Volunteering with Hands On Peru at CESAPU (Centro de Salud Pública) was an unforgettable experience that deeply enriched my understanding of global health. Over the course of the week, I had the chance to shadow physiotherapy and ultrasound sessions, assist with triage, run a session for mothers, and teach English to children in the community. Additionally, Katie organised placements at the local hospital (EsSalud) which gave me a greater insight into Peruvian healthcare.

HOP provides truly invaluable support—offering not only medical care but also education and empowerment. CESAPU is a centre that prioritises both immediate health needs and long-term community development. This experience gave me a greater appreciation for the importance of global health initiatives and the impact of grassroots efforts. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to contribute and to learn from such a passionate and dedicated team.

“My week volunteering at the health clinic in Peru was both memorable and eye-opening. From the very beginning, the clinic staff made me feel incredibly welcome, creating an environment where I could learn, contribute, and feel part of the community. What stood out most was seeing the tangible impact that access to healthcare has on people’s lives. The clinic adopts a truly holistic approach, offering not only physical and psychological support but also community-based activities that are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of local families.

During my time there, I assisted with basic medical triage and took part in community initiatives, including running English classes for children, leading games sessions for mothers, and observing a health and nutrition class. I also had the opportunity to visit the local hospital and shadow doctors, which gave me a valuable insight into the broader healthcare system. Meeting and working with the children and mothers was a highlight—I learned so much from them, and their warmth and resilience left a lasting impression on me.

Outside the clinic, Katie ensured our week in Huanchaco was just as meaningful. She introduced us to local people, experiences, and activities, while always making us feel safe, supported, and at home. The compassion and care I felt throughout the clinic and community were unlike anything I have experienced before.

I cannot recommend Hands On Peru enough. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had during my medical training, and I would encourage all medical students to consider it. My only regret is that I could not stay longer in such a supportive and inspiring community.”

“One of my greatest highlights was working with the kids at the clinic in the afternoons. They’re such sweet and happy kids and I loved getting to play with them and help them with work. My time spent with the kids was a reminder of how much joy there can be in life even with limited resources.” – Isabella spent 2 months with us in Summer 2024 and hosted sexual & reproductive health courses in local highschools

“As a doula, I have supported many women through labor and birth, but always through a hospital program. Because of this, I’ve never supported women that I’ve known. It was incredible to develop a connection and relationship with Dayra prior to her birth experience. I also loved working with the kids in the clinic; they will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope I can see some of them again one day.” – Savannah spent 2 months as a global health intern with HOP in Summer of 2024.

“I had such an amazing time with HOP! This was my first health-focused volunteer trip and it has definitely made me want to do more like this in the future. I’m so grateful for everything that I learned both related to public health and about Peruvian culture.” – Cecilia participated in our Hands to Care undergraduate program in Summer 2024.

” Working with HOP, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in Peruvian culture and spend intimate time personally engaging with the community of Villa Los Angeles. As someone who is committed to working in underserved black, brown, and Spanish speaking communities around the world, the opportunity to work in this environment confirmed my interest in working with this population. I witnessed firsthand the challenges of working in a low resource setting as well as the resulting health and mental health disparities, which gave me tangible experience in the challenges I hope to confront in my career. Working as a teacher confirmed my interests in wrong with youth as well as positioned me in a role that is adjacent to counseling. As a teacher, you tend to support your students in a variety of manners of informal counseling. This helped me continue to develop counseling skills as well as my abilities to use the Spanish language in an applied environment. My unique service to HOP helped me confirm my interests, gain experience engaging with communities and settings in which I am interested working, and practice skills that I hope to refine in my future as both a counselor and a public health professional. I entered my time at CESAPU as a public health professional in training with goals to apply my skills of health education, intervention adaptation, and implementation in a low resource setting. Now I am leaving my time with HOP and my MPH program with experience and an invaluable skillset that have prepared me approach the field of mental health from health equity focused community level. I plan to combine this with clinical training in mental health counseling so that I can address the multidimensional issue of mental health with an equally interdisciplinary approach.

-Houston Walker, University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Public Health (Summer 2024)

Cesapu is a very special place which offers a safe and nurturing environment to promote and support the health and well being of each and every individual needing assistance. As a volunteer it has been a very humbling experience for me to work alongside such dedicated, passionate and welcoming staff. The community spirit at Cesapu is inspiring. It shouts togetherness, compassion and growth. The people of Villa Los Angeles are respectful with big hearts despite their impoverished conditions. It has been an honour to have met them. I will treasure forever the gift of being part of such a beautiful evolving clinic led by Katie Baric and her wonderful team. – January 2023

“My experience in Peru… really made me realize the power of what we can do for communities living in such devastating areas. While we may not be able to break the cyclical outcomes of multidimensional poverty (at least not in this lifetime), we can really improve communities in ways that I never imagined. I cannot even begin to say enough amazing things about HOP and the mountains you are moving.” – Fall 2022

“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