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For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10
Mid-February: Application Available
April: Application Due
May: Team Notification
June/July: U.S. Orientation
September/October: Trips Begin
The love of Christ propels MMM to provide for those that need clean water. This is most evident to the
villagers when men and women from around the world give up their time and money to make sure that the community
receives the gift of life through clean water. Our volunteers are a vital part of Marion Medical Mission. Their presence
during well installations is an indication to the villagers that they are not alone in their needs, but that there are
people thousands of miles away who know their plight and care enough to help.
When in Africa, volunteers are paired up and sent out to the most remote villages with a member of our African
staff. The off-road, four-wheel drive trucks are loaded with parts to complete the wells. Many of the wells are past
the point of truck allowance; volunteers must then walk the remaining distance to a well site. Once they arrive, a member
of our African staff works to install the pump as the volunteers talk with villagers and record data for the well. After the
installation, the volunteer dedicates the well to the Glory of God, says a prayer with the community and takes a picture
of the villagers gathered around the well in celebration. The interaction between volunteers and villagers is an integral
part of the Well program as it establishes love, trust and hope for the future.
MMM volunteers must be over 21 years of age by the starting date of the trip. They travel to Africa for a three-week
period on one of two teams. These teams go between mid-September and the end of October. All volunteers are
responsible for financing their own trips. The cost for an average MMM volunteer is between $3,000 and $4,000, including
airfare, room and board, immunizations, and various expenditures. Those interested in volunteering submit an application
between mid-February and end of March. The MMM volunteer committee reviews the application and conducts interviews of applicants. Due to limitations, only 20 volunteers per team are accepted. Each volunteer is required to attend a one-day training session tentatively scheduled in either June in Estes Park, CO or in July in Marion, IL.
The experiences that volunteers take part in are life changing. The joy and smiles you see from the people of Africa
stay with you. Being a volunteer with MMM is a great way to live out Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
“I saw such joy on all of the village faces at each site as they received this wonderful gift but I will never forget the happy amazement on the faces of the older men and women who said, ‘we never thought we would see this in our lifetime.’ What a privilege to represent Marion Medical Mission and all of the donors who made this possible for over 2,500 villages this year alone.”
~Tara Wentworth, 2016 MMM volunteer
Have questions about volunteering? CONTACT US