Volunteer story- Riley Keleher - RN

Riley’s Story: Finding Purpose, Presence, and Shared Humanity in Peru

When Riley signed on for the Ed-Venture to Peru, he expected challenge. What he did not expect was just how deeply the experience would reshape his understanding of healthcare, service, and himself.

Originally from the small town of Freeburg, Illinois, Riley now lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where he works as a registered nurse in high-acuity settings. With more than seven years of experience, he floats through Emergency Departments with BJC’s Central Staffing Office and also works in the Medical ICU at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Nursing was not always a lifelong plan for him, but once he stepped into the profession, it became a calling shaped by people, purpose, and adaptability.

Before Peru, Riley had already dipped his toes into global health. He previously traveled to Ghana, where he shadowed care teams in rural hospitals and clinics focused on HIV/AIDS treatment. That experience planted a seed. When a colleague and friend, Ed Heath, invited him to join an Ed-Venture, Riley said yes. Trust in Ed’s leadership, a love of travel, and a desire to serve all converged.

Expectations Tested, Perspective Expanded

Riley anticipated the trip would be physically and mentally demanding, yet deeply rewarding. That prediction proved accurate, but Peru added layers he could not have imagined.

What struck him most upon arrival was the joy and resilience of the people they served. Many had never experienced basic amenities like air conditioning, yet their lives were marked by gratitude, laughter, and connection. It was a humbling contrast to the abundance and restlessness often seen back home.

The mission challenged Riley to loosen his grip on control and expectations. Days unfolded differently than planned. Resources were limited. Comforts were few. Letting go and learning to “go with the flow” became both a struggle and a gift. In that surrender, the experience grew richer.

Care in the Amazon Jungle

A typical day began early, often with shared breakfast and strong coffee before loading boats and traveling by river to remote villages. Clinics were set up on arrival, with interpreters guiding triage and care. The team worked steadily through the day, paused briefly for lunch, and continued until the last patient was seen. Evenings were quiet, restorative, and intentionally early, saving energy for what the next day would bring.

Providing care in such low-resource settings pushed Riley beyond routine practice. Without the tools and technology of modern hospitals, he relied on creativity, adaptability, and clinical intuition. It was challenging, but it sharpened him as a provider.

One of the most impactful parts of the mission for Riley was working alongside the dental team. Despite intense heat and overwhelming demand, they never slowed, never complained, and never compromised the quality of care. Their dedication and stamina left a lasting impression.

Equally essential were the local staff and interpreters. Their cultural knowledge and communication bridged gaps no medical skill alone could cross. Riley is clear: the mission would not have been possible without them.

Lessons Beyond Medicine

Throughout the trip, Riley found himself reading between the lines. Many patients were hesitant to ask for too much. Recognizing non-verbal cues and unspoken needs became one of the most important skills he practiced. Presence mattered as much as prescriptions.

Culturally, Peru offered endless moments of discovery. Food, daily rhythms, and community life revealed a way of being that was different, slower, and deeply relational. Those differences invited reflection rather than comparison.

The experience also forced a painful but necessary realization. We have far more than we need, yet often remain dissatisfied. Meanwhile, communities with so little radiated contentment and gratitude. That contrast still lingers with Riley, reshaping how he views privilege and purpose.

A Two-Week Transformation

Emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, the trip left its mark.

Working in the remote Peruvian jungle during the first week demanded humility and teamwork in unfamiliar ways. Patients welcomed the team with trust and kindness despite limited access to healthcare. Their resilience reframed Riley’s understanding of suffering and reaffirmed why he entered nursing in the first place.

Mentally, the experience strengthened his ability to stay calm, resourceful, and present in unpredictable environments. He learned to listen more deeply, think critically with fewer tools, and approach care through a culturally sensitive lens. These lessons continue to shape his work back home, especially in underserved settings.

Spiritually, the second week offered space to breathe. Hiking Machu Picchu provided a powerful contrast to the clinical intensity of the jungle. The physical challenge and historical weight of the place allowed reflection, gratitude, and clarity to surface. Together, service and solitude solidified his commitment to compassionate, equitable care.

The Power of Team

For Riley, the EVM team was the heartbeat of the experience. From the beginning, there was a shared sense of purpose that erased titles and roles. Collaboration was not optional. It was survival, and it was beautiful.

In the evenings, after long clinic days, laughter and reflection flowed freely. Bonds were formed in exhaustion and joy, often sealed over shared meals and cold beers. Those moments of simple humanity became some of the most meaningful memories of the trip.

Renewed Purpose

This Ed-Venture stripped away distractions and reminded Riley why he chose healthcare. It was never about systems or perfection. It was about people.

Since returning home, he approaches nursing with greater patience, gratitude, and intention. Burnout loosened its grip. Purpose returned. Compassion, delivered simply and wholeheartedly, proved to be the most powerful medicine of all.

Riley would “absolutely” join another Ed-Venture. For him, Ed-Ventures in Missions creates space not only to serve others, but to grow, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

His advice to future volunteers is simple:
Go with an open heart, flexible expectations, and a willingness to learn. You will give more than you expect, and receive even more in return.

In Riley’s words, this experience was “a powerful reminder that healing happens not just through medicine, but through presence, humility, and shared humanity.”

And that is the heart of the Ed-Venture!