Overview
Think about what government-sponsored support services there are available to the elderly and disabled in your country. In Peru, there is no state support for the elderly. It is estimated that 15% of Peruvians suffer from some form of disability, yet 82% of those disabled have never received rehabilitation services. The Social Welfare programme in Peru works to support these two marginalised groups.
Disabled care – In Peru, as in many other countries, there is a direct relationship between disability and poverty. Disabled people in Peru face discrimination both in education, employment and wider society. Many have limited access to adequate healthcare, let alone the specialist support they need. As a result, Peruvians with disabilities are often trapped into poverty as they simply don’t have the support to help them lead an independent a life as possible.
We send volunteers to public facilities that provide essential support to disabled people under the age of 18. Their level of disability varies from low to severe. The disabilities include autism, blindness, cerebral paralysis, deafness, Downs Syndrome, epilepsy, and other physical challenges. The centres we support have an average of 1 member of staff to 12 children!
Volunteers assist local staff in their daily work. Whether it is feeding a child or taking them to the bathroom, volunteers must be willing to help in any way they can. No specific experience is required for this role but you must possess a genuine desire to help. It is possible for volunteers to focus their time working on specialised rehabilitation sessions but this does require a 4-week minimum time commitment and the applicant must be a trained professional or medical student.
Elderly Care - The Peruvian elderly often find themselves out of luck and with nowhere to go. Abandoned by their families and with no state support, it has become the responsibility of social ventures to provide free care to elders who are no longer able to care for themselves. The homes we support are managed and funded by the Catholic Church. Accommodation, food and medical assistance is provided to all who need it. The nuns who run the homes carry out regular outreach campaigns to identify at-risk elders in need of their support – many who they find sleeping on the streets. The needs of the elders varies dramatically – some are relatively independent whilst others are handicapped or suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Your role at the elderly centre includes helping prepare and serve meals, assisting the elders in getting around, cleaning, organising activities and assisting with therapy sessions. Arguably your most important contribution is the social and emotional support you give to the elders. Many have no visitors, and the over-stretched local staff struggle to give the personal attention that so many desperately crave.
Please outline in your online application if you’d prefer to work at an elder’s home or disabled centre. Applicants for the disabled programme must possess a high-beginner level of Spanish where as those seeking to work with the elderly must speak intermediate Spanish at the very least.
Spanish Lessons
If you are arriving into Peru with little or no Spanish than it is compulsory for you to enroll in our Spanish language classes. Volunteers are encouraged to book at least 20 hours of Spanish lessons as your Spanish proficiency will play a big role in your ability to impact on the projects.
We have two options for Spanish lessons:
1) The first option is the Spanish Immersion Week. This week includes 20 hours of Spanish lessons, accommodation and meals. The Spanish Immersion Week gives you a great chance to build your Spanish and get used to life in Cusco before you start your volunteer work. It is possible to book multiple Spanish Immersion Weeks if you wish to.
2) Alternatively, you could combine Spanish lessons with your volunteer work. In most cases you will volunteer in the morning and take lessons in the afternoon. You can book lessons in blocks of 20 hours.
You can add Spanish lessons onto your volunteer programme during the online application process. Please note that the Spanish Immersion Week will extend your overall programme duration by one week. For example, if you apply for a 4-week programme and the Spanish Immersion Week – then your total time in Peru is 5 weeks. You should arrange to arrive into Peru for the start date outlined for your volunteer programme but factor in the additional week/s when working out your finish date.. You will take part in the Spanish Immersion Week prior to starting your volunteer work.
If you choose option two, and combine Spanish lessons with your volunteer work then length of your volunteer programme remains the same.
All Spanish lessons are on a one-to-one basis and are held at your accommodation. Half the time will be spent learning the theory and the remaining time focuses on practical learning, which often involves getting out into the community!
Arrival airport: Velazco Astete Airport (airport code CUZ)
Volunteer role: Assist with therapy sessions, organise activities, spend time with the children/elders, and support the local staff in their daily duties
Working hours: 08:00 to 13:30 from Monday to Friday
Transport to the project: Walk or take the bus – budget around £2 per day
Requirements: Intermediate Spanish (Elders home), High-Beginner Spanish (Disabled centre), minimum age 18, Criminal Background Check
Disabled care – In Peru, as in many other countries, there is a direct relationship between disability and poverty. Disabled people in Peru face discrimination both in education, employment and wider society. Many have limited access to adequate healthcare, let alone the specialist support they need. As a result, Peruvians with disabilities are often trapped into poverty as they simply don’t have the support to help them lead an independent a life as possible.
We send volunteers to public facilities that provide essential support to disabled people under the age of 18. Their level of disability varies from low to severe. The disabilities include autism, blindness, cerebral paralysis, deafness, Downs Syndrome, epilepsy, and other physical challenges. The centres we support have an average of 1 member of staff to 12 children!
Volunteers assist local staff in their daily work. Whether it is feeding a child or taking them to the bathroom, volunteers must be willing to help in any way they can. No specific experience is required for this role but you must possess a genuine desire to help. It is possible for volunteers to focus their time working on specialised rehabilitation sessions but this does require a 4-week minimum time commitment and the applicant must be a trained professional or medical student.
Elderly Care - The Peruvian elderly often find themselves out of luck and with nowhere to go. Abandoned by their families and with no state support, it has become the responsibility of social ventures to provide free care to elders who are no longer able to care for themselves. The homes we support are managed and funded by the Catholic Church. Accommodation, food and medical assistance is provided to all who need it. The nuns who run the homes carry out regular outreach campaigns to identify at-risk elders in need of their support – many who they find sleeping on the streets. The needs of the elders varies dramatically – some are relatively independent whilst others are handicapped or suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Your role at the elderly centre includes helping prepare and serve meals, assisting the elders in getting around, cleaning, organising activities and assisting with therapy sessions. Arguably your most important contribution is the social and emotional support you give to the elders. Many have no visitors, and the over-stretched local staff struggle to give the personal attention that so many desperately crave.
Please outline in your online application if you’d prefer to work at an elder’s home or disabled centre. Applicants for the disabled programme must possess a high-beginner level of Spanish where as those seeking to work with the elderly must speak intermediate Spanish at the very least.
Spanish Lessons
If you are arriving into Peru with little or no Spanish than it is compulsory for you to enroll in our Spanish language classes. Volunteers are encouraged to book at least 20 hours of Spanish lessons as your Spanish proficiency will play a big role in your ability to impact on the projects.
We have two options for Spanish lessons:
1) The first option is the Spanish Immersion Week. This week includes 20 hours of Spanish lessons, accommodation and meals. The Spanish Immersion Week gives you a great chance to build your Spanish and get used to life in Cusco before you start your volunteer work. It is possible to book multiple Spanish Immersion Weeks if you wish to.
2) Alternatively, you could combine Spanish lessons with your volunteer work. In most cases you will volunteer in the morning and take lessons in the afternoon. You can book lessons in blocks of 20 hours.
You can add Spanish lessons onto your volunteer programme during the online application process. Please note that the Spanish Immersion Week will extend your overall programme duration by one week. For example, if you apply for a 4-week programme and the Spanish Immersion Week – then your total time in Peru is 5 weeks. You should arrange to arrive into Peru for the start date outlined for your volunteer programme but factor in the additional week/s when working out your finish date.. You will take part in the Spanish Immersion Week prior to starting your volunteer work.
If you choose option two, and combine Spanish lessons with your volunteer work then length of your volunteer programme remains the same.
All Spanish lessons are on a one-to-one basis and are held at your accommodation. Half the time will be spent learning the theory and the remaining time focuses on practical learning, which often involves getting out into the community!
Arrival airport: Velazco Astete Airport (airport code CUZ)
Volunteer role: Assist with therapy sessions, organise activities, spend time with the children/elders, and support the local staff in their daily duties
Working hours: 08:00 to 13:30 from Monday to Friday
Transport to the project: Walk or take the bus – budget around £2 per day
Requirements: Intermediate Spanish (Elders home), High-Beginner Spanish (Disabled centre), minimum age 18, Criminal Background Check
Itinerary
Please make sure you arrive into Velazco Astete Airport (CUZ) on Monday.
Day 1 (Monday) Arrival
Welcome to Peru! Whether you’re flying into Cusco or arriving by bus, our team will be waiting for you at your point of a arrival holding a sign.
We will transfer you to our accommodation where you can get settled and meet fellow volunteers. Our local coordinator will show you around the local area and brief you on what we you have in store in the upcoming days.
Day 2 (Tuesday) Orientation
Your orientation kicks off at 9am at our local office in Cusco. The first part of the day will be spent learning about Peru, its culture, safety issues, transport network and travel opportunities. In the afternoon our team will tell you all about your volunteer project so you’re fully prepared to start volunteering the next day. Your orientation will finish off with a Spanish lesson.
* If you are taking part in the Spanish Immersion Week then you will begin your Spanish lessons today.
Day 3-5 (Wednesday-Friday) Volunteering
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! Wednesday is your first day at the placement. A member of our local team will escort you to the project site so you can learn the route for the future. After a full induction, we will work together to develop your work schedule so you are comfortable with your role and understand what is expected of you.
As the week goes on you will begin to find your feet at the project and your role will begin to evolve. It is important that you communicate any issues you may have with our team. We want you to have the best time possible so don’t leave us in the dark!
Day 6 & 7 (Saturday & Sunday) Weekend!
What to do for the weekend? Well, the choices are endless. Whether you want to trek up to Machu Picchu, take a tour of the Sacred Valley or soak up some culture in Cusco – you will not be short of things to do!
Our local team can help you arrange any independent travel you wish to take part in.
The following weeks
Your volunteer week is Monday to Friday. It is important that you remain committed and give it your all. Our local team are never far away so if you need any help they are on-hand!
Last day (Sunday)
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. The Sunday of your final week is your last day in Peru.
Whatever you plan to do next, our coordinators can assist you with transport arrangements.
Day 1 (Monday) Arrival
Welcome to Peru! Whether you’re flying into Cusco or arriving by bus, our team will be waiting for you at your point of a arrival holding a sign.
We will transfer you to our accommodation where you can get settled and meet fellow volunteers. Our local coordinator will show you around the local area and brief you on what we you have in store in the upcoming days.
Day 2 (Tuesday) Orientation
Your orientation kicks off at 9am at our local office in Cusco. The first part of the day will be spent learning about Peru, its culture, safety issues, transport network and travel opportunities. In the afternoon our team will tell you all about your volunteer project so you’re fully prepared to start volunteering the next day. Your orientation will finish off with a Spanish lesson.
* If you are taking part in the Spanish Immersion Week then you will begin your Spanish lessons today.
Day 3-5 (Wednesday-Friday) Volunteering
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! Wednesday is your first day at the placement. A member of our local team will escort you to the project site so you can learn the route for the future. After a full induction, we will work together to develop your work schedule so you are comfortable with your role and understand what is expected of you.
As the week goes on you will begin to find your feet at the project and your role will begin to evolve. It is important that you communicate any issues you may have with our team. We want you to have the best time possible so don’t leave us in the dark!
Day 6 & 7 (Saturday & Sunday) Weekend!
What to do for the weekend? Well, the choices are endless. Whether you want to trek up to Machu Picchu, take a tour of the Sacred Valley or soak up some culture in Cusco – you will not be short of things to do!
Our local team can help you arrange any independent travel you wish to take part in.
The following weeks
Your volunteer week is Monday to Friday. It is important that you remain committed and give it your all. Our local team are never far away so if you need any help they are on-hand!
Last day (Sunday)
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. The Sunday of your final week is your last day in Peru.
Whatever you plan to do next, our coordinators can assist you with transport arrangements.
Accommodation and Meals
During your time in Cusco you will stay at our Volunteer House or with a host family. The Volunteer House accommodation is only available from April to mid-August. Outside of this period volunteers are automatically placed with a host family.
Volunteer House
The Volunteer House is a comfortable property located in a safe urban neighbourhood. The Volunteer House can cater for up to 30 volunteers at any one time, which makes for a real fun and social environment. You will share a room with fellow volunteers, up to 6 per room. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and hot showers. Wi-Fi connection is available and there is a lounge area where volunteers can hang out. There is also a weekly laundry service at no extra cost.
The house is cleaned on a weekly basis. Most of the members of our local team live within walking distance of the Volunteer House and are always on-hand to resolve any difficult situations. All meals are freshly prepared by our in-house cook.
Host family
Living with a host family is great way to improve your Spanish and learn about the Peruvian way of life. All the host families we place our volunteers with, are carefully selected by our local team. Homes are comfortable, clean and safe. Volunteers are usually placed together, with up to 6 volunteers staying with one family. In most cases, you will share a room with another volunteer.
Some homes may have Internet connectivity but the majority do not. Volunteers are welcome to use the Wi-Fi at our local office and there are also plenty of internet cafes in the area (around £0.50 per hour). All homestays have western bathroom facilities and hot showers.
Meals
You are provided with meals from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays you will need to purchase your own food. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Cusco. Ask our local team for recommendations. It is best to dine at the restaurants filled with locals – these are the hidden gems where you can get a 3-course meal for around £2!
Peruvian cuisine is among the most varied and best in the world. Peruvian dishes are diverse and unexpected. The food is rooted in Incan origins, which are still evident today. Potatoes and rice are served with almost every meal. The most common meats are chicken, pork and lamb, all of which were introduced by Spanish explorers and conquerors in the 1500s.
Ceviche (seafood marinated in lemon, aji, garlic and coriander) is a classic Peruvian dish. Other popular culinary delights include ají de Gallina (chicken in a creamy spicy sauce), an African-Peruvian dish called tacu-tacu (refried spicy black bean and rice tortilla) and sweet mazamorra morada, which is a desert made from purple corn. In Cusco and the highlands, you will also find Alpaca meat and guinea pig.
Lunch is often the main meal of the day. Favourite dishes might include aji de gallina, a dish of chicken in a creamy sauce thickened with bread and sometimes ground nuts, or lomo saltado the much-loved chifa dish of stir fried strips of beef with peppers, aji chilli and soy. Soup is another favourite, from light broths to hearty, almost stew-like bowls.
* Please inform us in your application if you have a preference of accommodation type and any dietary requirements. Couples, families and older volunteers will be accommodated to suit their needs.
Volunteer House
The Volunteer House is a comfortable property located in a safe urban neighbourhood. The Volunteer House can cater for up to 30 volunteers at any one time, which makes for a real fun and social environment. You will share a room with fellow volunteers, up to 6 per room. Bathroom facilities include western toilets and hot showers. Wi-Fi connection is available and there is a lounge area where volunteers can hang out. There is also a weekly laundry service at no extra cost.
The house is cleaned on a weekly basis. Most of the members of our local team live within walking distance of the Volunteer House and are always on-hand to resolve any difficult situations. All meals are freshly prepared by our in-house cook.
Host family
Living with a host family is great way to improve your Spanish and learn about the Peruvian way of life. All the host families we place our volunteers with, are carefully selected by our local team. Homes are comfortable, clean and safe. Volunteers are usually placed together, with up to 6 volunteers staying with one family. In most cases, you will share a room with another volunteer.
Some homes may have Internet connectivity but the majority do not. Volunteers are welcome to use the Wi-Fi at our local office and there are also plenty of internet cafes in the area (around £0.50 per hour). All homestays have western bathroom facilities and hot showers.
Meals
You are provided with meals from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays you will need to purchase your own food. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Cusco. Ask our local team for recommendations. It is best to dine at the restaurants filled with locals – these are the hidden gems where you can get a 3-course meal for around £2!
Peruvian cuisine is among the most varied and best in the world. Peruvian dishes are diverse and unexpected. The food is rooted in Incan origins, which are still evident today. Potatoes and rice are served with almost every meal. The most common meats are chicken, pork and lamb, all of which were introduced by Spanish explorers and conquerors in the 1500s.
Ceviche (seafood marinated in lemon, aji, garlic and coriander) is a classic Peruvian dish. Other popular culinary delights include ají de Gallina (chicken in a creamy spicy sauce), an African-Peruvian dish called tacu-tacu (refried spicy black bean and rice tortilla) and sweet mazamorra morada, which is a desert made from purple corn. In Cusco and the highlands, you will also find Alpaca meat and guinea pig.
Lunch is often the main meal of the day. Favourite dishes might include aji de gallina, a dish of chicken in a creamy sauce thickened with bread and sometimes ground nuts, or lomo saltado the much-loved chifa dish of stir fried strips of beef with peppers, aji chilli and soy. Soup is another favourite, from light broths to hearty, almost stew-like bowls.
* Please inform us in your application if you have a preference of accommodation type and any dietary requirements. Couples, families and older volunteers will be accommodated to suit their needs.
Volunteer Fees
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What's Included?
- Accommodation - Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Mon-Sat) - Airport pick up - In-country orientation - 24 hour in-country support Registration Fee: - 24 hour UK based support - Volunteer Handbook - 100% Financial Protection - Regular programme inspection |
What's Not Included?
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Sun) - Flights (£600-£800) - Insurance (£12 per week) - Return airport transfer (£20) - Visa (Free) - Criminal Background Check (£25) |