2025 Medical Mission

Thank you for applying to serve on our medical project. PLEASE READ this entire document to familiarize yourself with trip procedures. To receive the complete orientation packet via PDF, please include your email. You'll need a Gmail Account to proceed with the application and the visa application. Please complete the whole form by typing your information into the blank fields. Once complete, click on the SUBMIT button and follow the prompts.

PLEASE NOTE: Every volunteer is responsible for transportation to the project site. IMO will provide accommodations and feeding for the duration of the project.

Project Date: October 23rd-November 9th, 2025.
Project Site Address: Jos, Nigeria.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

1. Apply to the project using this application. The IMO team leader of this medical mission will decide who will ultimately be able to join the team based on the needs of the team and each participant’s qualifications.

2. Check the expiration date on your passport NOW. No visa will be approved if your passport expires in the next six(6) months. If you don’t already have an international Passport, get your application in immediately. Go to any Post Office, and they will tell you the procedure.

3. Visa requirements: Some countries require a tourist or visitors Visa to enter the country. Nigeria needs a visa to enter the country. IMO will assist you with that procedure four months before departure. You will NOT do that on your own. Your team leader will help you navigate this tedious process.

4. If you cannot afford the trip's cost, start applying now for assistance to your Church’s outreach or missions committee and/or write letters describing the trip and asking friends, relatives, and your employer for support. Get creative with fundraising.

5. Once accepted to the team, start getting your immunizations/shots as the World Health Organization requires. Ask your healthcare provider for direction regarding the immunizations and your health. More details about immunizations are in PDF format that will be emailed to you.

6. Emergency travel insurance, flight insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, and other coverage are at your discretion. You may obtain any of these insurances at your own expense.

WHAT TO PLAN ON PACKING FOR THE TRIP

1. In place of luggage, you will carry up to two 50 lb mission packs filled with supplies and medicine for hospital use. You can also bring one carry-on per airline regulations for your personal items.

2. Pack appropriate clothing for the weather. You should pack one set of clothes for trips to “the bush” (rural areas with bad roads, lots of dust, and uneven walking surfaces). We suggest a lightweight, long sleeve shirt, long pants, hiking shoes, a hat or cap. The maximum body coverage serves two purposes (protection from sunburn and insects). Even though it will be HOT, we do not recommend wearing “flip-flops” or open
sandals in the bush (to avoid insects and manure-borne critters on the ground).

3. When in the city, we will attend various events in Churches and people’s homes. You should have a set of clean business casual dress-type clothes for these events. When you are invited for dinner at a person’s home, they will put out the best food and dress up to honor your presence. We show our hosts courtesy through respectful dress. Men: dress shirt, long pants, shoes or sandals. Women: clothing that covers the legs, upper arms, and chest.

4. Meds: Missions often occur in scorching, dry, and dusty environments. If you have dry skin or dry eyes, bring extra skin lotion, eye drops, lip balm/gloss, and whatever else you use. Also, remember to bring strong bug repellent. Also, remember to bring along anti-diarrhea medicine. At least one person usually needs this, and you will be very sorry if you need it and don’t have it. Don’t forget to bring and take your malaria prophylaxis pills beginning one week before we leave. If you have sensitive skin and need a special soap or shampoo, please bring it. There are drug stores in the country, but the range of choices is nothing like what we are used to. If you have any respiratory problems (asthma or other), please bring your inhalers and all necessary medications in your carry-on luggage.

5. Anti-bacterial hand soap and sanitizer: You should carry a bottle of this with you. You will be shaking hands and otherwise interacting with people in a very different germ environment from the one your body has adapted to, so you want to keep those new germs off your hands and out of your digestive system.

6. Cameras and video recorders: As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, especially when sharing trip memories with others when you return home. Please observe cultural norms when taking pictures. Check with your trip leader before taking photographs of any area where patients are being seen or undergoing a procedure. Do NOT post any patient pictures to FaceBook or the internet.

7. Money: We advise leaving all unnecessary credit cards at home. You will want to take one card with you if you need to stay at a hotel. Bring only newer $50 & $100 bills to exchange into local currency. There will be a chance to buy gift items in the country. Do not exchange money at the airport. All money exchange will be done through the IMO staff in Nigeria.

8. Granola bars: We will be very well-fed in our host country. However, if you have trouble with spicy or exotic food, you should pack some granola bars, beef jerky, peanut butter, crackers, or tuna fish packs.

NON-MEDICAL STAFF ROLE

During the mission, medical professionals will assist with medical functions under the direction of the International Mission Opportunities (IMO) leaders. Non-medical volunteers will be helping with record-keeping, logistics, welcome, prayer, and other duties. The role of the non-medical volunteer is to manage patients and non-medical patient-related tasks as efficiently as possible so that the medical volunteers can focus their time and energy on providing quality care to the patients.

Our actions and behavior will profoundly impact people more than what we say to them. Be mindful of your behavior and model it upon that of Christ.
We do not want to be a stumbling block to others, nor do we wish to give offense and defeat our purpose by acting in a way that makes us look small or hypocritical.
We have a responsibility to lead by example to act as ambassadors.

We ask that you abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, from attending clubs and bars, and from any immoral behavior.
All participants in IMO short-term mission projects are expected to
uphold these standards of conduct.
The Team Leader is authorized to dismiss anyone who violates these standards of conduct and behavior immediately.

Once you've been accepted, you will be notified by email, and you'll be expected to attend a MANDATORY ORIENTATION of policies and procedures. PLEASE NOTE: No volunteer is paid to serve in IMO Mission projects.

You must email a copy of your data page in your passport to IMO. If you are not a US citizen, you must obtain the necessary documentation to travel with the team from your country.

REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must provide the following.
• $100 Non–refundable registration fee and a signed Indemnification and Hold Harmless form.
• Copy of the data page of your passport (with at least one (2) additional passports photograph). Note: Passport needs to be valid 6-months out from the project date.

I understand that as an International Mission Opportunities (IMO) participant, I am expected to travel internationally with the IMO team from a designated airport to the location. By submitting this form, I consent that I am responsible for payment (in advance) of any travel arrangements (including visas) made on my behalf by IMO Missions and their travel agent.

I also understand that I am responsible for the flight arrangements, including costs to the city/airport of departure from my home.