Summary 

VIDAWASI Peru is the first child-health citadel of Latin America, located in the beautiful Sacred Valley of Incas in Urubamba, Cusco, Peru. VIDAWASI is a non-profit organization committed to restoring life expectancy for thousands of children and their families from vulnerable and remote areas of Southern Peru who urgently require specialized pediatric services and support in the fight against childhood cancer. Its mission is to decentralize child health services with high-quality standards for the most underserved populations in the country. 

Over the past two years, Duke has partnered with VIDAWASI through collaborative student research projects and academic programs. Previous and ongoing student research projects include studies on social determinants of health (SDOHs) related to teenage pregnancy; knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV, HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer among school-aged youth, mental health screening in high-school students, as well as broader community health initiatives. 

Students will be based at VIDAWASI, working closely with VIDAWASI staff, local health professionals, educators, and community leaders. Activities may include fieldwork, interviews, data collection and analysis, participation in health promotion campaigns, and collaboration with media teams. Spanish proficiency is required to facilitate deeper engagement with local communities. 

Project Description 

This SRT site offers Duke students the opportunity to explore adolescent health through interdisciplinary, community-based research in collaboration with VIDAWASI’s clinical, educational, and outreach teams. The team will primarily work on HPV and teen pregnancy research and health education initiatives, with the possibility of expanding into mental health screening efforts.   

As a new SRT site, the team may also help identify future opportunities for engagement and collaboration with VIDAWASI to support the site’s continued growth.  

Selection Criteria 

Ideal candidates for the Vidawasi SRT site should demonstrate:  

• A strong interest in global health, pediatric care, community health, or health communication 
• Prior coursework or experience in public health, anthropology, global health research, or Latin American studies 
• Openness to diverse cultures and respectful collaboration across backgrounds 
• Professionalism and cultural sensitivity in community and clinical settings 
• Spanish proficiency (=Required) 
• Experience or coursework in research methods and data analysis 
• Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams 
• Motivation to contribute to ongoing initiatives in health promotion, education, and media outreach 
• Motivation to explore frugal innovation and health policy in rural contexts 
• Commitment to sustainable, locally led health initiatives 

Application Process 

Please see the SRT website for information about how to apply. Any questions regarding the application, interview dates or general project information should be directed to Lysa Mackeen or Emilee Kerr.