Here are some of the more common questions people ask about MMC and its operations (click on questions below to go direct to their answers). If you can't find out what you want to know from this site, please be sure to send us your questions or comments using our "contact us" page.

How did MMC get started?

Do I have to pay my own way overseas?

What can my donated money do, through MMC?

Why do you go back to the same places?

How did MMC get started?

From the time of their engagement, Dr. Myron and Elaine Semkuley vowed to help less fortunate persons in impoverished areas. Once their five adopted children were out on their own, Elaine and Myron set out to find truly needy people who could benefit from even the little help they had to offer at first. Diligently collecting, sorting, and repacking medications and medical supplies in the basement of their home, they started making annual trip to the Thai-Burma border and to villages of Ukraine. In 1997 a group of friends and supporters gathered in the Semkuleys' living room and established Medical Mercy Canada, which was soon to become a registered Canadian charity (BN 86989 0541 RR 0001). Over the years, Elaine and Myron and now MMC have systematically gathered, processed, and packed thousands of pounds of donated medications and medical instruments and supplies. The dedication and perseverance of the Semkuleys inspires admiration and has garnered them several awards, but it is the relationships they have established with their overseas beneficiaries which spurs them back year after year. "We've become family, they expect us every year," says Elaine.

Do I have to pay my own way overseas?

Since 1992 Medical Mercy Canada volunteers have traveled annually to the Thai Burma - India Burma border and rural Ukraine, providing medical aid and instruction, distributing donated supplies and funds, and following up on our ongoing projects. All those who go on Medical Mercy Canada trips pay 100% of their own expenses including airfare.

What can my donated money do, through MMC?

A relatively small amount of money can translate into a great benefit along the Thai-Burma border, where economical supplies are available locally. For example, in 2002 we were able to fund a 16 X 32 foot semi-permanent clinic building for Burmese refugees, at a total cost of about $1,600 Canadian. Every penny of funding is wisely spent and accounted for, and projects are reviewed during  annual visits.

Why do you go back to the same places?

One of the strengths of Medical Mercy Canada is our direct personal contact with the people in need, year after year. Relationships are built, and accountable progress is made. (For an excellent answer to this question, please see Elaine's article on page 4 of the August 31 MMC Update.)