Lupita is a 24 year old nurse from Culver City, California. She recently returned from a two week United Planet Quest to Peru where she volunteered in a hospital clinic. We wanted to share Lupita’s story with you…
Lupita worked in a private clinic in Cusco, Peru, and did not know much about Peru prior to her departure. Fluent in Spanish, she knew 
she wanted to go to a place where her volunteer work would not be hindered by a language barrier.
During her time at the clinic, Lupita would often translate between English and Spanish to the doctors and patients, as well as to the other volunteers. As Lupita described, “Knowing Spanish really helped because I was able to better help patients. It really enabled me to have a leg up.”
Lupita’s day-to-day routine consisted of making rounds with the doctors and nurses, and visiting the different floors of the hospital. She would shadow the staff and learn about the different illnesses and diseases that the patients had. During her last week she had the opportunity to be in the ER, where she prepped patients for surgery, took their blood pressure, and gave injections.
One of Lupita’s most memorable experiences during her time in Peru was witnessing a childbirth. Before going on her Quest with United Planet, Lupita said she felt “stuck at work.” Back in California, Lupita works on a neuroscience ward, but always knew she wanted to work in a delivery ward. “I get such a rush when I witness a delivery. Bringing babies into the world is awesome, so cool and so rewarding,” said Lupita. Lupita also mentioned that they deliver babies in Peru differently than in the US, explaining, “They tend to deliver their babies fast; it happened within 30 minutes. They physically pushed the baby out by pressing on the mom’s tummy.”
Bearing witness to the birth of a child reaffirmed Lupita’s life goal of working in a delivery room. In fact, recently she’s been staying up late at night researching and applying to labor delivery jobs. In speaking with Lupita, it was clear how passionate she is about changing direction within her career.
Lupita’s Quest in Peru, and her experience witnessing a childbirth up close, inspired her to start living her dream. “I definitely want to go on another trip. I’m thinking somewhere completely different. Less urban, somewhere in Africa or South East Asia. That’s my big life goal; to travel the world and deliver babies. This [trip] helped to remotivate me.”
Lupita’s advice to future volunteers? “Come with an open heart and an open mind. The people are really welcoming. Be proactive, take initiative, and ask a lot of questions. The more you put in, the more you get out of it.”
Lupita’s quest helped to reaffirm her career goal of working in a delivery ward. Get inspired while volunteering abroad! For more information about healthcare opportunities in Peru please visit our website!
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
