International Development Missions, Inc. is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization created with the idea of providing assistance to people in need. Our mission is to enhance the health and quality of life of communities in developing countries through partnership with local residents and organizations in developing sustainable projects addressing health care, disease prevention, education, and clean water. We do this by promoting self sufficiency through provision of expertise, financial support and material resources.

To date, the primary focus of IDM has been directed to communities in Kenya, with a principal focus in the Mua Hills area. IDM believes in sustainable, long-term projects with partner communities, with whom we can develop strong relationships.

IDM has constructed and is assisting with financial support of the Mua Hills Clinic. The clinic serves more than 15,000 local people who previously had to travel more than 7 miles by foot and 25 miles by public transportation, to receive any type of medical assistance. The clinic (both land and buildings) is owned, and operated, by Kenyans, for Kenyans. Currently a nurse, a lab technician, and an aide staff the clinic. Oversight of the clinic is provided by the Local Church Council of Kyasilla. Although still partially supported by IDM, the Mua Hills Clinic is on its way to becoming self supported.

Currently IDM is working towards the construction and development of a learning center, which will in close proximity to the Mua Hills Clinic. This learning center will bring books, and computers to the community and can serve as a place were meetings, classes and workshops can take place.

Plans for future projects in the Mua Hills area include a plan to provide water to the community.

The Mua Hills are located approximately 70 miles east of Nairobi, Kenya near Machakos Town at an elevation of c.6,700 feet. The Mua Hills community consists of small, subsistence-level farms on semi-fertile, rugged land. The village, named Kyasilla, has five churches, five schools, and a small market.

The Mua Hills clinic provides basic medical services, including care for simple cuts, bruises, and basic family services including primary examinations, vaccinations and family planning. A pharmacy is located on site and medications such as antibiotics and anti malarial can be provided. Equipment and skilled personnel are available to provide for simple lab tests.

The vast majority of donations go directly to active projects. Currently those projects are in Mua Hills, Kenya. Moneys are currently being used to financially supplement the Mua Hills Clinic, to begin construction of the Learning Center. IDM board members and others working with IDM cover all of their own travel expenses to Kenya and because there is no office space there are no overhead costs.

While ownership and operations of these projects are done in Kenya, by Kenyans, IDM assumes fiscal responsibility on behalf of the donors. Oversight is provided by IDM board members, including review and approval of financial plans. IDM board members visit the communities regularly to verify the progress of current projects, inspect financial ledgers and insure proper accounting.

There are many ways in which you can participate in IDM projects:

The 2009 trip to Kenya will be focused on organizing a group of medical professionals (nurses, doctors, dentists, etc.) who will work as a team to offer health services to populations in and around the Mua Hills area. Although the IDM clinic services population in the Mua Hills area, there are many other rural areas surrounding Mua that do not have ready access to heath care. A common occurrence is for a person to have to walk many miles to a rural clinic. The Medical Mission Trip will take the medical team to the people and offer services in locations that can be more easily accessible.

IDM recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in travel medicine to advise you what vaccinations and medications you will need. To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria. In general, recommendations can include:

More information can be found on the Center for Disease Control website at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel. St. Mary's Health and Wellness is a local resource for information and vaccinations. They can be contacted at (775)770-7100.

Talk with your doctor about medical advice and any person recommendations. You may want to bring over-the-counter medications in the case of diarrhea, upset stomach, or motion sickness. Bug and mosquito repellent as well as anti-itch cream is recommended as well as any other personal medication you might need. Your doctor can also give you a prescription for antibiotics and other medications for you to take on an 'as needed' basis.

The Mua Hills are located approximately 90 miles east of Nairobi, Kenya near Machakos Town at an elevation of c.6,500 feet. The Mua Hills community consists of small, subsistence-level farms on semi-fertile, rugged land. The executive director of IDM has property in Mua Hills that includes a house and a guesthouse. This property can accommodate up to 16 people comfortably. The buildings have doors that can lock and indoor bathroom facilities. While shower facilities are available at the house, there is a limited water supply which is available from a rain water collection system. With group members sharing the limited water it will be extremely important to conserve as much as possible (i.e. you will not get to shower every day!). It should be noted that most bathroom facilities in the field are pit latrines.

Bottled water is always recommended and safe bottled water can be easily purchased in Kenya. Other bottled and packaged items like soda and juice drinks are generally safe for drinking. We recommend that you drink directly from these bottled containers and not empty drinks to glasses offered to you. In general, the IDM group eats foods that we prepare ourselves and shares chores such as preparing meals and washing dishes. Common foods include greens, rice, beans, cabbage, and foods made from corn flour and corn meal. If the team will be away during lunch we often prepare standard peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take with us. In the Mua Hills area eating fish is not common, and animal protein sources including beef and goat, are eaten occasionally. It is recommend that you bring snack foods that you can easily travel with when meals are delayed. Foods such as protein or granola bars, beef jerky, and trail mix without chocolate make good, easy to carry snacks. If you have food allergies or other food needs please let IDM know.

Expect to spend approximately $3,000. The biggest expense of the trip is the airfare, which is around $2,000. While there is no cost to volunteer, individuals are expected to help with costs such as purchasing food and gas. Each volunteer will be asked for an initial contribution of $100 (we will collect this money in Kenya) to purchase shared items (food/gas). If this initial pool of money is depleted we will collect money as needed in $50 or $100 increments. You may want to plan to bring addition money for souvenirs and crafts. During each trip to Kenya an outing is arranged so that volunteers can see other areas of the country. Often this outing is a trip to the game park - a safari! If you choose to participate in this trip the cost is around $300-$400 which includes travel on a chartered safari bus, most food, and lodging for 2-3 nights.

IDM will be recommending specific travel dates so that trips between the airport (in Nairobi) and Mua Hills are minimized. IDM will not arrange travel for you, but we can help coordinate travelers so that you do not have to travel alone. We can also recommend a travel agent if you don't already have one. IDM highly recommends purchasing travel insurance, which covers everything from lost baggage to emergency evacuation. This insurance can usually be purchased through your travel agent and is affordable.

Phone calls to the U.S. can be expensive if using a cell phone or landline in Kenya. Using a personal cell phone is possible, but you should talk with your provider prior to departing to determine if you will have service and what charges will apply. There may not be regular access to electricity for charging phones and other electric equipment. While in Nairobi and Machakos there is access to Internet cafes and phone cafes that are reasonably priced (internet is more affordable than phone). Friends and family members should be aware that we may not have regular access to phone or internet. Prior to departing we will provide you with a phone number where the group can be reached in case of emergency.

While some areas of Kenya are quite warm, because of its higher elevation, Mua Hills is temperate during the day and can be cool at night. A sweater and/or light jacket or windbreaker will be needed for morning and evening times. Casual dress is appropriate, with nicer dress (skirts for women, collared shirts for men) for church and other special outings. Although most Kenyans do not wear shorts in public, nor women wear pants, as foreigners we will be excused of these social norms. Clothes that don't wrinkle and dry quickly after washing (clothes are line dried) are recommended, as well as sturdy shoes. A more detailed list of what to bring will be provided prior to departure.

Bringing gifts and donations is optional. Check with the airlines prior to leaving, as many now have tighter restrictions on weight limits and how many bags are allowed. Consider not bringing large or expensive items, as there may be questions when going through customs. Medical supplies for the traveling clinic such as band-aids, sutures, gauze, etc are small and light. Kids will appreciate games and toys. A favorite is soccer balls, which are sturdy, can be deflated for travel and can be played with by many children (don't forget to bring a pump). Clothes for children and adults are always needed. An easy way to take clothes is to bring clothes from your closet that you no longer need, wear them while you're there, and leave them behind.

Kenyan people are friendly and giving, and may also ask for money. Because foreigners are seen as being "rich" you may be approached with very sympathetic requests for money. While IDM does not forbid giving cash donations to individuals, we recommend that if you'd like to financially support the community you do so through supporting the clinic or learning center. This ensures that the benefit is community wide and also allows you explain why you are not giving individuals money.