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2012 Winter Clinics in Ecuador: 3 Weeks, 17 Clinics, and Nearly 2,000 Patients
By Laura Keen & Brenda Bravo
Against a panoramic backdrop of lush, terraced fields outside Riobamba, Ecuador hundreds of MEDLIFE students worked tirelessly during three back-to-back January clinics, a MEDLIFE first. Waking early every morning for bus rides through the stunning Andes highlands, students manned clinics throughout the counties of Chimborazo, Colta, and Guamote. Three groups of volunteers attended to over 900 adults and over 800 children while gaining extensive knowledge about the Ecuadorian healthcare system and widespread local ailments and disease.
Each day a group of students also traveled to the site of one of two community development projects: a new bathroom in Pull San Pedro and a spacious classroom for a school filled to capacity in tropical Valle Alto.
Once the clinics wrapped for the day, students played energetically with local children and enjoyed famed Ecuadorian hospitality in the form of never-ending plates of potatoes, corn, and lima beans. Thanks to all our January participants for your enthusiasm and commitment to bringing basic healthcare to these worthy communities!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.