We recognize the sacrifice that medical professionals make to disengage from their employment and family responsibilities to plan, prepare and travel at their own expense to help the disadvantaged that do not have access to the excellent medical care available in America. We at Agape In Action pledge to make your visit with us to be as comfortable and rewarding as possible within the framework of the local culture.
A medical team is made up of volunteer doctors, specialists, nurses and non-medical team members that all work together to provide quality care. Usually the core members of a team are from a specific hospital or area, but often are short on a particular position and are glad to be joined by qualified individuals.
All surgeries are performed in cooperation with Guatemalan medical professionals. This ensures that the patient will have the necessary post operative care after the team leaves.
Patients are diagnosed and often wait months for the arrival of the missions team. Many travel from remote villages and endure a long and arduous journey to the Santa Cruz del Quiché government hospital. Many arrive with very little, some have never been outside of their village before.
Visiting medical teams screen the assembled patients and operate at the state hospital. Our dorm facility is on the hospital grounds and this proximity is a great convenience, with hot showers and modern bathrooms. The teams take time to visit the open air market in Chichicastenango for shopping, and also usually spend a day in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua.
It is a four hour drive from Guatemala City to our dorm facility. Transportation is usually arranged with Adventure Travel, a travel agency which is located in Antigua (and speak English).
Agape in Action's medical services are available to all in need, regardless of faith or any other affiliation. Similarly, the program, while a Christian mission, accepts volunteers of all faiths.
