Peru: The Road Less Traveled Andean Village Experience

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Looking for a truly "off the beaten path" experience in a culturally rich environment and a community of real needs? You've found it!

Perched high in the mountains, a couple of hours north of Lima, nestles the darling, traditional, secluded village of San Pedro de Casta. The people of San Pedro are "campesinos" or peasants. They make their communal living by farming the terraced land of the surrounding mountains, as their ancestors did for thousands of years before them.

Work Project:

Due to its remote location, the villagers feel their children have limited access and knowledge to choose future life paths. The villagers would like their children to have additional options in life, by offering them some instruction in English, computers (how to send email, to use Word, etc) hospitality skills, first aid etc. Volunteers may help teach children in the village school, help build simple Lorena stoves (which greatly reduces fuel consumption and increases health of the home's inhabitants by reducing smoke), with community projects and repair, and other projects that arise. A set itinerary is created, though there is ample room to pick and choose projects that appeal to you the most.

Food & Lodging:

Volunteers will be lodged in private family homes or in the central village lodge. Running, but not hot water is available. Flushing toilets and electricity are also available. Fresh Andean specialties and lots of fresh vegetables and beans from the surrounding hills will be served.

Leisure Activities:

Hike to fascinating Markawasi (or go up by horse), excursion to nearby fortresses and temples, or the capital city of Lima, Andean cooking lessons in the art of such famous Andean dishes as Pachamanca, spectacular star gazing, medicinal nature hikes, among many activities; though be prepared that this village offers no bright lights and big city night life. Volunteers will feel they are living in the Peru from ages long past.

Arranging Your Airfare:

You will need to arrange to be in Lima by 9:30am on the Saturday your program begins. The program ends at between 7 and 9:00 am the following Saturday and it takes approximately 4 hours to get you back to Lima. The airport is one of the return drops off stops our driver will make. You would not want to arrange a flight that departs any earlier than 3:30pm on the return.

Highlights: Hike to fascinating Markawasi (or go up by horse), excursion to nearby fortresses and temples, or the capital city of Lima, Andean cooking lessons in the art of such famous Andean dishes as Pachamanca, spectacular star gazing, medicinal nature hikes, among many activities; though be prepared that this village offers no bright lights and big city night life. Volunteers will feel they are living in the Peru from ages long past.

Qualifications: no special skills required

Cost in US$: USD 990.00

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 3-85

This Program is open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Globe Aware's Mission Statement: Globe Aware seeks to promote lifelong advocates for a better world and to sustain the world's cultural and natural resources. The organization, together with the local community hosts, develops effective local solutions to global problems in non-religious, non-political, multi-international environments. The aim is to expand and foster cross-cultural peace and understanding between Americans and the rest of the world, to preserve culture and promote sustainability. Globe Aware expeditions provide volunteers the opportunity to live and work side by side with a host community. The hosts provide a safe and interesting setting in which to learn, help, and have fun. The volunteers help to empower the host communities in creating renewable, self-sufficient programs. While Globe Aware's financial assistance benefits the community economically, it is actually the involvement and collaboration between the volunteers and community that is the greatest mutual benefit.

Year Founded: 2001