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Program Overview:
Our PFC intern program is an outreach of our medical clinic ( Clinica la Esperanza) that allows for people with
medical training such as EMT's. PA's, Doctors, etc. to have the opportunity to work hands on in a third world environment
area such as Honduras, while also having the opportunity to enjoy all the sites and tourist attractions that Honduras
has to offer.
Upon acceptance the applicant, or applicants will work daily at our medical clinic in one of two shifts from 7
AM until 12 PM and 12 PM until 3 PM M-F. We are set up to take only two health care workers at a time. In the event
that only one health care worker is on site then they could opt to take both shifts. Each mission runs one week.
Longer mission tours can be arranged. Upon completion of your mission unit PFC will issue a confirmation letter
to whom it may concern that the applicant has successfully attended a PFC humanitarian mission at your request.
This letter is sometimes required for CE credit hours where the applicants may work. Mostly we usually host only
one to two people at a time. The lifestyle is casual, and you become part of the staff here eating with us and
living at the Hacienda.
Costs:
Not only is the program for the benefit of the applicant it also helps us to raise the funds needed to keep our
clinic operational. Under the PFC intern program all applicants must pay your own transportation to Honduras and
are required to stay with us at our headquarters in Copan Ruinas on site. Our headquarters is located behind the
medical clinic and is called Hacienda La Esperanza.
The Hacienda where you will be living is very lovely and offers 4 fully appointed rooms. It is well known as the
most popular Bed and Breakfast in Copan and the costs are that of a normal hotel room. The Hacienda is the home
of the project founders who give 100% of all the rental revenues to PFC to help pay for our programs. The project
has a web site at www.haciendalaesperanza.org and many reviews can be read about the accommodations and volunteers
at www.tripadvisor.com. Type in "Bed and Breakfasts in Copan Ruinas" and you will be able to see the
property.
Daily room rates are $75 per day for a single and $85 per day for a double plus a 16% Honduran VAT tax. These rates
include breakfast and sometimes lunch (depending on the time of year) The only other fee is a flat activity fee
of $10 per day for each working day in our clinic. The clinic is open Monday through Friday. All other meals and
entertainment is at the expense of the applicant. In essence the cost for a single person to participate would
run around $688 per week USD for room, breakfast, taxes, and activity fee per week, not including transportation
from the applicants home country to our facility in Honduras.
Hacienda la Esperanza offers four star accommodations and is used to fund our medical clinic for the poor, and
is located on the grounds directly behind the medical clinic
Note: check to see if your employer will allow you CE credits towards your education.
Applications are taken on a first come first serve basis. All fees must be paid prior to your arrival in order
for us to officially schedule you in our intern rotation at the clinic.
The spirit of the program:
The sole purpose of the Paramedics For Children medical intern program is to provide an opportunity to various
types of medical professions to work alongside our staff as they go about the daily operation of a medical clinic
that offers quality medical attention to some of the poorest people in Central America. Mainly our patients are
the Mayan Chorti Indians who are the direct descendants of the Mayans who’s civilization dominated Mexico and Central
America for thousands of years. Copan Ruinas, where we have or clinic is an international tourist attraction because
of the famous Mayan ruins that are located less than 800 yards from our front gate. Here besides working in the
clinic there are many activities to do and experience while you are visiting Copan. This of course is an added
bonus for our volunteers.
Other ways you can help:
We also ask that all volunteer medical professionals to bring as much donated medical supplies as possible. (If
you would like to bring some medical supplies, we can provide a list of items that are needed).
This is not a requirement it is just a request among our supporters who may have access to medical supplies that
their employers may wish to give to third world care providers to help others less fortunate. We are always happy
to provide any cover letters needed to help our volunteers procure items for the clinic.
Other programs:
At PFC we have many other programs that we offer for volunteers to participate in. Many of these programs such
as operation free light, CHIPS, and school supply do not require special medical skills. If you are interested
please feel free to contact us about these programs as well.
Volunteer intern requirements:
All applicants must provide written proof of their medical credentials before coming to Honduras. Also, if you
are not a physician we will require that you provide proof from your employer that you are actively working in
your field of expertise. In addition to this we would like a brief resume of your medical experience.
For more informaiton email us at rodgeratpfc@aol.com
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