Destinations
Click on each dot to see a description of the project(s) at each location.
Amazon Basin, Peru
You leave Iquitos, the largest city in the world that is accessible only by either plane or boat, and travel down the Amazon River to the ecolodge you will stay at. Trips by boat to a different village every day allow you to treat patients in an amazing ecosystem. Time will be allotted for a jungle canopy walk, fishing for Piranha, and a night boat ride through the jungle. Hosted by a great partner DB Peru.
Lima, Peru
Lima is a unique KIA destination in several ways. We have been sending teams led by Noriko Boorberg for many years in a row. Her and our local sponsor Vera Martin have established a wonderful working relationship. The result is a little less surgery and a greater emphasis on restorative and preventative care. As well, the accommodations and dining are a little more upscale than a traditional KIA excursion. Good for rookies.
Sacred Valley, Peru
We are pleased to announce Sacred Valley as a destination for volunteers with KIA. We have been going there for over 10 years and we have the same host as always, Linda Ochoa. This trip is a little less intense than some of the others, very nice accommodations and a spectacular setting. It's easy to incorporate seeing Machu Picchu at the end of the commitment.
Otuzco, Peru
A flight from Lima to Trujillo takes you to the Peruvian “Swiss Alps”. A very cost effective trip to volunteer for as the accommodations are provided at no cost to KIA. Huge need for care here. Unique in that the clinic is in the same location as our accommodations. This means no set up and breakdowns daily. The patients come to us, some of them walking up to 12 hours to get there.
Morropon, Peru
Also hosted by DB Peru, this location is in northern Peru, a very arid part of the country. To get there we fly from Lima to Piuria. Very few of the locals have any access to dental care, so your days will be hectic. Located inland from Peru’s best beaches.
Chisec, Guatemala
Kindness in Action and CHILA have nurtured a very special relationship over the years. We have been sending back to back teams to northern Guatemala annually and still the need for dental care is huge. Dr. Brian Smith is our generous and enthusiastic host. The rosters for these teams fills up quickly because there are so many volunteers who are returning again, including KIA VP Dr. Dave Maskell, who has been a leader on every team into Chisec for the last decade.
Leh Ladakh, India
Ladakh is a region in the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir. You are in the Great Himalayas so altitude sickness may be a factor. It is very close to the India/Tibet border and the majority of patients will be Tibetan refugees. Flying in and out of New Delhi allows us to include a trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Cambodia
A perennial favourite. Committing for this mission is a great choice. Two weeks with the legendary Peter Heyes as your host. The need for dental care in immense. Peter and his helpers will ensure that you get to see Cambodian culture close up. Highlights include Angkor Wat at Siem Riep. This destination is the #1 budget bang for the buck.
Bolivia
A first time trip to the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia, one of the poorest countries of South America. Dr. Tim Nawrot is trying to assemble a team to work in rural Bolivia, partnering with the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz. If you haven’t KIA travelled with Dr. Tim, he is looking for adventurous souls who can go with the flow. The flights are long and complicated and the trip could get rustic at times. Lots of details to work out yet. Hoping to end just before Easter so those who would like to ,can stay and enjoy the Bolivian festivities.
Vietnam
In cooperation with Medical Aid for Vietnam, KIA volunteers will work alongside a local vision team in rural and remote villages. The focus is on bringing medical, dental and vision care to the poor and disabled. We will be flying in and out of Ho Chi Minh City. Six to seven days of clinic out of two different locations. Not a luxury trip, you will eat authentic local cuisine, accommodations will be simple but comfortable.
Panama
In the mountains of the district of Cocle’ lies the small town Balle de ‘Anton known for being in the second largest inhabited volcano crater in the world. The micro-climate here is host to amazing varieties of flora and fauna and is milder than the climate at sea level. The local population is mainly descended from the Guaymi Indian tribe. This is a first time excursion for KIA so please come with a sense of adventure.
Tena, Ecuador
A return to the east side of the Andes in Ecuador. We have sent teams in the past and are hoping to return in 2020. Tena is on the Napo River, part of the Amazon Basin. An adventurous ride by bus from Quito over the Andes to the other side. Clinics will be in different villages every day. Accommodations are in a spectacular jungle lodge.
Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Hanes Kroneg has hosted all of the KIA trips to Tena. This year he hopes to host a KIA team on the Pacific side of the Andes in a coastal village called Puerto Lopez. We will be working 4 days and on the 5th day make a trip to the National Park Machalila, with some of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador.
Morocco
This will be our third visit to M’Hamid, Morocco. You will cross over the Atlas Mountain Range by van into the Sahara Desert where you will stay in Bedouin tents. Lots of sand, camels, and an incredible view of the Milky Way in the night sky. Also, there is a huge amount of dental need. Denise and Ali take very special care of KIA volunteers.
Yunnan, China
Yunnan is a province is southwestern China with a varied landscape of mountains, rice terraces, lakes and deep gorges. It is the poorest province in China and is known for it’s large number of ethnic minorities. A first time excursion, sure to be full of adventure. Probably will connect through Hong Kong.
