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PHOTOBLOG: Visiting Projects and Follow-Up Patients in Lima

As part of our post-clinic activities, our staff last week went to visit four patients in Lima who we met during our mobile clinics. Luckily, these patients are already being treated in the Peruvian health system SIS. Although they did not require economic support from MEDLIFE, they did however, require tools to be able to access their treatment and therefore access a better quality of life.

Another one of our visits was to a PRONOEI (public kindergarten) located in Villa Maria del Triunfo. Said kindergarten informed us that they needed a new roof since the one they currently have was very dangerous for the children.


We invite you to see the following photo blog to know more about our beneficiaries of the week:

 DearOur first stop was at the PRONOEI (public kindergarten) at Las Lomas community where the local teaches requested materials to build a new roof to protect the children from the sun and the rain. They were so thankful that they made an amazing poster for our organization! The poster reads: Thank you for support MEDLIFE. Community Las Lomas.

IMG 4734The second stop was at the house of Delfina, an 81-year-old lady who is the grandmother of our follow-up patient Ian. Ian was born with congenital auricular atresia — a birth defect that left her with only a partially developed ear on one side, and a small vestigial structure on her cheek, so he is following a long treatment with us. Delfina has hip dysplasia and arthritis, and her daughter, Ian’s mom, is unable of transport her outside the house on her own. A wheelchair will allow Delfina to go easily to her therapies and medical appointments.

IMG 4738

IMG 4741We met Saturnina in a Mobile Clinic. She is following a treatment at the local hospital for her Parkinson, low back pain, and osteoarthritis. She is currently only using a walking stick that causes too much pain. We got her a walker that will be of great help not only her safe transportation but also to offer a support for her body.

IMG 4751Our next patient was Marines. Her family situation is one of the most difficult ones we have had to encounter. Her family’s economic situation is so difficult that her mom has followed us through several mobile clinics just to get some free iron vitamins for her daughter. Marines was diagnosed late with Leukemia due to a lack of medical attention in her natal Apurimac (one of the poorest regions in Peru). Due to this, her parents had to sell everything and emigrate to Lima to access her treatment. Before building themselves a house, her mom slept on the floors of the hospital for several weeks. Currently they live in a very precarious situation which has gradually improved thanks to the store they have managed to open in their remote community. We are currently giving Marines powdered milk to keep her Leukemia in check while she continues with her medical checkups. This powdered milk is very expensive in Peru, and it would be impossible for the Marines’s family to buy it on their own. We are currently asking our volunteers to bring powdered milk when they come to mobile clinics while working in a more sustainable way to help Marines and their family get by.

IMG 4764Later we visited Norma, a 69-year-old grandmother who is following a treatment for her Parkinson and Osteoporosis. A wheelchair was delivered so her daughter can take her to the hospital more easily.

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Hear it From MEDLIFErs

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Reya Seby
Western University

This trip motivated me more to pursue a career in the healthcare field so that I can use my resources to help those who need it the most, similar to MEDLIFE’s mission.

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Victoria DiCanio
University of Connecticut

It was most enjoyable to finish the hard work and see how big a difference a group of individuals can make. It was such an amazing experience.

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Anita Woo
University of Toronto

I enjoyed the mobile clinics the most, especially the dental and triage portions. I would definitely recommend a MEDLIFE trip, it was a great experience.

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David Saff
Maclay High School

The most enjoyable part of my trip was hanging out with the amazing group of kids I was with. I would highly recommend a MEDLIFE volunteer trip to others.

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Sydney Sansone
Nova Southeastern University

This trip made everything that I was learning in my public health courses come to life and immersed me in a new culture while also learning about medicine.

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Abygail Youmans
College of Charleston

Being involved with MEDLIFE is not like joining another club - its bigger than that. It is about joining a movement that seeks to help change people’s quality of life for forever.

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Emi Hofmann
University of Central Florida

Not only was I able to participate in a week long Mobile Clinic, shadowing doctors of all types of specialties including pharmacy, dentistry, gynecology, and more, but I was also able to learn about the culture and visit incredible places.

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Julian Takagi-Stewart
University of Toronto

One thing that I really loved about this trip was that MEDLIFE made sure that the volunteers got an understanding of the complexity of issues that lead to underprivileged people in communities outside of the main city

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Hannah Van Hofwegen
University of Ottawa

Whether it was basketball with the local kids, assisting the doctors, talking with families, building washrooms, holding babies, or spending time with the people who were on the SLT with me, this was an amazing opportunity that I would do over and over again.

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Isabelle Holt
Cornell University

I loved learning about the patients MEDLIFE has followed and how they offer real help to people with chronic/urgent conditions. It is amazing how the organization formed real connections with the communities.

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Valerie Lindeborg
Parent

Our family had the privilege of participating in multiple trips with Nick [founder] and his amazing staff. Their expertise made the trips unforgettable while instilling in my boys the fundamentals of good character: selflessness, compassion, and empathy.

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Harry Vildibill
University of Georgia

As an aspiring physician, MEDLIFE motivated me to further continue my goal of becoming a doctor. In fact, I enjoyed the Tanzania Service Learning Trip so much that I decided to go on another trip to Cusco, Peru.