Week 9

This past week I had a lot of time off and a lot of time in the field and I had the best day I’ve had in Lima.

For one of my days off I decided to go surfing in Miraflores with my friend Alexa! For less than $20 we had one on one surfing lessons and were in the water for over an hour! It was such an amazing time and I got up on my first try!! I had so much fun and will definitely have to go again! After Surfing we went to Barranco, which is just south of Miraflores.

While waiting for our free walking tour we found the best plant shop and checked out tons of street art. When Barranco was pretty run down, a few amazing artists came together and brought Barranco back to life with street art. Artists have competitions to see whose art will be featured throughout the city. Some artists work is on the walls for years while others art is only temporary. My favorite street art was the one that says “Pensar con el Corazón”, which translates to “Think with the heart”. That day was the best day I’ve had in Peru and it ended with a beautiful sunset as well!

Working in the field has to be the best part of my summer MEDLIFE Volunteer Affairs Internship. For the first project day of the week, we visited the staircase we started working on two weeks ago and they were finally finished! They just needed some paint and plants on the sides. We also started working on our ramp for Jorge and we started another staircase in the same community!

For the second project day we finished and inaugurated Jorge’s ramp!! We noticed a problem, created a solution and completed the project. We raised $700 in 7 hours for Jorge’s ramp, roof and new front wall. I am so proud and happy to be part of this summer MEDLIFE Interns and to have worked on this project. It was also really nice to work on a new staircase project since we were working with so many community members and volunteers. It was a big change from the staircase two weeks back when we had a few community members and it was amazing to see so many participating and helping to complete the project.

With the summer coming to a close it has been great to finish Jorge’s ramp and work in the field! Reflecting on the work we have done has been amazing and it empowers me to share these experiences and want to make a bigger difference in these communities in the future. I have two more weeks left in Peru and I am so excited to see what they hold!!

Thanks,

Ian

About Ian
Hometown: Hamilton, NJ
School: University of Vermont
Major: Biology
Minor: Community & International Development

Ian is a mentor for two awesome mentees Keshon and Kiki, a volunteer at the University of Vermont Medical Center on the pediatric floor, the president of MEDVIDA, his local chapter of MEDLIFE, and a member of the UVM Triathlon club. He loves being outdoors hiking, snowboarding, and camping.

Ian first got involved with MEDLIFE at the University of Vermont by joining his local chapter during Freshman year. He went on his first brigade that summer to Cusco, Peru and it changed his life. During his Sophomore year he became Vice President and Brigades Officer for his chapter. That summer he went on my second brigade to Esmeraldas, Ecuador where he first learned about his current internship in Lima, Peru. In his Junior year he became the President of his chapter at UVM and he is now a MEDLIFE Volunteer Affairs Intern.

His goal for this internship is to connect his Biology major and Community and International Development minor through helping with the planning and implementation of sustainable community development projects that help bring medical access to vulnerable communities.

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