Hand in hand with communities, we empower the poor in their fight for equal access to healthcare, education, and a safe home.
The MEDLIFE Difference
Our mission is to build a worldwide Movement empowering the underserved in their fight for equal access to healthcare, education, and a safe home. To achieve our mission, we take a different approach to international medical relief: listening, collaborating, prioritizing sustainability, and always following-up.
Start By Listening
When we begin our work - in the field or in the office - we start by listening. Our priorities are driven by the communities we partner with. Rather than telling someone what they need, we hear their concerns and struggles, and come up with a solution together.
Hand in Hand
Our dual approach empowers volunteers and low-income communities to cultivate change by working together on Service Learning Trips and beyond. Everything we do is supported 50% by MEDLIFE, and 50% by the community.
Sustainable Action
To be a part of the solution in a world full of problems, we focus our actions on sustainable community development projects. We also work with local doctors, nurses, and community leaders who are long term partners.
Year Round Patient Care
Our local nurses and doctors provide 24/7/365 high-quality patient follow-up care to individuals we meet on Mobile Clinics. Commitment and follow through are their priorities.
The Heart of MEDLIFE
MEDLIFE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that partners with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve their access to medicine, education, and community development projects. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a world free from the constraints of poverty, we provide opportunities for students to become advocates for change by creating on-campus Chapters, volunteering in Service Learning Trips, and supporting the Moving Mountains giving program. With this support, MEDLIFE hires and trains local staff to provide high quality 24/7/365 patient care, community development projects, and educational workshops to empower communities in need.
Our Homes
The sites in Latin America and Africa where we run Service Learning Trips, employ local staff, and provide patient follow-up care and community development projects, are referred to as our homes. These are the places where we have deeply rooted connections to the local communities and the ability to work hand in hand on creating a world free from the constraints of poverty. Our current homes include: Lima, Peru - Cusco, Peru - Riobamba, Ecuador - Tena, Ecuador - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - Tamarindo, Costa Rica - San Jose, Costa Rica.
MEDLIFE Chapters
MEDLIFE Chapters are the pillars of our Movement. They are student groups, led by passionate faculty or students, that represent and promote MEDLIFE volunteer abroad programs at their schools and in their local communities. They make an immeasurable impact - raising money for MEDLIFE, volunteering in Service Learning Trips, engaging in local community service initiatives, and more. Involved students develop leadership skills, have the opportunity to make a difference, and build important relationships that last a lifetime.