Seeds of Hope

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Huaraz

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: We accept volunteers all year round

Description: At Seeds of Hope, we educate the children's parents about the importance of schooling and the long term benefits that this will bring to their family. We mostly work with poor children already in school to avoid them dropping out of the educational system. We do this by providing a supportive environment in which they can obtain help and encouragement with their homework. This is crucial for the children as most come from families where parents have to work long hours to support the family and/or cannot read or write. In both cases they are unable to provide the help needed by their children; support which is essential to ensure that the children remain in education until the point of graduation. We also work with a small number of children who are not currently in school. Our aim here is to bring the children's education up to a standard that allows them to enter school with children their own age, and to continue to support them until they graduate.

Volunteers typically help with the morning and afternoon school sessions. Working alongside a qualified Peruvian teacher, they assist the children with their homework or set tasks for those children who don't go to school or don't have homework. This is usually mathematics, reading, writing or art. On Fridays, volunteers usually play sports with the children. Volunteers are also asked to help with teaching English to the local community during the evenings. This is usually an hour during the evening, Monday to Thursday. All English language students pay a small tuition fee which is used to provide study materials for the Seeds of Hope children. Volunteers receive a free Spanish lesson every day, Monday to Thursday.

Highlights: Cusco is one of South America's biggest tourist attractions, offering a thriving Andean culture, Inca sites and arguably one of the world's most attractive cities. Lodged within a highland valley it offers tourists easy access to world-famous sites such as Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Tourists can walk, bike or horse-ride to famous Inca ruins, buy traditional Andean textiles from local colourful markets or just enjoy soaking up the atmosphere in the numerous bars and cafes.   

Located in the Andes mountains, Huaraz is an ideal centre for trekking, climbing, skiing or mountain biking. It also gives volunteers the chance to experience first-hand the local customs, dress and many festivals. As Peru is a Spanish-speaking country it provides the perfect opportunity to learn or improve your Spanish.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary for volunteers. Anyone with an interest in working with children, a positive outlook and enthusiasm is welcome. A basic level of Spanish is helpful but not essential.

Cost in US$: approx. $400 (1200 peruvian soles per month)

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+ years

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

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Seeds of Hope's Mission Statement: To support all the children who live in extreme poverty in Peru and to provide vocational training for those without economic means.

Year Founded: 2006