Lima, Peru
Population: 8.432 million
Land Area: 2,672 km²
Languages: Spanish & Quechua
Currency: Peruvian Sol
About lima
Lima is Peru’s capital and a modern sprawling city with around 10 million inhabitants. It is located on the arid coast of western Peru and is known for its world-class cuisine, wealth of history (pre-Inca and colonial), and vibrant art scene. MEDLIFE is headquartered in this diverse city, but for reasons beyond why a typical tourist might stop here.
Why You Should Come
On the outskirts of Lima there are shantytowns known as “pueblos jovenes,” where MEDLIFE works. These communities started as an escape from the instability and violence of the 1980s, but have continued as people from the rural villages in the mountains of Peru migrate to the city in search of economic opportunity. The rapid population growth in these areas has left many communities plagued by low wages, lack of basic resources, and forgotten by the government.
Since 2010, MEDLIFE’s work in Lima has focused primarily on a set of communities located in the south of Lima, where almost 1 million people live in conditions of extreme poverty. These communities consist of small shacks, often made of reed mats or plywood and built into the treacherous rocky hillsides around Lima. Most of these communities lack access to water and electricity.
How You Can Help
MEDLIFE addresses some of the most pressing issues in these communities through Mobile Clinics, patient follow-up, and community development projects. But our work would not be possible without motivated individuals like you choosing to volunteer in Service Learning Trips.
In Lima, you can help us address the needs of low-income communities by signing up for the following Service Learning Trips:
Additional Travel opportunities
A trip to Peru would be incomplete without witnessing the majesty of Machu Picchu and experiencing the spectacular rolling sand dunes of Ica. With optional tourism extensions offered by our partner travel company, Good Life Expeditions, you can explore more of your SLT destination while continuing to support MEDLIFE partner communities and traveling sustainably.
