Peru - MEDLIFE

Why we work in peru

Low-income families lack access to essential services like running water and electricity
In 2022, approximately 9.5% of the Peruvian population was living on less than 3.20 US dollars a day
Most of the population living hand-to-mouth on wages from informal jobs
The poverty rate in Peru was 32.20% in 2022
Communities consist of small shacks, often made of reed mats or plywood, and built into the precarious rocky hillsides
Remote and mountainous regions make healthcare and infrastructure difficult to access.
Limited healthcare facilities and resources in rural areas lead to inadequate medical care

PERU at a glance

Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. It contains a variety of landscapes, from mountains and beaches to deserts and rain forests. Most people live along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, where the capital, Lima, is located.

The world’s largest rain forest, the Amazon, covers nearly half of Peru. Called the selva in Spanish, this huge jungle, which also covers half of Brazil, is home to plants and animals that do not live anywhere else on Earth.

Official Name:
Republic of Peru

Form of Government:
Constitutional Republic

Capital:
Lima

Population:
31,331,228

Official Languages:
Spanish & Quechua

Money:
Peruvian Sol

Area:
496,224 mi²
(1,285,216 km²)

Major Mountain Ranges:
Andes

Major Rivers:
Amazon, Ucayali

MEDLIFE’s impact in PERU

Total patients attended: 337,771

Toothbrushing patients: 88,300

PAP smears: 16,058

Breast exams: 30,033

Requirements To Visit

Peru travel requirements:

A passport with six months validity is required to enter Peru. Before you travel, ensure that your passport is valid and up to date. If you need to renew your passport before traveling, do so as soon as possible.

Peru visa requirements:

Depending on your nationality and location, you may apply for an e-visa to Peru if you wish to visit for a short trip.

Do you need vaccinations to go to Peru?

While no vaccinations are required to enter Peru, it is advisable to get up to date on certain vaccinations like typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies, and COVID-19.

Peru travel restrictions:

It is important to stay up to date on the travel advisories for Peru from your country’s government website.

highlights of service learning trips

Duration of trips:
8 days

Average Cost:
$1,650

Seasons:
Summer: December 21 – March 19, Fall: March 20 – June 20, Winter: June 21 – September 22, Spring: September 23 – December 20

Highlights of destination:
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Plaza Mayor de Cusco, Larco Museum, Magic Water Circuit of the Reserve Park, Huaca Pucllana Site Museum, Nazca Lines.