Orphanage
Location - Arequipa
Start dates - Every week on a Friday
Duration - 4 - 12 weeks, possible to extend (max. 6 months)
Availability - Spaces available
Cost - From £645 / $1015 - see pricing table below
How will I make a difference?
By volunteering at this project you will be helping make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in Peru, enabling them to have a better start in life. You will also provide much needed assistance to the local carers and staff who have dedicated their time to these projects.
Peru has become famous for its amazing historic sites and stunning landscapes, but unfortunately, even with all of these advantages, it is still a very poor country and the majority of the population has very little opportunity to make a better life for themselves.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Peru orphanage reviews.
Orphanage volunteering in Peru: What will I be doing?
The objective is give the full time workers a break by undertaking domestic chores although there are also chances to get involved with the care of the children and babies, and have some fun with them too. Daily tasks (Monday to Friday and occasional weekends) at this project include:
Volunteers are encouraged to devise and execute their own ‘mini projects’. These are run by volunteers (either individually or as a group) and can involve a wide variety of things. Past projects have included making post cards to sell, painting murals or arranged day trips.
There are generally between 3-8 volunteers at the project at one time.
More about the project
The orphanage in Peru offers care for approximately 20 children under the age of 8 who have been placed there by the government having lost one or both parents, been morally and/or materially abandoned or who have been deemed at social risk by the government.
The orphanage is run by full time Peruvian volunteers who get only food and board for their work there. It works with the government, who sends them children, but no money or resources. The Director places great emphasis on trying to get the children back into their family home when it is safe to do so or, where this is not possible, into an extended family home, with adoption as a last resort.
The children range in age from just a few days to 8 years old but most are under 5, the orphanage caters for both girls and boys.
Though not mandatory, we believe that volunteers will get more out of the experience the more Spanish they can speak so we recommend learning as much as possible beforehand and Spanish lessons are also available while at the project. These cost $8 USD per hour and are arranged on arrival if you are interested.
Location and free time
Volunteers live in Arequipa, famous for its historic and beautiful buildings and architecture it is also surrounded by some of the most spectacular terrain in Peru including the world’s deepest canyons and notably the Colca Canyon.
Arequipa is always a lively city to enjoy and never more so than during the celebrations for the birthday of Arequipa in August when there are many colourful processions with dancers dressed in extravagant costumes. You will be able to explore the city, get to know the place and its people, shop in local markets and experience everyday life in a Peruvian city.
Volunteers normally work 5 days a week with most weekends off so there is plenty of time to explore the area.
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteers stay in a basic but comfortable volunteer apartment, located about 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Arequipa. The house has a fully equipped kitchen and social area. Bedrooms are shared and there are a good number of shared bathrooms. The apartment is located within the same building as an International Spanish School so volunteers and students can socialise downstairs in the garden.
What's included and where your money goes
PoD is run as a non-profit volunteer organisation. Fee levels are set to match costs and any surplus monies are distributed to the projects we work with via the PoD Charity - for more details click here.
Child protection
PoD is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults - please see our Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy.
All volunteers are required to have a criminal records check, which we will arrange with you.
Start dates - Every week on a Friday
Duration - 4 - 12 weeks, possible to extend (max. 6 months)
Availability - Spaces available
Cost - From £645 / $1015 - see pricing table below
How will I make a difference?
By volunteering at this project you will be helping make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in Peru, enabling them to have a better start in life. You will also provide much needed assistance to the local carers and staff who have dedicated their time to these projects.
Peru has become famous for its amazing historic sites and stunning landscapes, but unfortunately, even with all of these advantages, it is still a very poor country and the majority of the population has very little opportunity to make a better life for themselves.
Read what past volunteers have said about this project in our Peru orphanage reviews.
Orphanage volunteering in Peru: What will I be doing?
The objective is give the full time workers a break by undertaking domestic chores although there are also chances to get involved with the care of the children and babies, and have some fun with them too. Daily tasks (Monday to Friday and occasional weekends) at this project include:
- Washing clothes
- Ironing
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Feeding children
- Playing with the children
Volunteers are encouraged to devise and execute their own ‘mini projects’. These are run by volunteers (either individually or as a group) and can involve a wide variety of things. Past projects have included making post cards to sell, painting murals or arranged day trips.
There are generally between 3-8 volunteers at the project at one time.
More about the project
The orphanage in Peru offers care for approximately 20 children under the age of 8 who have been placed there by the government having lost one or both parents, been morally and/or materially abandoned or who have been deemed at social risk by the government.
The orphanage is run by full time Peruvian volunteers who get only food and board for their work there. It works with the government, who sends them children, but no money or resources. The Director places great emphasis on trying to get the children back into their family home when it is safe to do so or, where this is not possible, into an extended family home, with adoption as a last resort.
The children range in age from just a few days to 8 years old but most are under 5, the orphanage caters for both girls and boys.
Though not mandatory, we believe that volunteers will get more out of the experience the more Spanish they can speak so we recommend learning as much as possible beforehand and Spanish lessons are also available while at the project. These cost $8 USD per hour and are arranged on arrival if you are interested.
Location and free time
Volunteers live in Arequipa, famous for its historic and beautiful buildings and architecture it is also surrounded by some of the most spectacular terrain in Peru including the world’s deepest canyons and notably the Colca Canyon.
Arequipa is always a lively city to enjoy and never more so than during the celebrations for the birthday of Arequipa in August when there are many colourful processions with dancers dressed in extravagant costumes. You will be able to explore the city, get to know the place and its people, shop in local markets and experience everyday life in a Peruvian city.
Volunteers normally work 5 days a week with most weekends off so there is plenty of time to explore the area.
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteers stay in a basic but comfortable volunteer apartment, located about 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Arequipa. The house has a fully equipped kitchen and social area. Bedrooms are shared and there are a good number of shared bathrooms. The apartment is located within the same building as an International Spanish School so volunteers and students can socialise downstairs in the garden.
What's included and where your money goes
- A comprehensive information booklet
- Support from your dedicated volunteer manager within the PoD UK team
- Travel advice and assistance
- Being met on arrival in Arequipa, Peru
- An introduction to the volunteer apartment and Arequipa
- Introduction to your project
- Accommodation in the volunteer house (shared rooms)
- Support from the project team
PoD is run as a non-profit volunteer organisation. Fee levels are set to match costs and any surplus monies are distributed to the projects we work with via the PoD Charity - for more details click here.
Child protection
PoD is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults - please see our Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy.
All volunteers are required to have a criminal records check, which we will arrange with you.