DePauw University operates yearly mission projects in disaster areas of Central and South America. Since 1976, 26 missions in 8 countries have been conducted. With the guidance of international health and engineering professionals, over 500 undergraduate student volunteers have managed the planning, execution, and outcome review aspects of the projects. This paper examines and summarizes the work to date, emphasizing the vital interactions between volunteers and the local health communities. We conclude that ongoing disaster relief projects such as ours serve a useful purpose in the delivery of disaster relief services.