Frequently Asked Questions
Mission and Values
General Questions
Skills and Training
Finances
Applying
Other questions?
Please contact us at 717-730-6706 or toll free at 866-730-2873 or email us at volunteer@cureintetnational.org
Mission and Values
What is CURE's Mission Statement?
CURE International transforms the lives of disabled children and their families in the developing world through medical and spiritual healing, serving all by establishing specialty teaching hospitals, building partnerships and advocating for these children.
What are the values of the Global Outreach Office?
Our National Staff
Enjoy expanding your worldview through the eyes of our in-country staff. Make it a priority to learn from everyone working in the hospital setting and throughout our community relationships. At the same time, respect their time and responsibilities at the hospital.
Faith
Since CURE International is a Christian organization we ask that all short term volunteers conduct themselves in a manner that respects that faith-base. Volunteers don't need to share that perspective but do need to respect it. We ask that you be open to sharing your faith or perspective on religion during the application process so our on-field staff can have some insight to your views and receive you accordingly.
Funding
It is our desire to have all short term volunteers pay their own way or raise the money (from friends, family, church...) necessary for their trip. That way absolutely none of the monies contributed to assist disabled children will go to fund travel or accommodations for short term help.
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General Questions
What mistakes do short-term volunteers make?
Top Ten Mistakes (116kb PDF)
Can anyone participate on a short-term trip?
CURE International welcomes anyone who is willing to serve our patients, their families and our staff. To ensure a good fit between the volunteer and the CURE host location, individual attention is given to each interested person or family.
What types of trip opportunities are there?
A. Medical/Dental Teams
These are specialized teams that require members to have specific skills and proper licensing in order to participate. In many instances these trips take at least six months of pre-trip planning. Opportunities include but are not limited to the following specialists/personnel on either surgical teams or mobile clinic teams: orthopedic, maxillofacial, plastic surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, MDs, RNs, LPNs, PAs, pharmacists, hygienists, psychologists, and dentists.
B. Training Personnel (3.5Mb PDF)
Individuals with the ability and experience to train local people in various medical or spiritual/emotional care for patients and their families (medical: nursing or physical therapy).
C. General Outreach Teams
With 12 or more people interested in a trip, families, schools or churches may apply for an amazing and humbling group adventure that includes caring for children in the hospital or a trip to area villages for: * mobile medical and/or faith-sharing clinics * school presentations (dental hygiene, "vacation Bible school", ESL) * sports outreach
D. CURE GO (Global Outreach) Teams
10 or more individuals from various backgrounds and locations apply to serve with CURE and choose from a variety of destinations and dates. This type of trip requires participants to be at least 18 years of age (or traveling with a responsible adult family member) and be ready to participate in a variety of responsibilities. This is our "sampler" trip where they will be exposed to all areas of the hospital.
NOTE: Each of these options will include a fun-filled recreation day to experience the unique culture and beauty of the country you visit. (Recreation day costs are at the volunteer's expense.)
Will I travel on my own or with a team?
Requests from the field for an individual with specific skills may result in an individual trip. If you do not apply with a team you will become a member of a CURE GO Team.
If I'm on a CURE GO Team, how do I get to know the other team members?
After all the team members have been selected, you will receive the names and contact information of everyone on your team. We highly encourage you to begin a dialogue with the other team members prior to departure.
Are there age restrictions?
There are no minimum age requirements; however, children not yet attending 5th grade must travel with a responsible adult family member on team trips.
How long are CURE International trips?
Our trips are typically 8-14 days.
Can I participate on a trip that is longer than 14 days?
With few exceptions the answer is no. One exception would be if a person with medical skills is participating in a training program.
What is a "typical" day like when on a trip?
For medical team participants and training personnel, you will work under the authority Medical Department either in a CURE hospital or in a rural mobile clinic environment.
For General Outreach Teams and CURE GO Teams: you will work under the authority of the Spiritual Department. The U.S. CURE staff will work with you to make sure your trip expectations complement CURE's objectives to meet the needs of people in the host country. A "typical day" is hard to define but there are many ways for you to embrace the culture and the people by working alongside locals/nationals on hands-on projects. You will most likely work long hours (the schedule can be modified for Senior Citizens or younger children) and sleep very well at night. Depending on your skills you may serve with our staff in patient care, office work, facility improvement or in the surrounding villages in an outreach program.
Is there a behavior or dress code?
Specifics differ within various countries, but generally it is required that team members abstain from alcohol and tobacco use, and the typical dress code is business casual. During trip orientation you will receive more specifics (in some countries sleeveless shirts, shorts or skirts with a slit are considered offensive).
Does CURE International offer Continuing Education Credits for medical and dental professionals?
Even though this is learning experience we have no formal lectures for trip participants.
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Skills and Training
What skills do I need?
Depending on the type of team (medical or GO) you will be traveling with, the skills required will differ. If you are on a medical team or assisting at a CURE hospital, it is important to have the capacity to teach. GO Team members need the willingness to share their personal talents. Everyone needs to have an attitude that is flexible.
What training/orientation will I receive?
You will be sent a series of documents and information via email and mail. This will include our pre-trip orientation packet containing cultural helps and trip expectations. After arrival in the country CURE staff will guide you through understanding your surroundings. Throughout the process, trip members are welcome to contact the Global Outreach staff with questions.
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Finances
How do I take care of my finances?
It is suggested that participants pay their own application fee (this is your contribution for your trip) and the remainder can be raised by sending out support letters, speaking to friends, family, or church members, etc. The cost of your trip includes food, lodging, in-country transportation and a project fee. CURE International will provide a tax-deductible receipt for checks made payable to "CURE International" only.
How are donations received and what about checks or credit card donations?
Your supporters can donate funds for your trip two ways:
1. Use a credit card
Donate online
Call CURE International toll free 866-730-2873
2. Mail checks made out to CURE International and send to:
CURE International, 701 Bosler Avenue, Lemoyne, PA 17043
Be sure your supporters include a note with their donation. We need to know who it is for and where you will be traveling.
Do you have suggestions on how to fundraise?
Check out our fundraising brochure (632kb PDF).
Can I be reimbursed for my plane ticket?
No, if you purchase the ticket on your own and not through one of our recommended travel agents CURE International cannot reimburse you for the ticket even if you have extra money in your account. However, if you choose to use one of our recommended travel agents, CURE will purchase your ticket and you will send a check to CURE for the ticket amount.
Can I be reimbursed for other fees, such as shots and immunizations, passport, visa fees?
No, this is a personal expense paid by you.
If I cancel my trip will I receive a refund?
Because CURE International is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, donations to CURE are generally tax deductible as long as CURE International has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. Because CURE International maintains the required discretion and control, donations to it cannot be refunded. If you do not raise an amount sufficient to cover your trip costs you can recommend that those funds be used for expenses on a future trip taken during the following 12 months. If the trip is full before such funding has been raised you can recommend that those funds be used for other team expenses that may be incurred while in country or expenses on a future trip taken during the following 12 months. If you need to cancel your trip refunds are not made, but can either be transferred to another team member or help for a future trip within 12 months.
Is there anything else I need to know?
There are many steps to making a trip successful. Once you are accepted we will walk you through these steps. Until then, these few tips will help get you started.
Valid Passports are required. Passports must be valid for up to six months after your desired return date. travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Immunization and shots are recommended and you should allow 6-8 weeks before your trip to allow maximum shot effectiveness. www.cdc.gov
Register your trip with the US Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
To learn more about the country you will be traveling to visit:
CIA World Fact book - www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Lonely Planet - www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
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Applying
What do I need to do first?
First, complete the trip application and choose from the trips listed. Your application will be reviewed and within 10 business days of receiving the application a Global Outreach staff member will contact you.
If accepted for trip participation, how much time will the whole process take?
At least 3 months from the time you apply until the time you depart on your trip.
Do I need to re-apply if I travel with CURE more than once?
Yes, but only our renewal application is required.
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