mission Trip
To fulfill our mission of providing comprehensive, compassionate and innovative care and to celebrate our 25th year in business, Northern Iowa Therapy invites our employees to participate in our new Mission Outreach Program to Guatemala.
Each year NIT will select 3 employees to attend a one week volunteer outreach program in Guatemala. This program is coordinated through New Ulm Catholic Mission in New Ulm, MN, who works with long term volunteers who serve at the mission in various aspects. This Mission has a women’s center, school, coffee processing plant, housing projects, reforestation program, a mission clinic and a rural healthcare program. Groups ranging from 2-25 volunteers in each group from all over the world are coordinated in these various areas.
The health problems in San Lucas directly reflect the poverty of the community. Among other health concerns, trauma, particularly work-related and motor vehicle injuries contribute to health problems in this area of the world. Children with chronic disorders, such as cerebral palsy, birth defects, and developmental delay have emerged as a surprisingly prevalent and serious health need. During the week in Guatemala, employees will work with Community Health Coordinators and see patients at the clinic, the school, at their home or other location. Equipment is limited and home patients may be seen on their dining room table and they may/may not have any other furniture or may not have a pillow to use.
This program is open to all employees including OT, OTA, PT, PTA, ST, administration and office staff. Travel teams will be selected based on a variety of things including but not limited to seniority, the particular focus/need for the mission, an attempt to have a broad representation of disciplines (not 3 from physical therapy). We will always have at least 1 therapist (OT, PT or ST) in each travel team. A portion of our trip may also be with therapy students.
If selected, NIT will cover the cost of:
- Flight to and from Guatemala (flights typically run between $800-$1000)
- Transportation in Guatemala
- Meals in Guatemala
- Lodging in Guatemala
Employees stay at a Guatemalan hotel (considered a nice hotel in Guatemala, but in the US is considered a run-down hotel) and are fed 3 meals/day prepared and served at the mission.
Employees will need to take their own spending money ($200 recommended) in the event you would like to go out to nice restaurant, have a beverage at a local place, or purchase souvenirs.
Read about the 2018 winners who will be representing NIT on this year’s trip HERE