• Peru •

If you are a student or graduate in the field of health, this project could be the right fit for you! It will give you the opportunity to put your skills to good use and discover how the health system works in rural Peru.

As a participant, you will be placed at a health center in a small town or rural community close to Trujillo. Possible responsibilities include: assisting the staff, observing medical procedures, helping nurses and doctors with certain tasks, participating in external visits and community need assessments.

It is an excellent opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the barriers faced by a health system in a low-income setting. Through this practical field experience, you will learn about the reality of health services in rural Peru. Volunteers must have experience in the field of health or be a student.

Language Requirements: Advanced level of Spanish

The Center provides shelter for twelve street children. These children are not orphans, however the majority of the children come from broken homes. The children are driven to street life because of broken homes, drug and alcohol abuse, family violence, sexual abuse and abandonment.

Ultimately, the center helps children regain hope and find a new direction in life. The children make an honest effort to reintegrate into a more structured life that includes a respect for rules and values. Likewise, the center promotes the necessity of attending school and participating in workshops for personal and professional development. Under the supervision of social workers, the volunteers are invited to facilitate and assist the children with their daily activities. Volunteers are also encouraged to accompany the children during their appointments and supervise them during workshops.

Language Requirements: Intermediate-Advance Spanish level

To the North of Peru, a shanty town lies in and around a big garbage dump. These families, often including the children, work on the dump to collect plastic and glass and anything else they can sell for recycling. This is a very difficult and unhealthy environment to work in, but all these families have to raise a little money to live on.

The educational day centre, tries to stimulate these children, firstly, to go to school and secondly to continue learning in order to give them some hope of a better future. This includes practical help with homework as well as providing fun learning activities and skill development projects.

Volunteering here can help enable the poorest kids to have some chance in the future, rather than repeat the cycle of their parents as some of the poorest and most deprived families.

Language Requirements: Intermediate-advanced Spanish

If you have a passion for photography or design then this is the ideal volunteer position for you. Volunteers will be involved in a project that benefits underprivileged teenagers from the small town of Huanchaco in Peru. The local organization has initiated an income-generating project by producing postcards. Local Peruvian teenagers are responsible for taking the photographs for the postcards. The majority of these teenagers live in a shelter for street-kids or they are from impoverished districts in Peru. The organization gives the opportunity for these teenagers to work as photographers, designers or marketing assistants. In compensation, the teenagers receive a fair salary, training, medical insurance and support for future development. In addition, the organization invests 50% of the profits into the education of these teenagers. This project provides an opportunity for the teenagers to learn new skills, acquire valuable experience and discover the beauty in their surroundings.

The volunteer’s responsibilities will depend on the organization’s current needs and the volunteer’s professional background. Possible activities include accompanying the youth on their photography excursions, offering guidance and support, presenting marketing and design workshops and assisting with the distribution of the postcards.

Language Requirements: Intermediate Spanish

In the region La Libertad in Trujillo live 4,500 people with acute visual deficiencies; this is the only special education centre in this area. It caters to people with acute visual deficiencies and autism.

Currently there are 140 children up to the age of 12 and at the primary school level. The center also offers assistance with secondary and university school work for students that have moved on to higher levels. Finally, older students have the opportunity to participate in a unique program offering training in massage therapy, reflexology and beauty treatments. The school also offers multiple workshops including handicrafts, typing and information technology as well as teaching how to carry out domestic tasks to help the students become more independent and self-reliant.

The teachers are extremely dedicated, but very much in need of assistants. There is a wonderful familial atmosphere at the school and it doesn’t take long to become attached to both the staff and students! The job is challenging and patience is definitely a requisite, however, the reward definitely outweighs the challenges!

Language Requirements: Basic Spanish

The kindergarten project is located in a shantytown on the Peruvian Coast. The poverty rate in this area is extremely high and this is the only social project around.  Most of the inhabitants are immigrants who moved to the coast full of hope, leaving behind their roots in the highlands to find a better future. Reality wasn’t that kind and they don’t have any other option but to work in agriculture and construction on a daily basis, getting very little money to survive with.

In this sad picture, education suffers. The parents never completed their own basic education and therefore cannot be fully in charge of the education of their children. In 2010, the kindergarten started off in a little wooden cottage hosting 8 children to develop their basic skills before going to primary school. As their parents are not charged any fees, the group of children is growing. Currently only one teacher and one member of the community are entirely involved. With the help of volunteers, they envision to reach a larger group of needy children. If you want to see the kids flourishing, take off and come here to volunteer!

Language Requirements: Basic Spanish

Although English is part of the state school curriculum, the majority of Peruvian public schools do not have the necessary resources to offer lessons in this subject. In an effort to reduce the gap between education offered in private schools and in underprivileged neighbourhoods, our partner has developed an English teaching program for volunteers in several public schools. We are looking for participants with the following skillset: committed, resourceful, willing to take initiative, responsible and empathetic. Volunteers will prepare lessons, teach, and contribute to the continued development and improvement of the program.

Language Requirements: Advanced English and Basic Spanish. 

This project is designed for volunteers who would like to become involved with a women’s group for at least a 3-month period. The center is in search of volunteers to facilitate workshops focused on accounting, management and marketing. Workshops on women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health education and life-skills are also in demand. A project coordinator position is also available for experienced volunteers who are ready for the commitment.

Language Requirements: Advanced Spanish

In Peru, as in a few other countries, it is socially acceptable to throw garbage on the street, on the beach and in the ocean. An educational project, in partnership with local schools aims to transform behaviour and mobilize youth to take action in protecting the environment. Awareness workshops, beach clean-ups and advocacy initiatives with the government are already in progress. Volunteers interested in supporting this initiative are invited to take part in organizing events and meetings, facilitating workshops and any other activity that will support the success of the project.

Language Requirements: Basic Spanish