Where are Service Learning Trips (SLTs) organized?
Service Learning Trips (SLTs) are designed to connect volunteers with communities in need across various locations. MEDLIFE organizes these impactful experiences in several countries, each offering unique opportunities for hands-on service while learning about global health, education, and development issues. These trips take place in diverse settings, from urban areas to rural communities, offering you a chance to make a meaningful difference in a variety of ways.
Here are the main destinations where you can participate in an SLT:
Peru
- Locations: Lima and Cusco
- Overview: Lima, the capital city, is a bustling metropolis where you can engage with communities in the “pueblos jóvenes” (shantytowns). Cusco offers a deep dive into Incan history while focusing on community development in surrounding rural areas.
- Key Projects: Infrastructure, public health, education, and community services.
Ecuador
- Locations: Riobamba and Tena
- Overview: Riobamba is nestled in the Ecuadorian highlands and offers beautiful, mountainous landscapes. Tena, in the Amazon basin, is rich in biodiversity and home to isolated communities.
- Key Projects: School renovations, sanitation, health clinics, and infrastructure improvement.
Costa Rica
- Locations: San Jose and Tamarindo
- Overview: San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, offering insights into urban poverty and community health needs. Tamarindo, located in the Guanacaste region, is a tourist hub but also a place where local communities face socio-economic challenges.
- Key Projects: Health services, education, and community development.
Tanzania
- Location: Kilimanjaro
- Overview: At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, this region is a prime destination for volunteers interested in health and education outreach, where access to essential services remains limited.
- Key Projects: Home constructions, sanitation projects, and community health clinics.
Guatemala
- Location: Antigua
- Overview: Antigua, known for its colonial charm, is home to communities that struggle with poverty, limited healthcare, and education. Volunteers here have the opportunity to engage in projects that address these systemic challenges.
- Key Projects: School renovations, sanitation projects, and community health clinics.
When do SLTs take place?
SLTs are offered year-round, with specific seasons scheduled for winter, spring, and summer. Dates vary depending on the destination, so it's important to check the schedule for your preferred location.
Key Details
- Duration: Typically one week, depending on the location.
- Cost: Costs vary by destination and are inclusive of accommodations, meals, and project-related activities.
- Projects: Health clinics, school renovations, and infrastructure improvements.
- Requirements: Open to volunteers of all backgrounds, with no prior experience required.