Testimonials

“This was the best experience of my professional & educational career.” Priya spent 7 weeks in Peru evaluating our maternal & child health program Lady Lunes as a part of Yale’s Health Equity Fellowship. – Summer 2023

I could not be more grateful to Hands On Peru for providing me with one of the most amazing and eye opening experiences of my entire life. It was so enlightening to both witness and provide healthcare in a completely new light. Additionally, the staff were extremely informative and enthusiastic which made me feel comfortable and excited to provide care, even in such an unfamiliar environment. My favorite part of this experience was undoubtedly the people I met, so many meaningful connections were made and it was heartwarming to see and hear how grateful the patients were to have us there. While my time in Peru was short, I feel the impact this trip had on me was astronomical, and I hope that my efforts left their own mark on Perú in some way. I highly recommend this trip to anyone, even if you aren’t pursuing a career in the health field, because this trip provides you with an authentic experience of Peru and allows you to give back in such a unique way. I will forever cherish the knowledge I gained and the connections I made throughout this trip. Perú, tienes mi corazón!

This Spring Break some of my friends and I went to Peru to participate in activities with the Hands in Peru organization. We were able to receive classes from their organization during some evenings as well as participate in public health campaigns during the day in which we both educated and provided hands on care to those in need. We also got to hang out at the clinic and see the classes they provide to the public while hanging out with the kiddos. We had some free time as well where we got to take a surfing class (highly recommend if you go) as well as a tour of some important historical sites in their culture. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend checking out Hands on Peru and learning more about their mission!

Hands on Peru was one of the greatest, most well-informed, and the most eye-opening experiences I could have ever had. We worked with kids and families who don’t have access to a stable healthcare system. This trip was filled with so many “Ooo’s, and Aahh’s” that you didn’t even notice how much of a difference you were making. These kids were all filled with so much energy and happiness. Since the healthcare laws are very allowing in Peru, we learned to take vitals and learned to give vaccines and apply them to patients (don’t worry, these classes will make sure you know what you are doing). I came into Peru not knowing if I really wanted to go into medicine but the exposure I had in Peru solidified my path into medical school. Aside from watching a live birth and taking blood pressure, the atmosphere outside of healthcare was incredible. There were so many things to do in Trujillo: we went surfing, ate ceviche, went to a nightclub on the beach (found out that it wasn’t really my thing), and had a festive Christmas dinner. The HOP staff were so genial and humble that they took us in like we were all family. Lastly, I recommend HOP to anyone that wants to help patients outside their country, know if medical or dental school is for them, or have a great time in Peru while doing great things in Peru.

As a person, I have always felt called to work with Latin-American communities and have loved immersing myself in different cultures and exploring the world. Aside from that, I have always had a passion for the medical field. Being in Peru for 11 weeks gave me an opportunity to learn such amazing things. First of all, the community of Villa Los Angeles and the rest of the communities we served were amazing to work with. Working with the kids and the mothers was my favorite part. Although at times the other volunteers and I would be tired, we were always excited to see the kids and play with them. Secondly, the host family we stayed with was so kind and loving. Paqui became like a second mother to the other volunteers and me that lived with her. Just being able to live in the Peruvian culture and immerse myself into it. Lastly, the amazing relationships we fostered with the HOP staff was nice because we learned how to work with all different types of people and we got to hear some amazing stories from people who feel called to do this as a living.

Being a part of HOP was undoubtedly the most valuable experience I have had thus far as I move forward with my education and journey on the pre-med track. To be able to fully immerse myself in a culture and appreciate the healthcare system through the lens of public health was a truly incredible opportunity. Simply interacting with the community was by far my favorite part of the trip. I was humbled by their appreciation for the little things in life–no matter the circumstances or environment in which they lived, they were kind, selfless, and thankful for everything they did have. Getting to know and interact with the children was the moment I most looked forward to every day, and having to leave them and the organization at the end of the trip was way harder than I ever could have imagined.

The medical experiences that I had during the trip were also invaluable, and I know they will continue to help me both now and as a healthcare professional in the future. Not only were they opportunities to learn and grow as a pre-med student, but they also proved to me that I am excited to be in the medical field in the future. There are two specific experiences I had while in Peru that have truly resonated with me. First, I was able to see a live birth, which was absolutely incredible. Being able to witness a new life starting and learning exactly what was happening was interesting, exciting, and beautiful, and it left me feeling inspired. The other experience that I truly learned from is when we went to the highlands for a campaign. That day, I had the responsibility of doing hemoglobin tests on all of the children. Seeing how many of them were anemic was really difficult, but to be able to help them, even in the smallest of ways, is a feeling I still haven’t forgotten. At the end, I was able to explain to a woman and her two sons what being anemic even meant. I explained everything from what hemoglobin is to how oxygen has to travel through the blood and brain, which pushed me out of my comfort zone both linguistically and medically. I left feeling helpless because the situation felt too big to fix, but also proud that I could help even one family. They were grateful for the few moments I spent with them, and while they may not remember me, I know that that moment is something I will never forget.