Peru Health & Medical - Hogar Clinica San Juan de Dios

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year round; monthly departures

Description: Hogar Clinica San Juan de Dios is a rehabilitation clinic for kids with mental and physical dishabilities, although there are not enough personnel to take care of the children. The Clinic receives no government funding.

About 95% of the children that come to the clinic are from extremely poor families. Handicapped children are often considered a punishment and at times are not cared for at all. The clinic offers a parent program to teach the parents how to properly care for their child. The parent in the program lives on the premises for the last 3 weeks of their child's stay and is taught how to care for their child.

In exchange for participation in the program, each parent assists in duties at the clinic, such as laundry, cooking, or cleaning. Although treatment is normally free, a symbolic fee is often paid, such as a bag or rice or potatoes.

Highlights: Volunteers will participate in playing and feeding the children, giving them as much attention as possible. Lately volunteers have been organizing fun activities for the children in order to stimulate creativity and necessary skills. There is also the possibility to work as a class assistant as well in the special education section, which is in the same building.

Qualifications: Volunteers should be patient, have an affectionate disposition and an open mind. They must be able to work independently.

Cost in US$: $2775 for 8 weeks; $165 for each additional week

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range: 18+

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

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded: 1998