Next week is National Volunteer Week, a nationwide, annual celebration when we take the opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world. It takes place every April during Global Volunteer Month. 

We are incredibly fortunate at Medical Teams International to have so many amazing volunteers who support many aspects of our organization. Some of our volunteers work in our Distribution Center, organizing and packing medical supplies that are shipped all over the world to communities who need them. We have between 130-140 volunteers working in the Distribution Center each week, which is equivalent to the work of 12 full-time staff members – a truly incredible gift! 

Some of our volunteers work on our Care & Connect Mobile Clinc vans in the Portland and Seattle communities. Dentists and assistants gift their time and professional expertise to provide care to patients who wouldn’t otherwise be able to receive treatment for their dental problems. They not only alleviate pain, increase confidence, and ease patient concerns in the short term, but they also connect patients with important community resources that can help support their long-term health.

 

Dr. Jim Flerchinger | Volunteer Dentist, USA

“A lot of people that I see are super afraid because they’ve been mistreated in the past. I remember one lady who got upset. I needed to take a tooth out. When I took it out, she said, “You are worth a million bucks because I never felt anything.” She was so concerned she was going to feel it. That makes you feel pretty good to relieve their pain.” 

 

Around the world, our community health volunteers are vital to providing frontline health care to those who need it most. Last year, we trained and equipped 2,536 community health volunteers to go into their local communities and provide health education, resources, guidance, and support to people who might not otherwise have any access to care. 

Volunteers like Margri in Colombia embody the love of Jesus — after receiving support from our programs as a refugee herself, she was inspired to shower her love back on her neighbors and community by becoming a community health volunteer.  

 

Margri | Community Health Volunteer, Colombia 

“Being a volunteer has brought me closer to my neighbor, to those beneficiaries that feel like my family. I have felt their support toward me as well and that has changed my life completely.” 

 

 

Thanks to your support, community health volunteers reach 150,000 households per month with key health messaging, connecting people with resources, and conducting critical follow-up care so that no one slips through the cracks or is left behind. 

 

Meheret | Community Health Volunteer, Ethiopia  

“When I wear my Medical Teams vest to be ready for work, what I feel in my mind is freedom. When I go to see other refugees to find out how they are feeling, I am refreshed – with a good feeling in my heart.” 

 

 

Our volunteers never fail to rise to the challenge when crisis strikes. In Ukraine, health professionals like pharmacist Aliona stepped up to provide services dispensing medications to her neighbors who were affected by the violence and displacement caused by the war. Many hospitals and health centers have been destroyed in the conflict, so getting critical medications to patients who rely on them is life-saving work. 

Aliona | Volunteer Pharmacist, Ukraine 

“This has been the most difficult year of my life. At the same time, I’ve learned who I can count on and who will support me. Even here at the pharmacy, I’ve found an amazing network of women who stand by my side.” 

 

 

We are so incredibly grateful for our Medical Teams volunteers all around the world. Their selfless service embodies our calling of daring to love like Jesus, and we look forward to celebrating all that they contribute to Medical Teams next week during National Volunteer Week!  

If you are interested in becoming a Medical Teams volunteer, you can read more about opportunities to get involved HERE!