A group of ISU students is joining with 40 universities across America — including Harvard and Stanford — to bring aid to Latin American countries facing poverty.

This group of students is raising money for Medlife, a non-profit organization that seeks to bring medicine, education and community development to poverty stricken nations.

This entirely student-led organization is raising money for impoverished people in Peru, Ecuador and Panama by selling handmade scarves in the Memorial Union.

Cecile Mercado, junior in animal ecology and treasurer of the ISU Medlife chapter, said the group hopes to send several pre-med students to Peru and Ecuador this summer to join other Medlife chapters in providing hands on care to people in need.

“We will support doctors and teachers, and aid in development projects in the community,” Mercado said. “The whole purpose is to bring quality care to the poor.”

While most members of the Medlife group are biochemistry and pre-professional medicine majors, Mercado said all majors are welcome.

“The best way to help is by joining ISU Medlife and planning fundraiser activities with us,” she said. “We want to have as many members as possible.”