At MEDLIFE, we're dedicated to building a global movement that empowers disadvantaged communities in their quest for equality in healthcare, education, and access to a safe home. As a volunteer in the Service Learning Trip (SLT) program in Cusco, Peru, you'll contribute to development projects, participate in educational workshops, and provide free medical care to those in need. Additionally, you'll have the invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and understand other realities.

By signing up for a Service Learning Trip with MEDLIFE, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

Please wait to book your flight until the trip has at least 14 confirmed participants. For updates or questions, please contact your Chapter Manager or email info@medlifemovement.org.

Arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) by midday or earlier. After a brief orientation walk to get your bearings, you can take the afternoon to rest and acclimatize to Cusco’s altitude.

This morning you will participate in a thrilling cultural treasure hunt. Teams will be given a series of tasks that will test your courage, skill, and cultural knowledge as you explore the city. The winning team will receive a prize! After lunch, we will gather for our official welcome meeting to get ourselves prepared for the exciting week ahead.

Today, join a Cusco Reality Tour to explore the area's geography, politics, and social dynamics. Visit different districts and explore the link between poverty and education. In the afternoon, visit the Sounds of the Andes Interpretation Center to learn about traditional instrument-making and Inca heritage sounds. Wrap up the day with an Engaged Education Round Table Discussion before dinner.

Wake up bright and early for your first day of volunteering on a Mobile Clinic! Upon arrival to the community, volunteers will unpack all medical supplies from the bus and meet the health professionals who they will be shadowing that day. After returning to the hostel, we will hold our second Engaged Education Roundtable Discussion, where we will learn about education in Peru. This evening, we will visit Cusco’s Planetarium to learn about astronomy, an important aspect of the Incan worldview.

Help MEDLIFE bring free healthcare to low-income communities with another day of volunteering on a Mobile Clinic. Staffed by local practitioners, our clinics offer basic medical treatment and preventative screenings to low-income families. When the Mobile Clinic comes to an end we will return to Cusco for a tasty treat at a local ice-cream shop. Wind down in the evening with a viewing of an inspiring documentary, Bending the Arc.

This morning we will travel to Secsencalla, a rural community MEDLIFE has been partnering with for many years. Here, we will hold our third Engaged Education Roundtable Dicsussion focusing on our safe housing projects. You’ll then have the chance to connect with community members through a much beloved local activity: Soccer! In the afternoon, we will continue learning about Peruvian culture with a visit to an Incan textile center and experience a traditional offering ceremony to mother earth.

The final day of volunteering will be spent in the Sacred Valley, working on the project. Projects may include constructing a greenhouse, building efficient fuel stoves, renovating homes, and more. After returning to the hotel, we will gather to reflect on all that you’ve experienced this week. You’ll be invited to consider how you can continue making a difference even once you’ve returned home.

Wake up early to catch the best views of the famed Inca fortress of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been astonishing travelers for years. Your historian guide will lead you on a tour of the ruins, visiting the temples, terraces, and all the best spots for photos. For those who’ve reserved in advance, there will be an optional trek to Machu Picchu mountain! After exploring the Citadelle, take another train ride back to the valley and return to Cusco in the evening.

The adventure has come to an end. After breakfast at the hotel, head to the airport for onward travel or your flight home. We wish you safe and happy travels!