We are the medlife movement

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 empower students and volunteers 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.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK

service learning trips

MEDLIFE Chapters

STUDENT GROWTH & LEADERSHIP

Listen, Analyze, Act // Escuchar, Analizar, y Actuar

At MEDLIFE we listen to more than just the spoken word. Our priorities are driven by the root causes of an issue, something only understood by physically being there, by actively listening and taking action to address structural violence.

En MEDLIFE escuchamos más allá de la palabra hablada. Establecemos nuestras prioridades de acuerdo al origen de un problema que únicamente se comprende escuchando activamente y haciéndole frente a la violencia estructural.

Fight for Equality // Luchar por la igualidad

We are committed to equality for all. Where you live or who you are should not determine your quality of life or your access to quality healthcare, education, or a safe home. We believe in and fight for equality for everyone.

Estamos comprometidos con la igualdad para todos. El dónde vives o quién eres no debería determinar tu calidad de vida o tu acceso a salud de calidad, educación o un hogar seguro. Creemos y luchamos por la igualdad para todos.

Create Life-Changing Experiences // Crear experiencias que cambian vidas

Through collaborative and educational volunteering we empower students, staff, community leaders, donors, and more to transform their perspective on the world.

Mediante el voluntariado colaborativo y educacional, empoderamos a estudiantes, colaboradores, líderes comunitarios, donantes y más, a cambiar su perspectiva sobre el mundo.

Build Bridges // Construir puentes

We improve on current models of charitable work by bridging the gaps. This includes implementing public and private service partnerships that provide holistic solutions for poor communities and connecting international communities around the world.

Mejoramos los modelos existentes de trabajo social cerrando las brechas. Esto incluye la implementación de alianzas públicas y privadas que otorguen soluciones integrales para comunidades vulnerables, y conectando con comunidades internacionales alrededor del mundo.

Empower Passionate Leaders // Empoderar líderes apasionados

We know that passionate leaders can come from anywhere whether it be a partner community or educational institution. We identify those leaders at home and abroad and empower them through training and skills that amplify their voice and impact.

Sabemos que los líderes con pasión provienen de distintos lugares, ya sea una comunidad asociada una institución educativa. Identificamos a esos líderes tanto en casa como en el extranjero, y los empoderamos a través de entrenamiento y habilidades que amplifiquen su voz e impacto.

Our History

MEDLIFE was founded in 2004 by Nick Ellis. While working in hospitals in Chimborazo, Ecuador, Nick volunteered as a translator for a medical mission organization. On one of these clinics, Nick met a young boy in need of heart surgery. Unfortunately, the clinic was only in town for a day and could do nothing beyond making the diagnosis. Nick found this deeply troubling — what is the point of running medical missions if they are powerless to help the people who truly need it?

Following this experience, Nick knew he had to do something. Upon returning home to Bangor, Maine Nick stood in a Walmart parking lot asking for donations and within hours, had enough funds to provide heart surgery for the young boy, named Darwin. Darwin became our first MEDLIFE patient.

Out of Chimborazo, MEDLIFE has since expanded to other parts of Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania, and Nicaragua. All of our work has been informed by Nick’s experience with Darwin — we partner with patients and communities, listening to their needs and helping where we can.

Out of Nick’s experience raising money back home for Darwin came the first 4 MEDLIFE Chapters, today joined by hundreds more who continue to support our on the ground efforts by raising awareness of global health and development issues, collecting donations, and volunteering at home and abroad.