"Standing on the giving side of human need." [Dr. Charles Coulston]

At Body and Soul, or BandS, Ministries, we take Dr. Coulston's quote to heart and provide free health care in under-developed countries to those people who typically go untreated. We do this by providing an avenue for part-time volunteers to contribute their time, talents, skills and funds, while working hard to use our resources in the most cost effective manner. We maintain a very low overhead, yet focus on reaching out to help as many people as possible.

To this end, we often work with other non-profit organizations that already have facilities in-country. This provides a logistical advantage that lets us focus on providing supplies and recruiting volunteers. BandS also sponsors dedicated surgical programs to help those suffering from debilitating conditions, such as cleft palates or cataracts. These disorders make life extremely difficult, yet they can be remedied with common procedures. In addition to clinics and surgeries, we also take on special development projects. These are usually aimed at enhancing a country's healthcare system, but also include orphanages and disaster relief.

Recruiting volunteers is an important part of our operation. We realize there are many individuals who wish to give something of themselves, but only have a week or two to contribute each year. These people not only receive satisfaction from helping those in need, they also enjoy traveling to a foreign country. And because BandS operates all over the world, volunteers have a variety of trips from which to choose. Each excursion has its own unique living and working conditions, so volunteers are interviewed to find trips that match their travel experience and capabilities.

Another important aspect of BandS is the help we provide to medical communities wherever we travel. Like in medicine, our first rule is "do no harm." So we only participate in clinics that operate in under-served areas where we won't disrupt the private practices of local providers. In fact, we often hire local professionals to work alongside volunteers in an effort to bolster their practice and possibly demonstrate new techniques and treatments.

Whenever BandS hires a local physician, funds a surgery, or takes on a development project, the cost is covered through the generosity of our many donors. And because our modest overhead is already covered by a prearrangement with a generous benefactor, all other donations go directly to helping those in need. At BandS, we greatly appreciate all who contribute by volunteering their time or donating whatever funds they can. If you can help in any way, please go to the "Contributions" section or CLICK HERE.