Health

International Service Learning (ISL) offers “hands-on” multi-disciplinary humanitarian health programs in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Africa.  These programs are not artificial or “practice” programs — they are the real thing.  We perform health services in the field under sometimes difficult (and always unpredictable and challenging) circumstances. Arriving in a foreign land, meeting a new culture, and finding yourself as you serve others–this is all part of the ISL experience. Making a heart connection with the needs of others and being able to fill those needs is both gratifying and exhilarating.  It is a truly life changing experience.

Team members first participate in our programs by collecting and bringing medical donations and small gifts for the children.  General Medicine teams receive training seminars in Tropical Medicine, Suture Practice, Giving Shots, Patient Communication, Patient Exams and Basic Pharmacy.  Dental, Physical Therapy and Veterinary Teams receive seminars that apply to their areas of service.  Local physicians train team members in how to examine, diagnose, and treat each patient.  Community Health Surveying is a vital part of our programs that explores why and how disease affects the community.  Spending time with local families helps teams better understand the problems these communities face as they seek to improve local health conditions.

All ISL teams work in full cooperation with local health officials, who direct our teams to specific locations.

For more specific information, click on the options listed on the left.