Hi guys!
It’s been a great start to the semester!
I just wanted to talk a little bit about the amazing Winter break I had. After spending a couple weeks at home, I went on a trip to Lima, Peru with Medlife, a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide medicine, education, and development to low-income families everywhere. It was such an exciting time!
A bunch of USC students went on the trip, and we stayed at a hostel with students from Michigan, Temple, Rowan, and Montreal. Our main task was to set up medical clinics in low-income areas of Lima. We put up tents and processed patients seeking treatment. There were two doctors, an OB/GYN, and a dentist.
Setting up for a clinic!
My friend, Mayur, helping the dentist
Another one of our projects was to build staircases. Many of the communities in Lima are built on steep hills, and it’s difficult for the locals to climb them when they bring food, water, and supplies. So, we spent a part of the week pouring concrete into the stair foundations, painting them, and planting trees. This was honestly the most physically taxing labor I had ever done in my life, and was a true eye opener for how lucky I am to have the life I do!
Posing in front of our finished staircase
On the very last day, we took a tour of Ica, a region in southern Peru. First, we took a relaxing boat ride to see some of the surrounding islands and the native fauna. Then, we went to Huacachina, an oasis in the sand dunes near Ica. We drove around the dunes and got to sandboard! In case you were wondering, that involves essentially surfing on the sand—it was fantastic.
Me and my roommate!
Sandboarding!
Overall, this was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. In just one week, a group of students from all over the United States got together in Lima to help almost 3,000 Peruvians. It was an invaluable opportunity to spend some time in an awesome foreign country, and to solidify my interest in the medical field.
Archana
Ps: I tried to learn how to salsa…it didn’t work so well
