Summer volunteers and long-term volunteers sometimes assist in rural health centers or Subcentros de Salud.  These centers, staffed by permanent nurses and doctors and dentists doing a rural service year, are charged with serving 8-15 rural communities in addition to the towns where they are located.  Often lines are long and the staff must work hard to see all the patients.  They also must travel to the rural communities to provide care and undertake vaccination campaigns.  Tandana volunteers assist the staff with all of their work, doing everything from taking vitals and filing records to going on home visits and helping vaccinate children.  They often learn a lot about medicine and public health by working with the doctors and nurses and enjoy the rewards of helping rural families with their health.

"The time I spent in the clinic was incredible.  I worked with Dr. Paula and she taught me so much.  She also challenged me, having me listen to lungs and tell her what I heard.  We also walked to homes in the communities as a staff, and I learned a lot about the area and saw their dedication to the community.  It is something I will never forget."
-- Kristy, volunteer from Minnesota