One of the joys of traveling abroad is the opportunities it presents to interact with local people, from the women at the market stalls to the families you encounter in a rural community. But sticking around and opting to live in a community for an extended period can be even more rewarding: imagine being welcomed into a town and spending each day interacting with local people.

Volunteering in Peru allows just that. We’ve put together this guide to volunteering programs in Peru that sets out everything you need to know about finding and organizing projects where you lend a hand.
 

Questions to consider before you volunteer in South America:

How long should you volunteer in Peru?

For many people, volunteering is an add-on to a trip abroad, while for others, it’s the sole purpose of going in the first place. To have the greatest impact, , particularly as it not only allows you to be more effective in the work that you do by granting you the benefit of experience, but it allows you to build relationships with the local community and your fellow volunteers.

What’s more, a longer-term volunteer opportunity in Peru is a recipe for honing your Spanish language skills, and you can find plenty of volunteering options that are combined with Spanish instruction.
 

How much does volunteering cost?

The cost of volunteering can range from free to upwards of USD 1000 per month. Bear in mind that free volunteering in Peru is generally only available through work exchange websites (see at the bottom of this website) that normally have a focus on environmental or hospitality work.

Those charging a large fee normally include accommodation and sometimes even Spanish language lessons, although this very much depends on the volunteering program.
 

How to find volunteer opportunities in Peru

Although there are plenty of international websites that advertise volunteering in Peru, if you’re looking to find small, locally-run programs, you’re better of finding those located directly in Peru, where you won’t have to go through a large company that charges fees for placing you within a volunteering project.
 

1 – Volunteer work in Peru: Local Websites

The following websites are locally-based volunteer projects that charge a fee for programs, but this generally goes towards accommodation and the support of a volunteer coordinator, in addition to some basic training.
 

AMAUTA

�۶���Ƶoffers one month to three-month-long placements in volunteer projects in and around Cusco and the Sacred Valley and is unique in that they include affordable Spanish instruction in advance of volunteering – therefore helping you to feel more prepared for when you start your volunteer placement.

These include:
 

• Social projects: children’s after-school programs, food centers, projects with street children, working in centers for mental or physical rehabilitation
• Educational projects: teaching in play schools, primary and secondary schools
• Medical projects: working as a medical or dental professional in hospitals and clinics
• Cultural projects: teaching art and craft classes in a cultural center, manage marketing and publicity for a local artisanal center, coaching local sports teams and working in conservation or at a shelter for abandoned dogs.

All volunteer programs include airport pickup, accommodation, meals, activities and guiding and start from $950 for the first month with Spanish language instruction included, and $525 per month for the second and third month.
 

Skip Peru

The NGO operates charity work along the Northern Coast of Peru near the city of Trujillo. They operate two distinct types of programs:

• Educational programs: maths and English teachers, library assistants, sports coaches and psychology support workers
• Social welfare programs: youth workers, economic development volunteers, skate park volunteers

Volunteer programs include only accommodation and start from USD 520 per month.
 

Esperanza Verde

Based in a remote part of the Amazon Basin, operates environmental programs for volunteers. These include:

• The Rescue Center: construction work to complete the center, looking after the animals
• Reforestation: mapping of the surrounding area, replanting of native trees

Prices start at USD 499 per month and require a six-week minimum commitment.

2 – Volunteer work in Peru: Directory Websites

Many smaller NGOs and volunteer programs in Peru can also be sourced through directory websites that include direct links to information for getting in contact with the specific project.
 

The NGO List

This website collates information about volunteering in different parts of the world and has detailed information and the contact details of a few dozen Peruvian NGOs and volunteering projects located across many cities and rural parts of Peru. These include:

• Educational projects: In Lima, Huancayo, Arequipa, Piura, Cusco, Trujillo, Huaraz, Cajamarca
• Conservation projects: Iquitos
• Healthcare projects: Huancayo

Time commitments and cost range depending on the organisation.

True Travellers

The website also has a wide selection of small, local volunteer opportunities across Peru. Bear in mind that most of these are a lot less structured than the projects mentioned previous and rarely involve the assistance of a volunteer coordinator. So you are basically on your own here, no one to turn to for assistance of if the project is no what you expected or hoped it to be. If you are an experience traveler looking for some adventure and you speak Spanish, this should not be a big problem.
 

• Community development: Huaraz, Ica, Lima, Piura, Huancayo
• Education: Arequipa, Huancayo
• Conservation: Tambopata, Amazon Basin, Iquitos.

Time commitments and cost range depending on the organisation. You may be required to organize your own accommodation.
 

Volunteerwork in Latin America

The organization offers more organized volunteer placements, offered by organizations that have a volunteer coordinator and take care of your accommodation, pickup and others. There are interesting options in Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and others. The money you pay goes 80% to your accommodation and includes a small administrative fee and a donation for the project where you will be placed.
 

3 – Volunteer in Peru: “Free” volunteering through work exchange websites

For those looking to volunteer for free in Peru, programs are generally limited to environmental projects or work exchanges such as in hostels.
 

Workaway

Volunteering with is free and generally offered in return for food or accommodation (or sometimes both) and time commitments can be as little as one night.

The annual fee to join is USD 38 per person or USD 50 for a couple, which allows you to reach out to hosts and organise volunteering this way. It’s mostly small, informal companies or private people putting up their posts here.
 

HelpX

is very similar to Workaway in that an annual fee (this time USD 23 for two years) is required before you can reach out to a host to begin organizing volunteering. They have marginally fewer projects than the other website.

The post Volunteering in Peru: A Complete Guide to Organizing Volunteer Work appeared first on �۶���Ƶ Blog.

“Volunteering in Peru and learning Spanish at �۶���Ƶin Cusco was a great experience. There are lots of Spanish schools here in Cusco, that’s true. But no Spanish school in Cusco is like AMAUTA!

The whole �۶���ƵTeam, including the teachers, the administrative staff, and the housekeeping, are extremely nice and help you with anything! After six weeks of living with a host family, I moved to the apartments of the school. The rooms in the student residence are very nice and clean. I felt safe and at home. The volunteering was amazing. I felt welcome, and that I could truly do something for the kids. It was very nice.“

This is what Hendrik Schmid from Germany says about this experience and . Hendrik worked at an after-school program on the outskirts of Cusco. We caught up with him to ask about his experience volunteering here with the kids in a poorer district of Cusco.
 

Peruvian Kids

“What I enjoyed most of my volunteer work in Peru, was the contact with the kids. It was great, especially because the kids are so different than Germany. I was so disappointed when I was sick for two weeks of my time here because I missed getting to spend time with the kids.

The Peruvian culture is very different, and these kids are raised differently. They are not as disciplined for example because their parents do not take care of them in the same way most parents do in Germany.

What is something that struck you about your time volunteering with kids in Peru?

Something that was very crazy for me was that I saw that so many kids wore the same clothes every day because they didn´t have any others. That really impressed me. I had never seen from so close, what “not having money to buy something’ actually means and what the impact is on daily life.

What was your favorite activity you did with the kids?

The activity I enjoyed the most was playing outside with the kids because it was a great way for them to be active and burn some energy! I played football many times with the older ones, and on the playground with the younger kids. It was really fun playing with them and seeing how happy they were to be playing with us. But I also enjoyed the English classes and the science experiments we used to do.

Would you recommend volunteering in Cusco with �۶���Ƶto others?

Oh yes, I will recommend it. I learned a lot of Spanish during the first weeks of my stay there in Peru. I participated in the , with maximum six students per group.

Everything was organized very well; there was a lot of support from the �۶���ƵTeam. When I first arrived here, I was welcomed by the volunteer coordinator with a short introduction about how things work here at the school and in Cusco in general. We instantly knew where to go for our first lessons of Spanish and, just to mention something, where to find spoons for the obligatory coca-tea And also when I fell ill, I was taken care of very well.

The best thing about this school is that you immediately meet so many new people. And most of them will become good friends! I was given the opportunity to made friends from the Netherlands, the USA, Germany, Swiss, Belgium, Sweden, Canada, France…etc. And from Peru, of course!

So all in all, I really can recommend this Spanish school in Cusco. I enjoyed being part of the �۶���Ƶ“family”. And if you need any support, know you will get it.

If you are interested in .

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Did you know �۶���Ƶ organizes interesting volunteer placements in Peru for Spanish Students? We think this is a great way to give back to Peruvian society. For the volunteers, working in Peru, Cusco, gives them the opportunity to meet the local Peruvian people and to have an extraordinary living and working experience while improving their Spanish abilities. �۶���Ƶselects the projects that we work with carefully. Combine this with all you will experience during your travels in Peru, and you will easily understand why Volunteering in Peru is a once in a lifetime experience!

In this blog, we happily introduce you to Amandine. As many others, Amandine choose �۶���Ƶ for their Spanish-language experience and for volunteering in Peru, thanks to our over 20 years of experience working with volunteer projects in Cusco, Peru. If you’d like to know what it is like to be a volunteer in Peru, in Cusco, read about the work our Spanish student Amandine did volunteering in Cusco!
 

Meet Amandine!

Amandine is originally from the city of Lyon in France, but has been living and working as a teacher in Hong Kong for several years. Right after her Spanish classes in Cusco, Amandine volunteered in a shelter for children in the Sacred Valley.

Please describe your daily activities at the project

During my volunteering in Cusco, there was a special situation: a teachers’strike. The kids couldn’t go to school! Because of that, I helped out a lot with the children´s chores for much of the day, including cleaning the home with the girls or going to work on the farm or cut firewood with the boys.

Under normal circumstances, the children are at school until 2:30 p.m. if they are in primary school, or 4:30 p.m. if they are in secondary school. I’ve heard from former volunteers, that usually goes for a hike, read or help to cook lunch while the kids are in school and then will play with the kids, organize activities and help with their homework when they return. There is a nice outdoor area where you can spend time with the kids.

Bringing down logs from the chakra. These kids are tough!

What struck you most while volunteering in Peru?

The social roles are quite rigid here at the Peruvian countryside: boys do the physical labor and girls do the domestic work. But that did not necessarily surprise me too much. One of the most amazing things was to see just how tough and self-sufficient these children are!

They work over 80 percent of the day (including school time) and some of the work is extremely difficult. On Saturdays, their free day, they still will clean or travel to the “chakra” or farm to tend the fields or to cut giant logs and carry them down the hill!

The kids are also extremely sweet, and although guarded due to what has happened to them throughout their life, they will eventually open up and be the sweetest kids you will ever meet.

Although I feel like I gave a lot to the kids through my volunteer work, I feel like they gave me much more. They have so much wisdom to impart at such a young age and, if you´re willing to take the time with them, they will happily teach you.

The young girls can basically cut vegetables and cook like a Michelin star chef and the boys are full-blown farmers at their tender age as well. One of the phrases that I will always remember from my time there is “me quedo admirada” or “I am amazed!”

Probably better than the view at your local laundromat

What kind of cultural shock did you experience?

I was more shocked by how capable the kids were. But one other thing that might surprise future volunteers is the lack of hygiene that is exhibited at the project and in Peru in general. The kids do not take showers every day and, if they do, they are quite brief. This all makes sense because they are bound to get dirty right away so it does not make much sense.

The young girls cut vegetables and cook like a Michelin star

It is also not common to wash up before you eat. But, the opportunity to do so is always there for the volunteers or anyone else. As I said before, these kids are tough so a little bacteria probably doesn´t hurt them!

Hanging out before dinner

How has this volunteer experience in Peru changed you?

This might seem a bit cheesy, but, I never knew how I could grow to love someone so much so fast. After days, I was already smitten with these kids and felt so strongly about them. I was never attempting to replace their parents, and I would never try to, but I wanted them to know I cared about them as a friend.

I feel like I have no choice now; I have to come back and see these kids again because I love these kids so much now. And I will! To see how a simple kiss goodnight could make all the difference in the world to these kids is amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. They have all been through a lot and probably know more pain than any of us will ever know in our lives. But at the same time they gave me so much happiness and that is the amazing thing.

Well-earned view from the chakra!

What advice do you have for future volunteers?

I would say that you should try to teach them whatever it is that you are passionate about. They are very eager to learn, even if they might seem uninterested at times (this is just because they are shy). So if you are passionate about something then they will be happy to learn.

I was happy to read to them and teach English and this was definitely fulfilling for both myself and for them. I know one previous volunteer loved to cook so she taught them how to make pizza which they really enjoyed. They also love games! So whatever games you know and can teach they will eat those up as well.

They deserve all the help and love!

Give back to these kids!

More importantly, it is crucial that you realize that the kids have been through a lot in their lives. As a result are hesitant to open up to you right away. Especially the first couple of days, they might not smile too much or be very expressive, but that is because they have been let down before and are therefore protecting themselves.

Eventually, this will all change and they will grow very fond of you. You should also never ask if you can help out in any way because they will always say no! It is a cultural thing. You should just be assertive and jump in!

I believe that anyone who wants to Volunteer in Peru could get lot out of this experience, but it is crucial that, above all, you give back to these kids. You should not be just another person passing through in their lives. They deserve all the help and love they can get, so you should do your best to improve their lives.

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Did you know �۶���Ƶ in Cusco organizes interesting opportunities for those who want to volunteer in Peru, especially for our Spanish Students? We think this is an excellent way to give back to Peruvian society and our volunteer coordinator selects the projects we work with carefully.

For the volunteers, being a Volunteer in Peru, Cusco, gives the opportunity to meet the local Peruvian people and to have an extraordinary living and working experience while speaking Spanish. Combine this with all you will learn and see during your travels in Peru, and you will easily understand why Volunteering in Peru is a once in a lifetime experience.

20 years of Experience: Volunteer in Peru

Many people choose �۶���Ƶ for Spanish Immersion Programs and , thanks to our over 20 years experience working with volunteer projects in Cusco.

Do you want to know what it is like to be a volunteer in Peru, in Cusco? Read about the work our volunteer Julius did while in Cusco! Julius is from Croatia originally, but has been living and working and the Czech Republic for many years. Right after his , Julius volunteered at a local primary school in Cusco in the morning and an after-school program in the afternoon for around 2 and a half months.

Julius with the kids of sixth grade, the grade he worked with at the school

Julius, can you describe the daily activities you did at the school?

Usually, I helped out in the math class, as I feel confident in this area. Sometimes I even taught my own classes when teachers were absent. I also assisted in the computer lab, as IT is my primary occupation.

What struck you the most during your time volunteering in Peru?

When I came first time to the school, I was struck by the condition in which they work—and not only students but the teachers as well. And they do everything possible to give the students the best education they can, given the conditions. Now I know that it is a very hard job for all of them.

How was the school system in Peru different than the school system back in the Czech Republic?

Well, I think that the intention to give to the students the best education possible is the same. The only difference is the conditions in which the children live, and the teachers work. I think our students and teachers should come and try to study and work here in Peru and see the differences.

The two twins, at home with their mother with their new study space. (Photo: Julius Valka).

Do you have a favorite memory of your time volunteering in Peru? If so, what is it?

At one point during my 2 and half months in Cusco, I got sick and couldn’t come to class. I didn´t expect they had missed me too much. But on the day when I returned to class, the children ran to me and were asking me why I had not come and telling me that they had missed me and gave me lots of spontaneous hugs. It was very emotional for me.

I also became really good friends with the sixth-grade teachers because I spent so much time with them. I have good memories of our time together.

Tell me more about the special project you are working on concerning the two twins?

After one or two weeks of volunteering in Cusco, I noticed that there were some students who worked really hard and were always prepared for class. I noticed two students in particular, who turned out to be twins. I discussed the twins with some of the teachers. They told me that these brothers were not only excellent in the math classes, but in the other classes as well. They told me the story of their life and conditions in which they live. So, I decided to see how the twins lived for myself and believe me when I saw their living conditions, I could not speak.

But even though they lived this way, they still were some of the best students in the sixth grade. A thought ran in my mind – to help them in their studies in the form of the textbooks and prepare the conditions in their home to furnish them with the basic things they would need for studying. So I went ahead and bought them each a desk, chair, and lamp so they would not have to continue doing their homework and studying on their beds.

Julius with the twins at their school

With the help of the teachers, I would also like help the twins prepare for the entrance examination for COAR (Colegio de Alto Rendimiento), a prestigious national school where they could get the best education to be prepared for university.

But the next step is preparing the project to help others too. And not only at this school. I got to know some people who know where the help would be needed, and so we can also help other gifted students start a better life, by giving them access to better education.

Describe the daily activities you did at your second project, the after-school program located in the outskirts of Cusco.

This is very organized project. My daily activities were quite straightforward. Each day, the program has a set activity, which the volunteers help prepare on each Tuesday for the current week – playing with the children, English classes, and creative workshops, etc. However, lots of times, I still needed to improvise fun activities for the kids in their free time.

What struck you the most during your time volunteering here?

Well, this volunteer project services children from the outskirts of Cusco. They come from poor families, and it was very hard in the first days to understand their mentality for me as a “gringo.” But I think that after a couple of days, we started to understand each other more, and we had a really nice time together.

One of the participants giving Julius well wishes at his goodbye party

Do you have a favorite memory? If so, what is it?

The kids loved their cooking days, and as I also like to cook, I was happy to help them prepare their tacos, muffins, etc. I really liked these days.

Tell me more about the project you are thinking of coordinating, concerning the donation of clothes?

When I talked to my friends in the Czech Republic, they asked me if they could donate some clothes for the kids. So I spoke to the local coordinator of the project, about how we could coordinate a clothing donation. However, we are still in the preliminary planning stages of this project.

Julius with the children and the project coordinators

On behalf of the �۶���Ƶ, and the two volunteer projects, we want to say “thank you” to Julius for all of his hard work and dedication while volunteering in Peru!

Do you want to know more about Volunteering in Peru?

or

here.

Or read our Complete Guide to Volunteering in Peru.

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Volunteering is an incredible way to connect with the heart of local communities, while giving support to very vital aspects of everyday life, like social work, education, healthcare, animal conservation, and stimulating local economic growth. It is important to recognize the important aspects of this work. Without volunteers, some of these projects wouldn´t be able to exist. As a volunteer in Peru, you provide such a valuable service for those who cannot afford to pay others for their time.

At �۶���Ƶ in Cusco, another very important aspect of volunteering that you might not realize is the donation each project receives from �۶���Ƶfor the time you spend at your project. This donation goes to critical things the organizations need, such as food, clothing, and other materials.

Recently, we completed a donation to one of our projects. This project for (street) kids is fun by the police force in Cusco. The project focuses on providing a space for many of the children who sell products on the streets in order to support themselves and their families. The kids come spend the afternoons at Colibrí to complete their homework, eat a nutritious snack, and most importantly, just be kids for a while.

As the kids go back to school in Peru in March, after the summer vacation, our donation went towards school supplies for the kids. With the volunteer fees from our volunteers 2016, �۶���Ƶ was able to buy pens, pencil sharpeners, notebooks, erasers, and backpacks for the 48 kids that regularily come to this project.

Together with the director, our volunteer coordinator in Cusco put together backpacks stuffed with the aforementioned supplies for each kid, which we presented to the kids at a Back to School party.

The Back to School celebration in this volunteer project in Cusco kicked off with some dancing and tasty treats. The kids had the opportunity to read some poetry and sing before they were presented with their donation. One by one, each kid came up to receive their backpack of school supplies. The event finished with a cake, and of course, a �辱ñ���ٲ�.

Here at �۶���Ƶ we want to give a sincere thank you to all of our volunteers who gave their time this volunteer project in Cusco in 2016. It was your contribution that made this donation and this event posible. Your support to these kids is truly invaluable!

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Volunteer projects in Cusco can be found all over the country. �۶���Ƶis proud to work closely with over 20 different volunteer projects in the region of Cusco.

Cusco is home to amazing archeological ruins in the world, of which Machu Picchu is the most famous one. One of the projects we work with is an orphanage in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Only committed and engaged volunteers get the opportunity to live and work here, together with the Peruvian staff of the project.

 

Charlotte was one of the selected volunteers that volunteered and lived in this orphanage in Peru, located at approx. 80 kilometers from Cusco, out in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Altogether she spent over a month here. Charlotte, a young girl of Belgium, was the only volunteer at this particular project, so she developed a special bond with the kids there. And, her Spanish improved a ton!

Charlotte, volunteering at a project like this, takes the same serious strength of character, initiative, and independence. We here at �۶���Ƶ in Peru, as well as the children and staff at the orphanage, are so grateful for the time you spent there. Please come back to Peru and visit us again!

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Did you know �۶���Ƶorganizes interesting volunteer placements in Peru for Spanish Students? We think this is a great way to give back to Peruvian society and our volunteer coordinator selects the projects we work with carefully.

For the volunteers, being a Volunteer in Peru, Cusco, gives the opportunity to meet the local Peruvian people and to have an extraordinary living and working experience while speaking Spanish.

Combine this with all you will experience during your travels in Peru, and you will easily understand why Volunteering in Peru is a once in a lifetime experience.

Many people choose �۶���Ƶ for their experience and , thanks to our over 20 years experience working with volunteer projects in Cusco, Peru.

Do you want to know what it is like to be a volunteer in Peru, in Cusco? Read Moira’s story about volunteering in Peru!

Moira is from Germany, and she stayed in Cusco for a total of two months. Right after her , she became a volunteer at a local clinic for two months. We´ve asked her a few questions about her time volunteering in Cusco.
 

1. Where did you do your volunteering and what did you do there?
   I did my volunteering at the Clínica San Juan de Dios, a local clinic for disabled children. I spent time with the kids and helped feed them during meal times.

2. What was your favorite thing about volunteering at the Clinic?
   I enjoyed playing with the kids, and I also loved going outside with them to enjoy the sun and the grass. They liked getting to go outside because they are normally always in the clinic.

3. What was the most challenging thing about volunteering at the Clinic?
   The most challenging thing was the beginning because the health care system is very different here than in Europe. My first days were quite hard because the system that they use here, for example, to feed the children, is more forceful. After a few days, I got used to it, and I understood, but it just took a few days.

4. Do you have a favorite memory from your time volunteering in Cusco?
   For Christmas, we went to an orchestra concert with the kids. They played Christmas music, and the kids were super stimulated. It made them really happy, which was great to see!

5. Is there anything new that you learned or realized while working at the Clinic?
   I studied health care in Germany, so I didn´t learn anything new in that field. However, it was cool to see a different way to do health care and the various methods they use. Overall, my whole experience doing volunteering in Peru was very interesting; I learned a lot about living in a different culture, speaking different languages, meeting new people

6. What do you like about living in Cusco?
   Peru is a great country. The landscape is so beautiful, and I really like that everything is relaxed and flexible. One other aspectI truly like, is, that I´ve gotten to dance a lot, specifically bachata style! I love it!

7. Would you recommend volunteering with AMAUTA? Why?
   Oh yes, I would certainly recommend it because I felt very safe. Even though I didn´t spend too much time at the school, I knew that the school was there and would support me any moment. Spanish classes in Cusco were great too, and I felt I was well prepared for the volunteering. I also want to say that it was nice to have a doctor at the Amauta School; it was so great to be able to speak English when I was ill and to have that resource at the school!

Thanks for being with �۶���Ƶand with the kids at the Clinic, Moira!

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or, elsewhere in Latin America…
 

1. A Different Volunteering Perspective
    
   One of the most difficult realities about volunteering in Latin America – and Peru is no exception – is this: organizations do not often provide structure for their volunteers. This means that volunteers are sometimes required to take more initiative and look for things that need to be done. Although this can be difficult at times, it is a great opportunity to practice taking initiative and to apply your unique ideas to the place you are volunteering.
    
2. The (Spanish) Language Barrier: speaking Spanish
    
   Don´t forget that you will be living and volunteering in Peru among people who don´t speak your native language. They speak Spanish! This means that communication can often be difficult, but not impossible. In fact, volunteering is a great way to practice your Spanish in real situations, rather than in the controlled environment of a classroom. Therefore, don´t be afraid to dive into the language with full force and get lots of practice while you are volunteering!
    

3. Varying Visa Requirements
    
   It is important to be aware of the visa requirements of the country in which you will be volunteering. Argentina, Peru and Chile, for example, issue (tourist) visas upon entry. Brazil, on the other hand, requires tourists to get a visa before they arrive. Your tourist visa for Peru (for most nationalities), will be given for 180 days. After that, you can renew the visa by leaving and re-entering the country. Here you can read more about how to renew your visa border trip from Peru to Bolivia.
   Furthermore, it is essential to know that some countries require tourists to pay a fee upon entry in order to obtain the visa. Visas to some countries are free, which is the case of Peru; whereas others, such as to Bolivia, can cost up to $160 (for US citizens).
    


 

4. Differences in Culture (time, clothing, etc)
    
   When participating in our Spanish and Volunteer program in Peru, It is important to keep in mind that you will be volunteering in a different culture. This means that you might not be accustomed to many of the customs of daily life that you will encounter.
    
   Concept of Time in Peru
   An example of the different culture of Latin America is how this region of the world views time. If you plan to meet someone at 3pm, they might not come until 3:30 or 4pm. Therefore, it´s important to be flexible and understand that the people in Peru think more about personal relationships than sticking to a strict schedule.
    
   Dress code in Peru
   Additionally, be aware that the ´´dress code´´ of Latin America can be different than you are used to. Most men and women only wear pants (no shorts!), and casual clothes aren´t worn very often. Keep this in mind while you are packing for your Latin American adventure.
    
   Toilet paper
   Furthermore, a random thing to note is that the plumbing in Latin America is sensitive. This means that it is not permitted to put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, put it in the trash can next to the toilet. It is also a good idea to carry some extra toilet paper with you, just in case you find yourself in a bathroom where it is not provided (there are many of them).
    


 

5. Learn from other volunteers
    
   Prepare for your trip by reading about other volunteer experiences. For your convenience, we have listed a few volunteer stories here.
    
   • , working in infrastructure and a local school in Cusco
   • as a volunteer
   • Read the story of Lynn, at an after school project
   • and read her tips!

    



 

6. Staying Healthy
    
   Staying healthy while traveling through and living in Peru can be challenging, especially if you haven´t traveled much and your body isn´t used to the foreign bacteria and food. Just make sure that you get the appropriate vaccinations prior to your departure, bring any medicine that you might foresee needing, and take it easy on your first few days. It is also important to be careful to drink bottled water, as it is not safe to drink the tap water in most Latin American countries.
    

With these details in mind, you will be ready for your fun and exciting volunteer adventure in Peru or Argentina, or in any other country of Latin-America!

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Molly’s Volunteer Experience in an orphanage in Cusco (Peru) — Molly Stark is a volunteer in Peru, living at the �۶���ƵSchool residence in the city center of Cusco. She is a participant of the . Molly spends her mornings with the young girls in a girls’ house ”. Every day she takes a 70 centimos bus ride through the scenic town of Cusco to this orphanage near Velazco Astete International Airport where she spends the good part of her day just playing and helping the children with their homework.

The orphanage offers safe refuge for girls coming from impoverished families or even worse: violent homes where they were physically or even sexually abused. Some girls were just abandoned while their parents left in search of a better future for themselves, others parents have passed on already.  There is professional staff to assist and guide the girls; volunteers are welcome here to do extra activities with the girls.

This project houses 42 girls, ages ranging between 5-15 years old. The orphanage has been running for 50 years as of October 24, 2013.  The volunteer coordinator of �۶���Ƶvisits the projects regularly, to talk to the project leaders and to the volunteers and to supervise.

The front yard of the house has a playground which was rebuilt and funded by �۶���Ƶvolunteers two years ago and could use some repairs now. They also have a greenhouse for their vegetables and a chicken coop as well. They all share one big room and most of the girls have bunk beds and they also share the same bathroom as well. Their only private space is a small locker for each girl situated next to their beds.

As we walked in we were greeted by 6-year-old Yobana who instantly wrapped her arms around Molly. While here at the orphanage Molly has learned a lot – although the language barrier can pose a difficulty at times – it doesn’t ever stop her from helping and connecting with the children. Other than the obvious food, shelter and a chance at education these girls benefit “from each other, like a big family the older children help the younger with many tasks” explains Molly.

As I assisted Nicole (age 13) with her English homework and Molly helped Yobana with the alphabet, I asked Molly to recall the best experience as a volunteer here in Cusco she’s had thus far. She stated that the children love to create;art seems to be their own small escape from a harsh reality. It amazed her that just bringing some colored pencils and paper could bring some much light into the eyes of the girls in this orphanage.

We hope you enjoyed reading Molly’s Volunteer Experience in an orphanage in Cusco (Peru).

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Recently we had a great group of students from Canada come to Peru, to take . The students participated during their first week in our , where the all lived together with our Spanish teachers in our beautiful campus school. The group volunteered for two weeks at an orphanage in the Sacred Valley. After that, they returned to Cusco for a week to volunteer at a local school in Cusco, where their help was needed.

Volunteering in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

During the first week and during the afternoons, after Spanish classes, the students greatly helped the orphanage in the Sacred Valley with construction of the home. The building of the orphanage was in desperate need of repair, so the students worked with a contractor to paint the walls and re-do the baseboard of the building.

The students did a thorough job and completed the volunteer project in two weeks. The walls look pristine and the baseboard adds an elegant touch. The orphanage will be forever grateful for the hard work that these students put in to making the home a more comfortable place for the children of Peru.

Spanish homestay and volunteer in Cusco

After two weeks, the students returned to Cusco for one last week of Spanish immersion in Cusco: Spanish classes, homestay with a Peruvian homestay and volunteering a local school. They spent some mornings volunteering as teacher´s assistants in 1st grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade. The volunteers aided the teachers in a variety of ways, ranging from teaching English to the kids of Cusco, to classroom management to individual tutoring.

After lunch with the guest families, they returned to the school to continue helping out the school in other areas: we painted the children´s bathrooms, weeded the garden, cleaned the classrooms, and took care of the plants around the school´s patio. The administration was very appreciative of the dedication that the �۶���Ƶstudents showed to this school throughout the week.

Great Experience!

Starting in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and ending in Cusco, this group of Canadian students dedicated much of their time to volunteering in Peru. One of the students, Alexis said about his time volunteering in Peru: “This Spanish Immersion Program in Peru was a great experience! We got to meet and help a lot of different people through the projects that we did. It was a really great experience living and volunteering in Peru! I enjoyed living with the family in Cusco and my Spanish improved a lot!”

This group of students were volunteer rock stars; they worked with perseverance and dedication in all that they did, and they took initiative to jump into the various projects with zeal.

Thanks, guys, we hope to see you back in Cusco!

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