A Busy Time and A Time of Reflection

April 16, 2026

Three groups of volunteers spent time in the villages of Pranza, Uhi and Auka joining MEDICO’s annual visits to these often-overlooked locations. La Moskitia is among the most remote and difficult places to reach in Honduras. Dense rainforests, twisting rivers, and scarce infrastructure all contribute to limited access to healthcare for people living there. Medical teams rarely travel to this area, highlighting the crucial role played by our volunteers. Read the stories below as volunteers reflect on their time of service.

PRANZA

MEDICO returned to the village of Pranza for a 4-day medical, dental, and vision clinic. The team included several veteran volunteers, 3 local Honduran nurses, and 2 MDs who joined MEDICO for the first time. Despite having to contend with lost luggage and the challenge of complicated flight schedules into and out of Puerto Lempira, the team led another successful volunteer trip. Eye doctor Lynn Purcell received the 2026 honorary mention of Best Attitude of a Volunteer by making it without any of his checked luggage for the duration of the trip! The largest number of medical complaints by far were respiratory in nature. This seems to be a pattern in Pranza in that respiratory illnesses increase in the rainy season whereas GI complaints dominate in the dry season.

While most patients were treated during normal clinic hours, the team remained on duty late into the evenings to address urgent medical needs. Cases included an elderly patient dealing with severe dehydration, a snakebite victim (see below), and a young woman who had suffered an ankle injury and was carried into the clinic after dark. These cases highlight the dedication of MEDICO volunteers.

The team and community were excited to hear after a complex journey back to Puerto Lempira during the night, the young man who experienced the snakebite survived and appeared to be recovering during the following days. This incident underscores the importance of having a well-established patient intake and follow-up protocol with the hospital in Puerto Lempira. It provides an opportunity to continue improving outcomes and tracking of patients in this remote part of Honduras.

Pranza continues to be a welcoming community for MEDICO and having returned to the site several years in a row, it has been nice to reconnect with many people of the community.

DREW (Team Volunteer)

During dinner, the team’s attention was called to a teenage boy who had been bitten by a snake while walking through the village that evening. Fortunately, a family member had been able to dispatch the snake and bring it with the patient to help with identification. Unfortunately, no one on our team was a herpetologist, however, according to the locals, the snake was most likely venomous and others in the area have died from similar snake bites. The team quickly assessed the boy — his primary concern was significant ankle pain with some swelling at the site of the bite.

MEDICO does not normally carry antivenom (the only effective treatment for venomous bites – it is terribly expensive and requires refrigeration). However, MEDICO knew that the hospital in Puerto Lempira carried it. Time is of the essence with venomous bites, and we were at least 4.5hrs away from the hospital. A villager happened to have a truck in town that evening and was willing to drive the young man and a family member to Puerto Lempira. Gas was the limiting factor. MEDICO provided some gas to the driver that was allocated for our generators and provided money for the patient and his family while they were in Puerto Lempira for food, lodging, etc. By the time the young man was driven to the hospital, the swelling from his ankle had spread to his lower leg. He and his family were on our minds when we finally went to bed that night. The following morning, we received an update that the patient had indeed arrived at the hospital in Puerto Lempira, was admitted and received antivenom. We were so thankful we could assist in getting this young man the treatment that was most likely lifesaving and hopefully limb saving as well.

SARA (Registered Nurse)

Pranza Team Stats

Medical – 255

Dental – 107

Total patients – 362

UHI

I want to express my deepest and most personal gratitude for the incredible work MEDICO volunteers have done in my country, especially in La Moskitia. I am fully aware of the great sacrifice you made, leaving your families and jobs behind to give your heart to this volunteer work and help those most in need.

Every experience shared and every effort made has already become a great story to tell. The adventure we experienced together is a beautiful memory that I personally treasure, and I know you will also keep it in your souls forever. Thank you for your dedication, your kindness, and for leaving a mark of hope on our land. It has been an honor to work by your side. Thank you to everyone

ERZITA (Honduran Volunteer)

It was an amazing trip! Thank you to everyone for the most humbling and rewarding experience of my life. I will forever be grateful and honored to have been a part of the Uhi team. My heart is full!

GINA (Dental Assistant)

Uhi Team Stats

Medical – 455

Dental – 128

Optometric – 154

Total patients – 737

AUKA

I just returned from my first MEDICO trip as a PA-C examining and treating patients for the first time!!! On my first trip with MEDICO in 2019, I was an EMT with a certain lack of direction. I watched medical providers care for this vulnerable community and realized with certainty that I wanted to be in that role someday. To come full circle as not only a provider on a team but also now a new board member of this organization is just a humbling and emotional gift.

So, thank you to such an awesome team who were all inspiring, hardworking, compassionate, hilarious, and endlessly patient with a new grad PA who has only had her license for one month with zero internet access.

I recommend anyone interested in participating on a team like this to visit the MEDICO website. Connecting with MEDICO is a great way to discover how you can make a meaningful impact, whether as a volunteer or by contributing to its mission.

ANGELA (Physician Assistant)

I have been a dental assistant for 26 years; I absolutely love what I do. I have a passion for dentistry and helping others. I do a lot of community volunteering with local dentists in my community, but I knew I was destined for more.

I did some research on overseas volunteering. MEDICO came across my search, and I applied for a team. I stayed in communication with our team leaders and they were a great help to me before I left the states and while we were in Honduras. I had never travelled outside the country before; this was a whole new experience for me. I was very impressed with the local people’s help as well as all that went into planning this mission trip. I put my life in their hands. This was the best decision of my life. This trip was beyond my expectations and will have forever changed my life. I had never seen poverty at this level before! It was an amazing experience to have helped so many people who have no other way to get help unless they want to walk for hours to the nearest remote clinic.

From the time we arrived in San Pedro Sula, every detail of the trip was discussed and well executed. It was quite the travel to Auka once in-country, but I was able to travel with a wonderful group of women from all parts of the US, who were also on their first trip and some even on their fourth trip. Getting to know these women made this trip so memorable. Once we arrived in Auka, the locals were so helpful in assisting us in whatever way needed. They were so appreciative that we were there.

On day one of clinic, people were wrapped around the church waiting to be seen. By day three we had a good routine going with the flow of patients so that we were able to make sure everyone was seen. We did not have to turn anyone away, which was amazing! I was able to teach the local children about brushing their teeth and they all received a toothbrush and toothpaste. We also were able to provide dental fluoride treatment for the children.

It was such a life-changing experience that warmed your heart as well as broke it. It was hard knowing this was the life they had but as a team we found a way to make it better for them as much as we could. I loved seeing the kids smile and laugh. MEDICO does so much good for this community. The organization provides health and hygiene education specifically to the girls of the village, oral health education for all in the community, and delivers essential medical assistance to those who would otherwise go without.

I can’t say enough good things about this mission. The experience left a lasting impression on me, and I am eager to participate in the next mission they organize. Returning to the United States, I brought with me a renewed perspective on life, to say the least.

TANYA (Dental Assistant)