Are you curious about why we do staircase construction projects on our Service Learning Trips? There is actually a story behind these projects, one that highlights MEDLIFE’s values surrounding sustainability and tackling outside factors that contribute to overall health in low-income communities.
During one of MEDLIFE’s mobile clinics held in Lima, specifically in a community known as Minas 2000, a significant event unfolded that would shape our organization’s approach to development projects. A woman named Chais arrived at the clinic in considerable pain, having recently given birth prematurely. Her premature labor was a direct result of a fall she suffered while navigating the treacherous path to her home.
Identifying the Root Causes
Dr. Nick Ellis, along with MEDLIFE volunteers and staff, visited Chais’ home to understand the circumstances that led to her fall. They discovered that she lived on a steep, rocky hillside. The path to her home was slippery and dangerous, especially during Lima’s humid winters. This made it incredibly difficult for residents to move safely, particularly for vulnerable individuals like pregnant women and the elderly.
A Turning Point: Our First Staircase Construction Project
Nick realized that providing medical care alone was not sufficient; it was crucial to address the underlying factors contributing to health issues. In this case, the hazardous path was a significant health risk for the entire community.
This understanding led to the decision to initiate MEDLIFE’s first development project: staircase construction within the community to ensure safe access to homes. Click here to watch the full video of MEDLIFE’s first staircase!
“Chais’ story highlighted the importance of looking beyond immediate medical needs to understand the deeper, structural causes of health problems. After Chais fell in a muddy area without staircases, she went into premature labor, leading to complications for her baby. This incident revealed how a lack of basic infrastructure, like staircases, can directly affect health outcomes. By listening to her story, MEDLIFE realized that building staircases in vulnerable communities could prevent such accidents and improve safety.
As MEDLIFE built staircases in Chais’ community, we discovered that infrastructure issues extended beyond safety. Staircases and retention walls were essential for gaining land titles, which in turn allowed communities to access critical services like water, sewage, electricity, and loans. This insight led us to a significant realization: addressing infrastructure not only solved immediate safety concerns but also tackled deeper systemic issues that hindered access to essential services and legal rights. By focusing on these root causes, MEDLIFE provided long-lasting, sustainable solutions to poverty in these communities.” – Nick Ellis, MEDLIFE Founder & CEO
Hear it from the heroes: Alberto Paredes
Alberto Paredes, Director of MEDLIFE Lima/Director of Finances for Field Offices, shares his insights on the first MEDLIFE staircase project, highlighting how this initiative not only improved safety but also fostered a stronger sense of community and self-reliance among the residents. Watch his video here.
For more MEDLIFE volunteer work examples, check out some of our other work here. To learn how you can get involved with MEDLIFE today, fill out the interest form below, download our free brochure, or check out some of our upcoming Service Learning Trips.