1-844-633-5433

Through a Different Lens: Intern Journal by Aidan Wells

I’m a biology major. My classes involve a lot of walking through the woods, measuring the circumference of trees, and counting bugs. So, you’d be correct to assume that my friends had quite a few questions when I decided to pick up and move 3,199 miles (5148 km for anyone who’s wondering) away for three months to do an internship that consists mostly of taking pictures, writing blogs, and posting on the MEDLIFE facebook page. The answer is pretty simple; I am trying to see the world through a different lens.


 

There is something about being behind the camera which gives you a sort of all-access pass. There is hardly a thing that happens in MEDLIFE that I don’t know about because it’s my job to be there. I’m documenting and capturing MEDLIFE’s day-to-day happenings and spreading the word about what we do. Along the way, I’m learning what it’s like to see the world from another perspective.

 

Because of MEDLIFE, I was able to accompany Mercedes, a mother of six living in Villa Maria Triunfo, and comfort her during her very first trip to the doctor’s office in Lima. I had the opportunity within the walls of Santa Monica Women’s Penitentiary to document the first in a series of mobile clinics that will be held there.  I got to interview Carmen Narvaez, one of the MEDLIFE nurses, and learned that she has been a champion of women’s rights for basically her entire professional career. I was given the personal honor of inaugurating MEDLIFE’s first water pump project in the community of 15C, which will prevent community members from having to carry heavy buckets up incredibly steep hills just to have fresh water. In just three months, I’ve done all this, shot multiple service learning trips, conducted multiple interviews in both Spanish and English, and even been to the desert twice to snap a few photos of the volunteers sandboarding. Yet somehow, there is still more to be done! 

 

In MEDLIFE, there are so many stories that need to be heard, and I’ve spent this summer trying to be the one to tell them. In doing so, my eyes have been opened to the realities of poverty, structural violence, and so much more. I’m leaving Lima as not only a better photographer, but a better person, global citizen, and future health professional. 

 

I can’t write paragraph upon paragraph about photography and not include any pictures, so I’ll end this with some of my favorite moments from the summer. 

 

Two volunteers pose in front of a newly painted MEDLIFE sign in Bella Vista. Taken during my first mobile clinic of the summer.Two volunteers pose in front of a newly painted MEDLIFE sign in Bella Vista. Taken during my first mobile clinic of the summer.

Catalina, a follow-up patient originally from Cusco, poses with one of two brand-new pairs of glasses delivered during a follow-up visit.Catalina, a follow-up patient originally from Cusco, poses with one of two brand-new pairs of glasses delivered during a follow-up visit.

One of the high school volunteers climbs sand dunes during the day trip to Ica.One of the high school volunteers climbs sand dunes during the day trip to Ica.

A group of friends chat during clinic while their parents are attended to by MEDLIFE doctors.A group of friends chat during clinic while their parents are attended to by MEDLIFE doctors.

A little boy gives his full attention during a community education session on women's health.A little boy gives his full attention during a community education session on women’s health.

Community members from 15C work on decorating the newly completed staircase before inauguration.Community members from 15C work on decorating the newly completed staircase before inauguration.

Aidan Wells is the co-president of MEDLIFE at the University of Georgia and the 2017 summer communications intern. 

Archives

Hear it From MEDLIFErs

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.