Working with Poor Families in Peru

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: During this project volunteers will work with poor families of Peru. Working with poor families means that the volunteer considers the families as a whole and stimulates the family to grow, both mentally and economically through morals, values, and workshops. Volunteers will work in an international organization and also go to little villages near Cuzco. It is possible to work in the morning and the afternoons for a minimum period of 3 months. It is important that the when the volunteer starts a project that they continue to work on it for a full week. Volunteers should have the ability to organize and the ability to speak and understand intermediate level of Spanish.

Special Option
Those who wish to stay more than 10 days can volunteer for a week in Cai Cay, a remote village an hour outside of Cuzco. The locals dress in traditional clothing and uphold much of the ancient culture. If you are looking to experience the rural culture of Peru this is a great opportunity. The volunteer work here includes working with the children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. You will be helping the children with their homework, giving them lessons in English, and playing with them. You will also be teaching them to cultivate the ground in a sustainable way. There is a small scale gardening project there to teach that cultivating the ground can be self-sustaining. Volunteers can stay 5 days and return for the weekend to Cuzco.

Highlights: Volunteers will live in Cuzco, the old Incan capital, which is surrounded by the Andes Mountains. The stone buildings left from the Incas are filled with shops displaying beautiful artisan work and a variety of cafes and restaurants. Also, included is a trip to the gorgeous Machu Picchu, the ancient mountain city of the Incas!

Qualifications: Intermediate level of Spanish required.

Cost in US$: 1 week USD 1395

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: United Planet requests five things of you: Flexibility, Courage, Open-mindedness, Tolerance and Compassion. Volunteer and educational travel around the world is often filled with unpredictable surprises, such as transportation delays, local holidays, etc. Cultures vary greatly. Some things may appear shocking and you might feel outside of your comfort zone in some situations. You might also experience disturbing poverty or suffering in certain areas. People, including the local population and fellow Quest participants, might have vastly different religious, ideological, racial, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. In short, you will be challenged and stimulated in ways that you may not be able to currently imagine. If you remember the UP code and maintain flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, tolerance, and compassion, you will build greater bonds with the people around you, attain a rich cultural understanding, and truly experience the ultimate educational adventure of a United Planet Quest, while having lots of fun along the way.

Age Range: All Ages

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

United Planet's Mission Statement: As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded: 2001