Work With Special Needs Children in Peru - Mancora, Peru

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple dates year round

Description: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Want to see more of Peru?

Like a good painting, Peru is a country that rewards a closer look. The more famous attractions of Machu Picchu and Cuzco are well worth a visit but the country didn't stop developing once the Incas disappeared. The cities in which these projects are based both lie on Peru's Pacific coast and are good examples of the charms that lie behind the headline grabbing destinations. The centres we work with offer therapy to children suffering from mental and physical handicaps who haven't previously been given any special care or attention. To help make up for lost time you'll be busy dancing, painting, crafting and playing, and well include our TEFL certification to help you prepare.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"For me the highlight of my trip was the kids I got to work with. Before my trip to Trujillo, I hadn't had the opportunity to work with a large number of special needs kids. I spent my mornings working in the special needs school and fell in love with the kids and staff there. They were the most amazing group of people I have ever had the chance to work with. They really hold a special place in my heart and it was awfully difficult for me to leave them. I also worked at the orphan project in Trujillo and had another amazing experience. The kids there were so full of life! While it was a challenge to be with them some days, other days you couldn't have asked for more fun. There was rarely a dull moment in that place! It was a great feeling to walk into a room of kids who were just as excited for you to be there as you were to play with them!" (Dana Shockman)

The placement is based in the small town of Mancora, which is about an hour away from the Ecuador border on the northern Peru coastline, where it is summer all year round, and surfing is a common sport. It is about 13/14 hours bus ride away from Lima. There are some facilities in the town itself like internet access, pharmacies etc. There are ATM machines for Visa/Mastercard. You will be staying in a family owned guesthouse along with the other volunteers.

Qualifications: Beginner Spanish required. You need to be compassionate, affectionate, patient and you should really enjoy working with children! It would help if you are reasonably independent as this placement is quite isolated, being a good distance from the capital, Lima.

Cost in US$: USD 1535.00 for 4 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

Before you go, we prepare you with:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions and forms
- vaccination and inoculation recommendations
- advice on health, safety and culture shock
- contact details to pass along to those at home

When you arrive, we provide:
- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- survival language lesson
- regularly-inspected accommodation
- well-researched quality placements
- meals or food at your accommodation

At all times, you have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers
- access to our wealth of first-hand knowledge

And more! Call us to speak with a knowledgeable travel advisor and to request a free color catalog.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994