Medical Services for Those with Limited Access
Inspiration and First Mission
A main pillar of service provided by the Foundation is the group’s annual medical mission.
Our Motivation
Motivated by the experience of participating in medical missions in Haiti, TCKF’s Carlos Martinez spearheaded the first modest but determined team of 23 medical and support professionals in 2016.
Our Goal
Provide free medical care to rural communities in El Salvador who would otherwise not have access to these services.
2025 Medical Mission Summary
The 2025 Castañeda Kids’ Medical Mission took place over five days across three locations, providing care to 3,056 patients.
Supporting HOPAC’s Mission for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy
- Newly added location with extremely limited healthcare access
- Provided medical care, health education, and meals
- Previously supported with English and scholarship programs
Centro Juan Pablo II
- Supported by TCKF for the past 6 years
- Built strong patient-provider relationships
- Community members receive annual check-ups and trust the mission deeply
Iglesia San José Las Isletas
- A brand-new site discovered through word of mouth
- High demand for healthcare in this underserved area
- Trucks were sent into mountainous regions and tickets distributed to ensure access
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures Through English
Throughout the five-day mission, common medical conditions treated included hypertension, diabetes, respiratory infections, and parasitic diseases.
The team faced several challenges, including managing a fluctuating supply of medications, which required constant monitoring, timely restocking, and strategic planning to ensure that patients received the necessary treatments.
Despite these obstacles, the impact on the community was profound, with many patients expressing deep gratitude for the care they received. The mission has established a sense of trust and hope within these communities, with future plans to expand its duration and reach.
Providing Care, Restoring Hope
TCKF sponsors roundtrip transportation buses and trucks to encourage patient participation and ensure that even the frailest and elderly can access care. During these missions, TCKF also fills thousands of prescriptions every day, providing frequently unavailable medication or enabling access to medications that are simply financially unattainable.
Running from February to November, these classes play a crucial role in the students' education, helping them improve their employability.
Serving with Heart
A Team Dedicated to Community Well-Being
The team works to educate patients on commonly seen chronic conditions. They host multiple clinics throughout the mission week on disease causes, treatment, and patient management. The Foundation also provides hundreds of reading glasses, assistive devices, toothbrushes, and thousands of children’s vitamins to these under-resourced communities.
The effort is substantive, but the results are priceless!
Real Numbers, Real Lives Changed
A Letter from our Medical Director - 2023 Medical Mission
As I reflect on our Medical Mission to El Salvador earlier this year, I continue to be filled with a sense of gratitude and fulfillment. It’s truly remarkable to witness the impact we make in the lives of so many individuals by providing a service that many of us almost take for granted.
This year, our team saw an astonishing number of patients—over 3,000 in total—during our week-long mission. The dedication and tireless efforts of each member of our team made it possible for us to provide care to those who need it most. Wow. So inspiring!
One of the aspects I enjoy most about the TCKF’s missions is the planning and camaraderie we experience with our fellow medical professionals. It’s an opportunity to work closely with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for serving others. The unity and teamwork we exhibit during these weeks inspires me and reminds me of why I chose to become a doctor so many years ago. So thank you all for this gift!
This year marked my sixth year leading this expanding team, and I can confidently say that each mission has been different yet equally fulfilling. We encounter new challenges along the way, but our determination and resilience never wavers. The hardest aspect for me personally is always wanting to do more. We witness the immense need for medical care, and it can be frustrating at times that our resources are limited. However, I firmly believe that the impact we make, no matter how small, has the potential to change lives and give back in ways unimaginable.
One of the highlights of this year’s mission was the opportunity to bring young medical professionals in trainingas part of the team. Seeing their enthusiasm and dedication as budding health care providers gives me hope for the future. It was a privilege to educate and serve alongside them, as they brought fresh perspectives and a renewed energy to our team.
Looking ahead, I’m already filled with excitement and anticipation for our next Medical Mission in 2024. Please reach out to me over the coming months with any thoughts and ideas of how we can improve our efforts. Also let me know if you have any initiatives you’d like to see incorporated. I’m all ears! In the meantime, I encourage everyone to continue your fundraising efforts as every penny we raise makes a big difference.
Thank you for being a part of the TCKF family. It was a great week and I’m hopeful to see old friends, as well as meet some new ones, in January!
All the best,
Rhys Dapar, MD
Together, We Make Change Happen
Follow us on Instagram
Through individual donations, you can sponsor an annual scholarship for an elementary or high school student. Each scholarship donation includes full tuition alongside one daily snack for each student.
These scholarships have been impactful and life changing for both the students, their families and their communities. We’d be grateful if you’d like to help and become part of this change.
