Rotavirus, giardiasis, ascariasis, and other infectious diseases are common, much of which can be prevented through your team’s focus on preventing disease with education.  

International Medical Relief will return to treat the indigenous Rama Indian Tribe on a beautiful and remote island chain that rarely receives medical care other than when the IMR team arrives. You will travel by boat from Bluefields, Nicaragua to Rama Island - also known as Rama Cay.  You will stay on Rama Island during your trip but each day will bring a new adventure, sometimes on Rama Island and other days traveling even further by boat to smaller islands with great need for health care.  This is a very unique opportunity to work with an indigenous tribe and make a huge impact on the lives of many.

The team will be welcomed for a rare opportunity to work with the ancient Rama people and be a part of their tribal day-to-day life. Enjoy the culture of this blue jungle lagoon, once a famous hiding spot for pirates. The beautiful indigenous people are warm and friendly. Typically shy, they spend their time growing bananas, white cacao, hunting and fishing.

Extend your stay for a boat trip to the famous Cays and lagoons or world class fishing trip.

IMR’s focus on health education and acute medical and dental care will serve your patients well: you will see many patients for wound care, respiratory infections, and fungal infections. Rotavirus, giardiasis, ascariasis, and other infectious diseases are common, much of which can be prevented through your team’s focus on preventing disease with education.  You will also see the encroachment of society upon this tribe and will learn about their fight to keep commercialization and industrialization out of one of the most beautiful rainforests in the world.    

The first night the team will sleep on the largest island in the quaint Inn. For the remainder of the trip, team will be hosted on Rama Island  in a local home with new mattresses provided.  These mattresses are donated annually to the Rama families who are in the most precarious situations and where food is more important than comfort.

The Rama Indians are in a fight for their lives. Known as the “Guardians of the Forest”, they fiercely protect the surrounding rainforest from harm.  Many of the Rama who come to clinic will travel in a traditional dugout canoe, hand-carved from a single log.  Whole families will walk or ride horses to clinic - after all, they have been waiting a year to see the IMR team return!   If you watch closely, you may see a small wooden canoes tied up to a larger barge for a tow against the current; look closer and you may see a sloth or two observing you from the trees.  The highlight of this trip is caring for the Rama.  The children will delight you and will be delighted by you as you are welcomed by the community into their lives.  

You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Nicaragua’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!

  • Big Corn Island, a lush, rustic and still mostly unsettled paradise
  • The endless beaches and neighborhood trails lined with fresh fruit trees on Little Corn Island
  • A charming bungalow stay on the virgin shorelines of the Corn Islands