Volunteer in Peru - Global Volunteer Network

Volunteers may choose to work in the following areas:

Childcare:

At childcare placements volunteers assist the children with their homework, organise educational activities and provide the children with love and attention. There are many different childcare placements available in Cusco, including working at orphanages, homes for abused children, daycares for babies, community centres and working with street children at shelters. There is also the possibility to work at a boarding school for deaf children and at a school for children and young adults with Down syndrome. If you have an area which you are particularly interested in please let us know, although it will depend on availability as to which project you will be placed.

Teaching English:

At teaching English placements volunteers assist the full time teacher with speaking, listening, writing, reading, grammar, and vocabulary lessons. Volunteers may also be asked to help with specific learners in terms of their pronunciation and for one-on-one tutoring.

Construction:

At construction projects volunteers assist with construction and/or renovation usually at a childcare project. Construction projects change all the time, but our partner organization is currently helping to build a new orphanage in Oropesa, near Cusco.

Healthcare:

There are two options for this program: the first is to work at a clinic for mentally and physically disabled children. This project does not require any qualification or experience. It is in a clinical setting but volunteers essentially help to look after the children, organizing activities and helping at meal times. There are options at this project to assist in physiotherapy and to shadow a doctor as well. The second option is to work at a clinic for low-income families. This project is for pre-med students (with relevant first aid or experience working in a clinic or hospital), med students or qualified nurses or doctors. Volunteers for these projects require at least basic Spanish as the staff they will work with have limited English.

Conservation/Wildlife:

There are two options for this program. The first is to volunteer at a zoo in Cusco, assisting with cleaning and feeding. This is a small zoo which also houses injured animals. These are taken in and rehabilitated to go back into the wild. The second option is to work at the Manu National Park in the jungle region of Peru in the Sacred Valley. At the jungle project, volunteers may assist in orchid planting, bamboo removal, teaching at the local school, and creating an inventory of species. Please note that for the Jungle project volunteers will complete one week of Spanish lessons in Cusco before heading to Sacred Valley for the remainder of their stay.

Andean Cultural Immersion:

At the Andean project, volunteers live with a host family in the mountains in the Sacred Valley. They assist their family with agriculture and textiles practices. They will also provide some workshops to members of the local community, for example teaching English or reading and writing. Please note that for this program volunteers will complete one week of Spanish lessons in Cusco before heading to their host family in the Sacred Valley for the remainder of their stay.