There are many ways to help. You can collect products for donation, organize an event, or attending some of the events that are supporting STIMMA. For a complete list of upcoming events please see upcoming events section on the home page.

Yes!

We are opting out of this program; it will soon be removed from our website.

Yes, if you would like a STIMMA member to speak, email us using our contact form and we will try to find a speaker to fit your dates.

Yes you can! There is a list on our website of what we usually look for and if there is something specific you would like to donate you can contact us via email and we can talk about the donation and how it can best be used.

STIMMA looks after booking your flights, but you do need to get your own travel insurance.

Yes, depending on the location, you will need vaccines. You are responsible for ensuring you are properly covered.

No, arrangements are made for volunteers to have local translators available.

Yes, we do take food donations as long as they are lightweight and easy to pack.

You can contact STIMMA by using the contact form on our site. Linsay Buss or Veneta Anand, the directors are the main contacts.

You can make a donation online, by clicking the donation tab on our home page. It will direct you to Paypal.

Please see our contact page to download sponsorship forms.

Originated by joint vision of directors, Linsay and Veneta, to create an organization that helps with no boundaries (religious or political). Their primary focus was medical but they have embraced social programs so we can not only heal an individual but also heal the community as a whole.

There is an application that can be downloaded online – the form needs to be filled out and emailed to the above email addresses. Email or mail is preferred, but faxed applications are accepted. Once the application is received, it will be reviewed prior to a trip. Either Linsay or Veneta will contact the applicant and set up either a Skype or in person interview. All volunteers over 18 years are welcome to apply.

There is a lot of research that goes into each trip. We look at information such as how many people in surrounding communities, access to a clinic/hospital, mortality and morbidity rates. Safety of trip participants is important so we make sure that there is no political tension or unrest. Environmental factors are also considered.

The amount of people STIMMA helps varies year to year – but we usually travel twice a year and the number of people seen per trip is 1,500 – 2,000. This depends on how many medical doctors and other medical staff we have. We also do community projects such as building homes, social initiative programs and community gardens, making the number of people reached to be between 4,500 and 5,000.

You do not need to be a doctor or nurse to participate. Patient registration, crowd control, clinic runner, translator, facilitating education seminars (tools provided) or playing with the community children are all important jobs that contribute to the success of a clinic.

You can send us an email with your suggestion using our contact form.

$0.94 of each dollar donated goes directly into helping third world countries. STIMMA makes no profit. The other costs associated that go indirectly to the people, include photocopies for information sheets to hand out to patients, making posters and other visual aids, the cost of stamps to mail donation receipts, and baggage charges associated with the airlines.

Each of our trips is a 2 week commitment.

No, after applying you will be notified of upcoming opportunities.

On-site training is provided and we give an orientation prior to and on the first day of the trip.

If a trip falls within a time when you are able to get away for 2 weeks you can apply. Given your educational background you will work primarily with the respective practitioner. If a trip does not work with your schedule you can hold fundraisers etc. to draw awareness to the group and contribute towards a project.

Donation packages are pre-made health care packages each with a cost associated with them. These convenient packages are a way for people to contribute when they don’t know what to get or how to help.

It is hard to say what the future holds for STIMMA projects. You never know what is going to happen in the world. Right now, efforts are focused on Haiti, trying to help rebuild an unstable country and give it a firm foundation. Each community is given a 3 year commitment to ensure the sustainability of the project.

STIMMA’s largest impact has been that made on patients, in particular disease state management, rebuilding a community after flooding in El Salvador, and building homes in Haiti.

We donate excess supplies that are collected to local charities that can use them. STIMMA has been blessed by the overwhelming generosity of the local community and likes to share when they can. In other countries STIMMA likes to work wherever there is a need and they are capable of helping.

While on the trip you will work full days, evenings are free, but we are responsible for your safety so you have to stay on site. Weekends also free and we usually plan an activity for the team to enjoy, relax, unwind and distress.

None! – STIMMA will find work for everyone and anyone!!

The cost of each trip varies – there may be logistical considerations (ie boats for mobile clinics, issues with ground transportation, etc) that will greatly affect the cost of the trip. An information brochure will be sent out regarding a specific trip once the details have been finalized that will inform you of the costs surrounding the trip.

You can attach your STIMMA volunteer application to our contact us form (.pdf or .docx) and we will get back to you within a few days.

All participants pay their own way to the clinic site. Additional funds for supplies are donated by communities. Additional costs incurred are paid by monies raised at fundraising events.

STIMMA is based primarily in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

You are not paying to volunteer; the costs associated with volunteering are to cover your costs of travel, food, and accommodation.