Become a Global Actor, Leader or Mentor  |
Spend anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 months
volunteering in Peru, an ancient and wondrous land! We offer
a wide range of volunteer program possibilities and we work
with your requests to find the right one for you! Just tell
us what type of volunteer work you are interested in, and we
will find the best placement available for you at that time.
The majority of projects are located near the capital of Lima,
although there are placements to be found all over the country.
The individual tasks that you will perform vary by the project.
Positions and start dates are limited. To reserve your placement,
click here.
Eligibility:
* At least 18 years old
* Intermediate level of Spanish - We strongly encourage you
to take our intensive language classes before you start your
volunteer placement if you are a beginner.
* Eligible to receive a tourist visa to Peru
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Location:The
majority of projects are in or around Lima
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Length
of program: 2 weeks – 12 months, though
longer programs are always available.
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Start
dates: Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each
month
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What
you get:
Accommodations:
During your Spanish lessons and/or your volunteer
project, you will live with a Peruvian family. You will be
provided with 2 meals a day and an invaluable insight into
the “real” Peru. Please note that your host family will not provide meals on Sundays, as this will be a free day for you to eat out with friends, etc. Some host families will be able
to launder your clothes, but if your family does not have
a washer and dryer in their home, then you should plan
to spend around $3.50 USD per week on laundry. You may live
in a host family by yourself or with a small group of other
volunteers. A handful of volunteer projects offer on site
living instead of homestay accommodations.
Visa Documentation:
Most tourist visas are valid for up to 3
months. If you are interested in a longer program, we will
assist you in applying for a visa extension. We recommend
checking with your local Peruvian consulate for the most up
to date visa information.
Language Classes:
Optional language classes are available in Lima,
prior to your volunteer program. Language classes are a great way
to be introduced to a new country and to improve your Spanish skills.
Classes are held prior to starting your volunteer work and are usually
one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor. Classes are 20 hours
per week (4 hours/day) for an additional USD$400/week and include
homestay accommodations and meals. These classes are highly recommended,
especially if you are not intermediate or have not practiced your
Spanish recently.
Volunteer Projects:
We have volunteer projects throughout Peru. Below is a brief sample
of the kinds of projects and locations we offer. If you are interested
in volunteering in an area you don’t see below, please consult
your Alliance Abroad Group coordinator. We do our best to accommodate
all requests.
Working with Children
Our children's projects aim to help children living in poverty by giving them love, care, and education. As a volunteer in one of these projects, your skills and compassion will be utilized to help these children learn about the opportunities available to them, so that they may eventually become productive members of society. There are several volunteer projects available for those who are interested in education and working with children. Volunteers have the choice of working in an orphanage, childcare center, or a school. The school projects are unique in that one of the schools focuses on education through music and the other is a bilingual school for speakers of Spanish and Quechua.
Health Care
Medical centers in Peru strive to provide health care and health education to their community yet they often suffer from a lack of resources and funds. Volunteers have the chance to gain valuable medical experience, while supporting local doctors and nurses. Health care opportunities exist in hospitals and clinics serving the general community. Placement will depend on medical education and experience. AIDE accepts pre-med and medical students as well as doctors looking to take their medical skills abroad.
Rainforest Conservation
Manu National Park is the largest national park in Peru and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to its topographical range, it has one of highest levels of biodiversity of any park in the world. Volunteers will be assisting with the protection and maintenance of the park as well as working with local organizations to raise consciousness about the importance of conserving the Amazon rainforest.
Depending on their abilities/skills, volunteers may choose work such as opening paths, trail maintenance, organic plantation and cultivation, monitoring and reintroduction of endemic animals, monitoring and inventory of flora (photograph registration), environmental education for native and local children (teaching basic English, art, music, sports, and others), inventory of plants with medicinal qualities, and reforestation.
Women’s Rights
There is a great need in Peru for women to have a comfortable place to gather for support and education. Volunteers have the opportunity to take part in unique projects at a women’s refuge in Cusco. The refuge offers women in the local community access to group activities, a community kitchen, legal and psychological assistance, space to sell their handmade crafts, and information on domestic violence and spousal rights.
Depending on their skills and preferences, volunteers may assist with workshops and activities, fundraising efforts, and may even help create and coordinate new projects for women at the refuge.
Shelter for Teenage Mothers
Many teen mothers abandon their babies due to lack of support, or simply being overwhelmed and under prepared for the experience. The purpose of the shelter is to give the mothers another option by teaching them about childcare and the realities of motherhood. There is also a small workshop where the mothers produce artisan products. The skills they learn in the workshop can help them to find work outside the shelter, and the products created can be sold to raise money for the upkeep and running of the home.
Volunteers may help in caring for the children as well as assisting with educational workshops for the young mothers. This is an ideal placement for early childhood education students or anyone who loves children.
Weaving Cooperative
Weaving is a timeless and vitally important part of Peruvian culture. Volunteers have the chance to get to know the women weavers of a village outside of Cusco. This project provides a great opportunity for people interested in the preservation of indigenous culture and customs.
Teachers’ Assistants
Many of the public schools in Peru lack resources and
struggle to provide adequate education to their children. Volunteers
will teach basic English to your students and possibly train teachers.
Archeology
Volunteers will help with the conservation and
restoration projects that are being developed. You will have
the opportunity to work with archeologists and learn about
the native Peruvian cultures.
*** Please note that specific details such
as exact work hours and the type of work, can only be determined
by expertise, skills, attitude, and Spanish fluency.
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Summary:
* Pre-departure orientation
* Guaranteed Volunteer Placement
* Visa assistance (if needed)
* Travel medical insurance
* Airport pickup
* Transfer to your accommodations
* Arrival orientation
* Accommodations and meals
* Full-time local representative in Peru
* 24/7 personal support
* Certificate of completion (upon request)
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Price:
AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed
in excess of the fair market value of services you receive
from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser.
2 Weeks: USD$ 1,700
Additional Week(s): USD$ 275
Language Classes
Fees
1 week: USD$ 400
2 weeks: USD$ 800
3 weeks: USD$ 1,200
Prices are subject to changes. Prices do
not include airfare, visa fees and personal expenses.
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Any questions?
* Request
more info
* Call our toll free: 1 866 6ABROAD ext. 137
* Chat
with us live
You might also
consider volunteering in: Costa
Rica • Ecuador •
South
Africa • Argentina
• Guatemala
• India
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