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Overview
RIOBAMBA
Riobamba, a small city in the Andes mountains of Ecuador, is where it all started. This is the original MEDLIFE home, where Dr. Ellis first was inspired to start the Movement. Though the area is rich in natural beauty, it is one of the poorest provinces in Ecuador and it lacks many basic services. The city of Riobamba is surrounded by many smaller Indigenous villages where realities of everyday life can include malnutrition, lack of healthcare, and no sanitation infrastructure. These challenges can be attributed to a variety of factors, but as the agricultural goods upon which the economy relies continue to decline in value, residents fall deeper into poverty. The arrival of COVID-19 further exacerbated their difficult financial situation, leaving many families with no way to keep food on the table. To make matters worse, recent volcanic eruptions resulted in severe damage to the crops that communities depended on.
Join us on a Service Learning Trip to Riobamba to help families bounce back from the pandemic and learn about global health in the context of Indigenous families in rural Ecuador. You will work hand in hand with the community to improve their living conditions by bringing a Mobile Clinic and Development Project to families in need. Register today!
Highlights of the Trip
- Learn about the challenges faced by low-income communities on a Reality Tour
- Gain experience shadowing healthcare professionals at a Mobile Clinic
- Help bring improved infrastructure to families with a Development Project
- Build bridges across cultures by connecting with community members
Key Pillars
Service: By volunteering on a Mobile Clinic and Development Project, you’ll directly help bring accessible medical care, health education, and a safer home to the marginalized communities you visit.
Environment: Service Learning Trips are created with sustainability in mind. In Riobamba, you may have the opportunity to volunteer on a natural resource management project such as a well or water reservoir.
Education: Learn about the historical, political, and economic factors that have shaped the realities faced by families. Deepen your knowledge of global health by shadowing healthcare professionals.
Life-changing experiences: Through eye-opening experiences and building human connections, a Service Learning Trip will renew your passion for building a world free from the constraints of poverty.
Itinerary In Brief
Day 1
Arrival to Quito and Transfer to Riobamba
Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito where a MEDLIFE representative will be waiting for you. Once all volunteers have arrived, you will be shown to the bus that will transfer you to Riobamba.
Overnight in Riobamba MEDLIFE Hostel
Day 2
Introduction to Riobamba
Today, you will have the chance to visit Guano, a small town that is famous for its ice cream, sweet bread, and museum that features a mummified Franciscan monk from the 16th century. During your tour of Guano, you can also climb to a lookout for a great view!
Overnight in Riobamba MEDLIFE Hostel
Day 3-5
Mobile Clinics and Development Project
From Monday to Wednesday, you will support Mobile Clinics in communities around Riobamba. After unloading supplies, volunteers will report to the Mobile Clinic station that you have been assigned to that morning. As many as 100+ patients may pass through the Mobile Clinic throughout the day!
During the week, you may have the opportunity to assist in the construction of a community Development Project such as wells, school renovations, or bathroom complexes. Development Projects will vary, depending on community needs.
Overnight in Riobamba MEDLIFE Hostel
Day 6
Reality Tour
Today you will experience a full-day Reality Tour to gain a better understanding of the geographical, political, and social realities of the region. With stops in historically significant sites, you’ll learn about Spanish colonization, the influence of Catholicism, agrarian reform, the local economy, and more.
Overnight in Riobamba MEDLIFE Hostel
Day 7
Last Day of Clinics & Projects
After working on either the Development Project or a Mobile Clinic for the first half of the day, all volunteers will then head to the Development Project site for an inauguration celebration with the community.
Overnight in Riobamba MEDLIFE Hostel
Day 8
Continue Exploring!
Explore more of Ecuador by adding an optional Epic Trip to your itinerary. Head to the Galapagos Islands to experience the majestic destination that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Alternatively, go for a day trip to Baños, a remote paradise home to sweeping views, extreme sports, and plenty of local tradition.
MEDLIFE Extensions
If there are no MEDLIFE extensions listed below or if you have already registered for this trip and would like to add MEDLIFE extensions to your campaign, email us at [email protected] with the extension you are interested in. All extensions can be found at Good Life Expeditions but please note they may not be available for this particular trip.