In 2021, MEDLIFE built “Mi Vida Panadería” in the community of Unión Santa Fe in Lima, Peru, a bakery created out of necessity during the pandemic. At a time when food insecurity was a pressing issue, the community came together with MEDLIFE to construct a bakery that produced over 1,000 rolls of bread daily. This new bakery was the answer to many’s prayers, providing essential support to families during a difficult period. The bakery offered more than just bread, but a sense of hope, solidarity, and community resilience. Although the bakery project was paused, the spirit and the mission behind it remained strong. Today, MEDLIFE is reigniting that vision with the aim of not only reopening the bakery but transforming it into an active education outreach program for the community.

MEDLIFE’s Commitment To Equal Access To Education

The plan to renovate and reopen the bakery is now accompanied by a new initiative: offering culinary courses that the local community members can participate in for free, a concerted first step in the direction of making equal access to education a reality for all. These courses will teach not just baking skills, but also broader culinary knowledge and practical skills that can open doors to new job opportunities. These courses will hopefully encourage community members to join and gain essential skills to build the stepping stones to a prosperous future.

Gaining Hands-On Experience

By offering education in a practical, hands-on environment, this education outreach program provides a unique opportunity for the community. Instead of traditional classroom settings, the bakery serves as a functional and dynamic space for learning. Community members will be able to apply what they learn immediately, making the education they receive not only practical but deeply relevant to their daily lives. This approach ensures that education is not limited by conventional barriers, such as access to formal schools or expensive courses, and aligns with how to make education more accessible in low-income areas.

Hear what the participants of our first course have to say about it:

Stephany:

My goal is to be able to develop a little more in the course, to move forward, maybe with that, I can open a business too, who knows?

Julio V (instructor):

We are teaching many young people about the world of bakery. This effort that we are all doing can leave good students with better knowledge and that can help the community to keep growing.

Rosalinda:

I am looking forward to it because I really like baking, and also entrepreneurship.

Maria Esperanza:

I would like to be able to get a related job and maybe to grow a little more in the field because I do like it. So, this will open up many opportunities in that regard.

Breaking Barriers & Breaking Bread

Mi Vida Panadería, now more than ever, serves as a platform for opportunity, empowerment, and resilience. With its combination of vocational training and practical skills, this initiative will open pathways to employment, personal growth, and entrepreneurship. The reopening of Mi Vida Panadería demonstrates how education outreach programs can have a far-reaching impact beyond traditional education systems, creating real change in the lives of those who need it most. MEDLIFE’s partnership with Unión Santa Fe is a constant reminder that communities can break barriers and build their futures through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to learning and growth.

Help Make Education More Accessible With MEDLIFE

We at MEDLIFE would not be able to achieve these great leaps in the fight against poverty and lack of service without our volunteers. By volunteering abroad with MEDLIFE, you can participate in educational outreach programs, mobile clinics, and infrastructure projects that uplift our partner communities like Union Santa Fe.

If you wish to directly impact the lives of communities in their journey towards accessing education, health care, and safe homes, consider joining a Service Learning Trip. To learn how you can get started with us today, fill out the interest form below, download our free brochure, or check out some of our upcoming SLTs!