This medical mission is an incredible opportunity to make a tremendously positive impact on the lives of Guatemalan children and adults who suffer from cleft birth defects or blindness through cataracts.

The 2026 Iowa MOST Cleft Mission dates are scheduled from January 16th, 2026 through January 25th, 2026.

As you consider applying to volunteer for the Iowa MOST Trip, please consider that all volunteers must be in good physical condition and healthy in order to fulfill mission responsibilities.

The team puts in long, challenging days filled with meeting the needs of the children who are cleft patients and their families.

All applications will be required to upload a current passport and COVID vaccine card.  Please note that Guatemala requires passports to be valid 6 months AFTER the entry date into the country.

Non-Medical Volunteers

  1. Non-medical volunteer positions are limited as this is a medical mission facilitated in a small hospital with limited space for volunteers.
  2. Fluency in Spanish is not required, but is certainly a bonus to help volunteers interact positively and efficiently with the families we serve.
  3. Volunteers must possess mission critical skills including excellent interpersonal skills, stamina to work long hours, and experience working with children.
  4. Iowa MOST benefits from self-motivated volunteers who can both follow direction from the medical team as well as work independently finding ways to serve.
  5. All non-medical volunteers are responsible for 100% of their mission expenses to cover air and ground transportation, hotel (shared room), and meal expenses.  This total is approximately $1,500 to $1,700.

Medical Volunteers

  1. Every medial volunteer is required to complete an application for the mission.
  2. You are required to submit a copy of your passport and proof of board certification and/or diploma with your application.
  3. Every medical volunteer is required to pay a minimum of $300 to help subsidize annual mission expenses.

Please note: A Google account is required to apply.

Apply now

****NOTE TO RETURNING APPLICANTS****

Please reuse the same Google account when applying.  Be aware that you may see a screen like the following:

Please click the “Edit your response” link to proceed with this year’s application.  Your previous data will be imported.  Please verify this data is accurate and fill out the new fields highlighted.