Pre-Departure Packet
INDIA - Project Kodaikanal
OVERVIEW
Congratulations! You have completed all FIMRC pre-trip requirements and are now cleared for travel. It is time to prepare for
your volunteer experience in India! In the following packet, you will find a wealth of information from packing tips, contact
information, arrival logistics and more! Please read all information carefully and, of course, we are always here to answer any
questions you may have.
A LETTER FROM FIMRC HEADQUARTERS
CONTENTS
The Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) is pleased to
welcome you to the FIMRC Family. We are looking forward to your service in India
and hope that you are too. This amazing experience will allow you to immerse
yourself in a new culture while providing unique opportunities to get to know a
community in the developing world.
3 Meet the Team
This packet contains useful information for your trip and will answer many of the
questions that you may have. Included is packing advice, arrival and housing
logistics and an emergency contact list among other things. We hope that you will
take a moment to familiarize yourself with the content so that you can confidently
travel to our site in India. We would like to make your volunteer mission as
comfortable as possible, so if you have any further questions after reading through
this packet, please feel free to contact us.
7 Arrival Process
As a volunteer with Project Kodaikanal, you will carry out vital tasks in support of
FIMRC’s mission to provide quality health care to children who are underprivileged
and underserved. FIMRC realizes that to truly change the health care conditions
of places like Kodaikanal, on-site medical attention is only one piece of the puzzle.
Diligence in spreading the word about our mission is also necessary so that
everyone is aware that there are children who do not receive the medical care that
they deserve. Your impact on the community in Kodaikanal can be felt long after
you board the plane home simply by sharing stories of your volunteer mission to
friends and family. We are so excited to welcome you to our FIMRC team and are
proud that you have decided to join the effort to create a world in which every child
has an equal opportunity to benefit from modern medicine.
On behalf of the entire FIMRC team, we thank you for your support and hope your
experience is nothing short of extraordinary!
Vikram Bahkru, MD
Founder and Chairman
Meredith Welsh
Chief Executive Officer
Caitlin Huber
Global Health Volunteer
Program Manger
2
4 Know Before You Go
5 Packing Guide
6 Packing Guide cont.
8 Get to Know Kodaikanal
9 Your Volunteer Mission
10 Accommodations
11 Additional Information
12 Staying Healthy
13 FAQs
14 Stay Involved
MEET THE TEAM
Arun Selvaraj, Field Operations Director
Arun joined the FIMRC team in 2012 and oversees all on site and volunteer operations at Project
Kodaikanal. Prior to joining our team, He practiced as a Midwife & RN in Pondicherry, after which
he worked as critical care nurse dealing with end stage patients. He pursued his post graduate
education in International Public Health at Lund University in Sweden, focusing on sexual and
reproductive health and rights. As a volunteer, you will work alongside Arun during your volunteer
experience.
Seline George, Outreach Nurse
Seline worked as a nurse in Kodaikanal for more than twenty years in local hospitals. She
has ample of experience working with crèches and tribal communities. Seline coordinates the
activities of Project Kodaikanal along with Arun and assists the clinic doctor during medical
checkups in the crèches and oversees the FIMRC rural clinic. She also works with the volunteers
in helping them understand the social and cultural context of healthcare in India.
You will have the opportunity to work alongside additional field staff during your time at Project Kodaikanal. You can learn
more about the entire team via the link below.
Learn More
CONTACT INFORMATION
India
FIMRC HQ, Philadelphia
Arun Selvaraj, Field Operations Director
Caitlin Huber, GHVP Manager
404-441-7570 (mobile)
+91 94-8702-0511
Seline George, Outreach Nurse
[email protected]
Meredith Welsh, Chief Executive Officer
+91 99-4217-5007
Maheshwari Kannan, Outreach Nurse
267-290-8151 (mobile)
+91 8489120140
FIMRC HQ Office
FIMRC Volunteer Guesthouse
888-211-8575
• ext. 1 (Main Office : Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm EST)
• ext. 3 (24/7 Emergency Line)
04542-243699
When calling the US from India dial 00 + 1 + the 10-digit number.
When calling Indian cell numbers from within India, dial 0 before the
number.
When calling India from the US, dial 91 before the number.
WhatsApp
FIMRC encourages all volunteers to download WhatsApp prior to travel in order to easily
communicate with in-country staff as well as friends and family back home. WhatsApp uses
your phone’s Internet connection, instead of your cell data, to send text messages and to
make voice calls. The app is a free download for iPhone, Android, and Windows phones.
FIMRC team members, both in the US and India, can be reached via WhatsApp.
3
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
CURRENCY
BUDGET TIPS
Exchanging Money & ATMs
The currency of India is the rupee. Exchange rates to the US
dollar are available at www.xe.com/ucc. Currency can be
exchanged at airport stands both in the US and India. Your
bank may also offer exchange services.
Volunteers generally incur costs during their trip for activities
not included in the daily volunteering program. The following
is a list of common weekly expenses:
• Spending money: $50+ (dependent upon spending
preferences and interest in excursions)
• Calling card: $6 (approx 20 min.)
• Lunch/weekend meals: $2 - 5 daily
• Tourist visa: $120 (valid for 10 yrs, multiple entry)
Notifying your Bank
Before you leave, you should notify your bank or credit
provider that you will be traveling abroad, as unusual credit
card use may trigger fraud protection and freeze your
account.
Field Operations Director Arun will provide information about
tipping when dining out.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
VACCINATIONS
Passport
For international travel, a U.S. passport is required. Your
passport must be valid for at least six months from the date
of departure and contain at least two blank pages. Please
note, pages reserved for amendments and endorsements
cannot be used for visas. You will not be allowed on the
airline if your passport expires within the next six months.
No vaccinations are required by law when traveling to India
from the U.S., but we recommend consulting your doctor,
as well as www.cdc.gov/travel for the most up-to-date
recommendations. Medical decisions are your responsibility,
and the cost of vaccinations will be dependent on your
decisions
GUESTHOUSE ADDRESS
Tourist Visa Requirement
A TOURIST visa is required for travel to India. Visas must be
obtained in advance and we recommend applying for your
visa at least one month prior to travel.
For Reference Only - not a mailing address
19/135, V.G. Home, Observatory Road, Kodaikanal 624103
ELECTRICITY & INTERNET
Tourist Visa Application Details
Online Application: https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa/
Electricity in India is 240 Volts. You will require a voltage
converter from 240V to 110V if you are carrying a device that
does not accommodate 110V as well as 240V. Specifications
for a particular device may be found on a charger. For
example, a cell phone charger will have voltage information
printed under the prongs. You will not find this information
on the cell phone itself. Most electronic devices, such as
computers and cell phones, can adapt to either voltage.
However, you will need a plug adapter in these cases to
connect your appliance to the two/three round pins power
outlet found in India. Please note that power cuts do happen
frequently in India.
When asked “What is the purpose of your travel?” please
select “Tourism”.
For your US reference, you should list your parents or
whomever you consider your emergency contact. For your
India reference, please list the following:
Name: Kodai Peak Hotel (no individual name needed, hotel
only)
Address: No: 24/A, Poombari Road, Opposite Solar
Observatory, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101, India
Phone: 4542 245 700
Volunteers who are not U.S. citizens must check with their
consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal
identification is required. If you plan to travel outside India,
please make sure you know the legal entry/exit requirements
of each country you intend to visit.
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PACKING GUIDE
It’s time to start packing! Below we have compiled a list of most commonly needed items. We ask that you be culturally
sensitive and professional when choosing clothes to bring on your trip; low-cut tops, short shorts and other revealing clothing
should not be worn to the clinic, in the city, or during other activities. You should limit your luggage to one suitcase plus one
small backpack for your carry-on and daily use. Make sure you have luggage tags for each suitcase.
CLOTHING & SHOES
BUSINESS CASUAL ATTIRE
LIGHTWEIGHT WORKWEAR
Business casual clothing is preferred in
the clinical setting. (i.e. collared shirt,
long pants, button down shirt)
Light-weight long pants or skirts for
activities such as home visits. Skirts
should provide full coverage.
COMFORTABLE SHOES
We recommend comfortable
sneakers or hiking shoes. Closed toed
comfortable shoes are essential for
community outreach and clinic time.
Don’t forget socks!
FLIP FLOPS / SANDALS
SLEEPWEAR
RAIN GEAR
Sandals are great, but be sure they
have sturdy straps to handle the
rugged terrain. Flip flops are great
shower shoes!
Don’t forget your comfy PJs. T-shirts
and comfy pants are just fine for
lounging at the end of the day.
Traveling during rainy season (FebNov)? Pack a rain jacket or poncho and
rainboots or shoes that you don’t mind
getting wet.
SWEATSHIRT/FLEECE
NICE OUTFIT
FIMRC APPAREL
Due to the elevation, it gets quite chilly
at night! Be sure to bring along a scarf,
cardigan, and other warm layers.
You may visit local museums, markets,
or go out to dinner. If so, you may want
to have a nice outfit on hand.
While not required, you can order
FIMRC gear at www.fimrc.org/gear.
Items are not available for purchase
on site.
SUNSCREEN
HAND SANITIZER
TOILETRIES
BUG SPRAY
We strongly recommend that
volunteers wear effective insect
repellent. CDC recommendation is 30-
Pay attention to the SPF! The sun is
strong so we recommend re-applying
your sunscreen throughout the day.
Personal sized hand sanitizer is great
to have while working in the clinic and
community. Wipes are also great to
toss in your bag!
TOOTHBRUSH & TOOTHPASTE
MEDICATIONS
PERSONAL ITEMS
We are pretty passionate about dental
care! Don’t forget your floss!
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal and
anti-constipation medications are
recommended for travelers. If you are
prone to motion sicknesses, prepare
accordingly. Pack all medications in
original labeled containers.
Do not forget shampoo, soap, personal
hygieine items, etc. These are not
provided. An extra roll of toilet paper is
also great to have in case a bathroom
in the community does not provide it.
35% DEET.
WEATHER IN INDIA
The weather remains chilly throughout the year, typically between 45 to 65 degrees
Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms occur on occasion so please make sure to carry appropriate rain
gear. The rainy season extends from February to November. Forecasts for Kodaikanal can
be found at www.weather.com. Clothing for your trip should accommodate the diversity in
weather and working environments that you will experience while in India.
5
PACKING GUIDE
SUPPLIES & TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACK
SMALL FLASHLIGHT
Safe filtered drinking water will be
provided for the duration of your stay.
Be sure to bring a sturdy reusable
water bottle. It is important to stay
hydrated!
Basic backpack that will hold
your water bottle and other small
necessities. If its waterproof - even
better!
A small flashlight (with batteries) is
great to have in case there is a power
outage. These are common in India.
TOWELS
GLASSES
PLASTIC BAGS
Bed linens are provided, but you are
required to bring your own bath towel
and washcloth.
Prescription glasses should be brought
as a back up to contacts. Don’t forget
your contact solution!
Grocery bags, small garbage bags, and
ziploc bags are all great for organizing
and storing dirty laundry.
ELECTRONICS
SNACKS
TAMIL/ENGLISH DICTIONARY
Laptop, camera, smart phone, etc.
Not required but great for keeping in
touch with friends and family. FIMRC
is not responsible for lost or damaged
electronics. Don’t forget your adapter,
if needed.
Peanut butter, protein bars or any other
special snack / treat you can’t easily
get in India.
Practice practice practice! A dictionary
as well as a small journal are great for
learning new vocabulary!
PASSPORT & LICENSE
PHOTOCOPIES
Make sure your passport is valid for
six months after your travel dates. You
should also carry your driver’s license
or other form of photo ID.
Make photocopies of all travel
documents and store them separately
from the hard copies in case they are
lost.
CONTACT INFORMATION
WATER BOTTLE
Please store all staff member contact
information in your phone and print a
hard copy to carry with you.
LOST LUGGAGE
It is useful to pack one change of clothes
and essential toiletries in your carry-on in
case of baggage delay. FIMRC is not responsible for loss
or damage to luggage or personal belongings. You must
report any loss or damage immediately at the time of
the incident and obtain a written report from the local
authority. If you have travel insurance, you will need to
submit this report to your insurance provider.
If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a
baggage claim form must be filed with the carrier before
leaving the airport. In the case that your luggage is lost,
our staff will wait for you while you file your claim.
6
ARRIVAL PROCESS
Below you will find step-by-step instructions designed to help you smoothly navigate arrival in India. From customs and
immigration to baggage claim - we’ve got you covered. Be sure to read through this information carefully and to print a
copy of the staff contact information on page 2. Should you encounter any issues during travel or while at the airport, please
contact Arun Selvaraj.
1
Airport Arrival
Keep your seatbelt fastened until the plane has come to a complete stop and the captain has turned off the fasten seatbelt
sign. Follow the masses to the immigration lines.
2
Immigration
Have your tourist visa ready to give the immigration officer. Please note, unless you are an Indian citizen, make sure you have
an Indian Tourist Visa before leaving the U.S. FIMRC is not responsible for obtaining this visa for you. It is important to indicate
that you are traveling for tourism purposes.
3
Baggage Claim
Once you locate your baggage, proceed to customs area. It is important that you keep the baggage stub given to to you when
you check your luggage in the United States en route to India. It is invaluable if your luggage is lost. Call Field Operations
Director Arun if your luggage is lost.
4
Customs
Place your baggage on the x-ray belt and proceed to the other side to recover the bag. If an officer calls you to the side to
search your bag, do so and remain calm. Generally they are looking for contraband and if not found will let you go. There are
two lines at customs. Typically, volunteers do not have any items to declare at customs and simply follow this line.
5
Meet FIMRC’s Driver
Due to airport regulations, FIMRC staff cannot enter the airport to pick you up, so they will be waiting for you at the exit. After
you pass through immigration and customs, exit the airport. You will see transport waiting with a ‘FIMRC’ sign. Your driver will
then provide transport directly to the project site. The driver is also happy to stop for food or water during the drive, simply let
him know!
6
Arrive at Guesthouse
Our driver will take you directly to the project site. If arriving at Madurai Airport, the drive will take approximately 4 hours. The
drive is 6 hours from Coimbatore. While not required, many volunteers tip the driver 100 - 200 rupees upon arrival on-site. Arun
will be at the guesthouse to greet you in Kodaikanal.
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GET TO KNOW PROJECT KODAIKANAL
FIMRC launched Project Kodaikanal in 2004. Early efforts included partnerships with local crches day care centers, where
FIMRC provided nutritional support and well child checks to the children that attended the centers. In order to expand medical
services to the entire family, FIMRC opened a small rural clinic in 2012. FIMRC continues to provide support to five local
creches and provides health services from our rural clinic to patients of all ages. Recently, specialty care for women has been
added to services offered at our facility. Additionally, FIMRC supports local hospitals in the area and provides assistance during
the Kodaikanal’s annual surgical camp.
BACKGROUND
Setting: Hill Station
Population Size: 35,500
Region: Southern India
CLINICAL CARE
Facility: FIMRC’s Rural Clinic
Patients Served: 175 monthly
Services Offered:
• Primary: general consults for patients of all ages
• Pediatric: well child visits
• Women’s Health: pap smears, breast exams
• Pharmacy: medications, pharmaceutical counseling
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Health Education Programs:
• Nutritional support at local crèches
• Chimney/respiratory health project
• Women’s health groups
• Adolescent health groups
• Community health surveys
• Home health visits
MEET THE CRECHE KIDS
Over 10 years ago, FIMRC’s first
programs in Kodaikanal centered
around supporting the local crèches.
We are so excited to now support five
crèches in the community through providing well
child checks and nutritional supplements. As
a volunteer in Kodaikanal, you will spend time
assisting with check-ups and health education
activities with the children. For a first hand
look at the crèche centers and the Kodaikanal
commuinty, click on the video to the right. Enjoy!
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YOUR VOLUNTEER MISSION
First step accomplished: you made it! What is going to happen now? Every week here is different and plans change quickly so
flexibility is key! You can read more about potential activities below, and a detailed itienrary will be reviewed with you during
on site orientation.
MONDAY - FRIDAY
Morning
Afternoon
Get up, eat breakfast, and be ready to start your day at the
clinic. Staff will give you an overview of the day and will
review your morning clinic duties. After clinical consultations
end for the morning, staff and volunteers will eat lunch
together.
After lunch, clinical consults may continue or we may head to
the crèches or out into the community for health education
and outreach activities. We typically finish around 3-3:30 so
that you can enjoy the afternoon.
Potential Activities
Potential Activities
• Greet patients as they enter the waiting area
• Assist with intake before the patient’s consultation
• Observe the clinic physician
• Assist with pharmacy operations
• Conduct height and weight measurements at local crèches
• Accompany staff on home health visits
• Go on rounds with physician at KHMS Hospital
• Lead health education session with women’s group
AREAS OF ASSISTANCE
Health Education Campaigns
Assistance at Crèches
You will spend time in each crèche assisting the
teachers with daily activities for the kids such as
teaching dance, rhymes, alphabets, and colors. Once a
month, volunteers assist with checking anthropometric
measurements (height, weight and arm circumference)
for all children in the crèche in order to monitor growth.
On a weekly basis, volunteers can help the doctor with
well child checks.
Many afternoons are devoted to health education
sessions. Sessions are conducted with teachers
on basic child care and ways to alleviate common
infections. Children are often taught health information
through interactive skits. Through various public
health initiatives, you will be able to connect with the
community and also alleviate the sheer volume of
patients by preventive health measures. You will also
be involved in setting up monthly health education
sessions for parents.
Physician Shadowing
Health Groups
You will be able to watch medical examinations and
procedures at Kodaikanal Health and Medical Service
(KHMS) and Pasam Trust and observe work in the
pharmacy and lab. Additionally, you will be able to
participate in rural medical visits to do outreach/
education/screening with our doctor. The nature of your
clinical experience will depend on your skill set and
clinical consults taking place during your visit.
FIMRC facilitates health education sesions with
Women’s empowerment groups. Around 150 women
attend the session once per month. Topics include:
nutrition ,hygiene and sanitation, as well as materinal
and child health. Volunteers get to interact with
different sets of beneficiaries and gain knowledge and
understanding of local society by participating in the
group meetings.
Community Health Surveys
Ofentimes, volunteers will be able to accompany local
staff to conduct health surveys in the areas surrounding
all crèches where FIMRC works. The data collected is
analyzed to ensure that FIMRC’s health improvement
programs are relevant to the most pressing community
needs.
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ACCOMMODATIONS
HOUSING
MEALS
You will be staying at FIMRC’s Volunteer Guesthouse located in a
safe area of Kodaikanal.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are provided during volunteer days (Monday
- Friday) as part of your program fee. Volunteers are responsible
for the purchase of lunch daily as well as meals on weekends.
Accommodation Details
There is a western-style bathroom in the guesthouse, and
volunteers take bucket baths with hot water, indoors within a
private bathroom. Volunteers stay in shared rooms with one to
three other volunteers; our staff will do their best to honor all
rooming preferences as stated in your enrollment forms. There
is an Indian style kitchen with gas cylinder, microwave oven,
blender and other utensils for cooking at the guest house. At least
one FIMRC staff member will reside at the guesthouse when
volunteers are present.
Beverages
Tap water in India is not potable. Please use commercially
available bottled mineral water. Be sure that the heat molded seal
on the bottleneck has not been broken and that the shape of the
bottle is not disfigured. When buying a drink from a street vendor,
it is safer to buy only bottled or canned drinks. Avoid juices with
ice and water from bags. Freezing does not make water safe.
Avoid ice cubes unless you know they have been made from
potable water. Remember to drink plenty of water, as your body
may need more than usual to adjust to the climate. Safe drinking
water will be provided for you at the guesthouse.
Laundry & Linens
Bed linens are provided, but you are required to bring your own
bath towels and washcloth. Volunteers have the option to hand
wash clothing and hang dry laundry during their stay. Our house
keeper will also do laundry for a small fee (approximately $2 or $3
USD).
Guesthouse Kitchen
Volunteers can buy there own groceries from the supermarket
in town, if so desired, and can use the communal kitchen space.
There are also open markets with fresh vegetables and fruit that
can be easily washed and peeled.
Please note, hotel accommodations may be provided if
the number of volunteers on-site exceeds our guesthouse
capacity. If this occurs, our on-site Director will contact you
prior to travel with specific details.
Local Restaurants
There are many wonderfuul restaurant options in Kodai! Staff will
inform you of reputable restaurants during orientation.
There are many places in Kodaikanal which do not have spicy
food, including Tibetan restaurants and hotel restaurants, which
cater to foreigners. We strongly recommend avoiding food from
street stands or vendors at bus stops or train stations.
COMMUNICATION
Internet Access
The guesthouse has wireless internet and you are welcome
to bring a laptop computer if you wish. Please understand,
however, that valuable electronics are brought at your own
risk; FIMRC is not responsible in the case of lost personal
items.
GUESTHOUSE TOUR
Calling Cards
There will be a volunteer cell phone available for you for
the duration of your stay. You will be able to purchase
inexpensive phone cards in India which you can use to stay
in touch with our field staff and transportation providers.
You can also use this phone to call friends or family in
the U.S. If you are traveling with a group, you will share a
cell phone with the other group members. Please do not
purchase a calling card before your departure as many
cannot be used from outside the U.S. Staff will assist you
with calling cards once you have arrived in India.
Want to see your accommodations
first hand? Click below for a
guesthouse tour that is narrated by
our very own Field Operations Director,
Arun Selvaraj!
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TRANSPORTATION
EXCURSIONS
All transportation during your trip will be provided in reliable
vehicles operated by reputable drivers hired by FIMRC. Your
trip costs covers all transportation directly related to your
volunteer mission, including pickup and drop-off from the
airport as well as daily transportation between your housing
quarters and volunteer activities. In Kodaikanal, FIMRC’s
guesthouse is located 3km from the downtown area.
While we highly value all of the great work volunteers do
in the field, we recognize the opportunity to explore areas
in India such as the beautiful countryside, stunning ruins,
temples and Ayurvedic Health Centers of South India. While
the cost associated with such trips are not covered by your
FIMRC program fee, we encourage you to maximize your
opportunities to explore India! Our staff will assist you in
planning activities once on-site. For a quick look at some of
the local excursion options, please see the Excursion Guide
located in on your Pre-departure Information page.
LOCAL LANGUAGE
SAFETY
Hindi is the official language of India. In the Kodaikanal
area, however, the language spoken is Tamil. While English
is sometimes spoken, you will likely encounter many natives
who do not speak English. Please note that fluency in other
languages is not required to participate in our program; any
level of comprehension will be very useful in communicating
with members of the community.
Please know that Kodaikanal is a safe town filled with
friendly, family oriented people and is a traveler’s destination
in India. However, you should use a traveler’s discretion, i.e.
not carrying too much money in your pockets, using a hidden
pocket, and keeping valuables at the house. Upon arrival,
our staff will instruct you on safety precautions specific
to the area in which you will be staying. Common-sense
precautions should be taken. As most crime in Kodaikanal is
theft-based, we recommend that you avoid carrying items of
high monetary value, and that you guard your personal items
carefully when in public. Female volunteers are especially
advised to exercise caution and not travel alone at any time.
For a detailed description on safety issues, please visit: IndiaSpecific information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_
tw/cis/cis_1139.html. You will receive a safety orientation by
a FIMRC staff member upon arrival at Project Kodaikanal.
PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY
Privacy and patient confidentiality are essential to FIMRC’s
mission and continued operations. Information relating to
patients and their treatment is confidential and must not be
distributed or disclosed in any way. It is especially important
for all volunteers to exercise caution when using the Internet
or social media outlets, so as not to communicate any
sensitive or confidential information or images.
SAFETY & STEP
You may register for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive
information from the U.S. Embassy in India. You are encouraged to save the Embassy’s contact information
prior to travel, which can be found on the Embassy’s website.
REGISTER
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STAYING HEALTHY
International volunteer experiences are often a time of reflection and internal change. Because you are often forced to deal
with new and old situations, without their normal surroundings and support networks, it is important for you to monitor your
own emotional and physical well-being.
TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY
Upon arrival in India, you will receive a thorough orientation that will include tips on staying safe and healthy during your
volunteer experience. Below you will find a few tips to begin considering before your trip.
• Stay in good physical condition – eat well, sleep, relax,
avoid lots of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar
• Find a comfortable way to share your feelings. Keeping
your feelings inside will not make them go away. (You
are strongly encouraged to talk to FIMRC staff if you’re
experiencing difficulties.)
•Visitors to Kodaikanal are at risk for gastrointestinal
illnesses. Careful attention to your choice of food and
beverage helps reduce this risk.
• Use the support system of the program (friends, fellow
volunteers, FIMRC staff)
• Stay hydrated! Do not drink large amounts of alcohol or
caffeinated beverages when you suspect yourself to be
dehydrated.
• Maintain a positive mental attitude and sense of humor
• Practice stress-reduction habits (take time alone, write in
your journal, read a book, listen to music, etc.)
• If you take any kind of medicine on a regular basis, you
should take with you a more-than-enough supply to last you
for the duration of your volunteer experience. You should
have this medicine in its own “official” medicine bottle and
pack it in your carry-on luggage. You must inform staff
immediately if something should happen to your medication
(such as losing it) so that all efforts can be made to remedy
the situation.
• Know that anything you are feeling is OK, being in a new
setting can bring issues to the surface; this is normal.
EVACUATION INSURANCE
FIMRC STAFF SUPPORT
FIMRC requires all volunteers to possess emergency medical
evacuation coverage for the duration of the mission trip. If
your current health insurance does not provide this coverage,
we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Please contact
us if you would like assistance in purchasing coverage
through FIMRC’s partner, Worldwide Risk Management.
If you are not feeling well - tell us! FIMRC staff are there to
assist with issues that affect your health, safety, and wellbeing during the course of your volunteer experience. Please
keep FIMRC staff informed of any situations.
MEDICAL CARE
In the event of a medical emergency, you will be taken to
KHMS (Kodaikanal Health and Medical Services) Hospital
located in Kodaikanal, India.
MEDICAL HISTORY
It is imperative that you are as honest as possible in the
medical history section of your volunteer profile. Indicating
past or present illnesses does not automatically disqualify
you from volunteering, rather it ensures we are able to
accommodate any special needs you may have during your
stay.
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FAQs
Below, we’ve prepared a list of common questions that we receive to help you further prepare for your volunteer experience.
After reading the FAQs, if you still have questions, send us an email at [email protected]. We are always happy to help!
What if I miss my flight or am delayed during travel?
Am I required to wear scrubs in the clinic?
Please contact the Field Operations Director, Arun,
immediately. Please have Arun’s contact information
on hand. He can easily be reached via WhatsApp.
Volunteers are not required to wear medical scrubs
in the clinic. Business casual, such as long pants and
button down shirts, are preferred in the clinic setting in
India.
Will I have a toilet and shower?
Can I drink the tap water?
You will! The guesthouse has a western style toilet, but
please be prepared to bucket bathe. A video tour of
the guesthouse can be found on the accommodations
page of this packet.
No. Volunteers should not drink any tap water in India.
We recommend bringing a water bottle to fill up with
purified water that is provided at the guesthouse. Also,
bottled water is inexpensive and easily accessible.
Will there be other volunteers in India at the same
time as me?
Will I have internet access?
Wifi is available in the FIMRC guesthouse. Please note,
power outages are common so the internet may come
and go during these times.
If you are traveling independently, there is a chance
that there will be other volunteers on-site. If you would
like to connect with other volunteers prior to travel,
simply email [email protected]. If there are other
volunteers enrolled for your same dates, we are happy
to place you in touch!
What about the weekend?
Since volunteer activities coincide with the operating
hours of our clinics, Monday through Friday are
spent volunteering and Saturday and Sunday are
spent learning about the local culture or traveling on
excursions. Excursions and associated transport costs
are not included in your program fee; however, Arun
is always happy to help you arrange excursions once
on-site!
Do you have any advice for first time travelers?
The most important thing for you to bring to your
trip to India is a sense of flexibility. It is important to
remember that you are entering a culture not bound
by tight schedules. We hope that you will embrace this
opportunity to immerse yourself in a lifestyle that is
unlike your own and truly experience India.
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STAY INVOLVED
You’ve traveled to Project Kodaikanal and seen our work first hand, now what? Whether your are looking to join a university
chapter, intersted in donating towards on-site projects, or simply want to keep in touch, there are many ways to stay involved
with FIMRC after your volunteer experience. A few of our alumni resources are below.
ALUMNI PROGRAM
ADOPT-A-PROJECT
All returned volunteers are invited to join over 4,000 volunteers
in the FIMRC Alumni Program! In 2015, we began our Alumni
Program to connect past volunteers with one another and with
staff at our project sites in hope that you will continue to promote
our mission in your own community. By joining the Alumni Program,
you will gain access to exclusive updates, travel discounts, and
more! Visit www.fimrc.org/alumni for more information.
Our Adopt-a-Project program is a way for
volunteers to stay connected to our project sites
through fundraising for special on-site initiatives!
Click below to access this year’s current projects
and to see how you can continue to contribute to
the success of Project Kodaikanal!
CHAPTERSHIP PROGRAM
A chapter is made up of individuals committed to serving as
FIMRC’s voice in their region. FIMRC chapters play a number of
vital roles including raising funds for special medical projects,
coordinating volunteer groups to travel to our clinic sites, and
providing service in their own communities. If you want to know
if your university or community has a FIMRC chapter or if you’re
interested in starting one, e-mail [email protected].
VIEW PROJECTS
CONNECT WITH US!
www.facebook.com/officialfimrcpage
username: fimrc
www.instagram.com/fimrc
Exclusive India Alumni Facebook
www.vimeo.com/fimrc
www.twitter.com/fimrc
www.facebook.com/fimrcindia
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Have a
wonderful trip!
Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children
www.fimrc.org
1518 Walnut Street
Suite 1504
Philadelphia, PA 19102
888.211.8575 ext. 1