Volunteer Abroad Program - Otra Cosa Volunteer Agency

Peru

All Other Areas in Peru:

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: any time

Description: Otra Cosa Volunteer Agency is a not for profit organization offering a wide variety of affordable, satisfying volunteering opportunities to well motivated volunteers from around the world. We carefully select volunteers with the right skills and experience for appropriate projects and offer them support from arrival to departure, but expect self-reliant volunteers to be capable of taking initiatives and managing their time themselves.

Otra Cosa is based in Huanchaco, Trujillo on the coast of Northern Peru. Many of our projects are local to us, but we now also offer projects in Chiclayo, Moyabamba, Iquitos, Leymabamba, Siches and Nazca.

* Teaching kids English at the Library Project
       - Teaching English to primary school kids from the poorer areas of Huanchaco
* Volunteer language school
       - Teaching at a Volunteer Language School in Huanchaco and Trujillo (currently only the Trujillo school is operating)
* Environmental Education Project
       - Teaching English to Environmental Education Guides in Chiclayo (on the coast),    Moyobamba (in the mountain jungle) or Iquitos (in the Amazonian jungle)
* Teaching English in the mountains
       - Teaching English to eco-tourism guides and/or children in the mountain village of Leymebamba

Working with Children

* Home for ex-street Children
       -working with ex-street children in a home in Huanchaco
* Shanty Town School
       -teaching or helping out in shanty town school run by its population near Trujillo
* ACJ Educational Day Centre
       -teaching underpriviliged kids at a Day Recreational Centre near the landfill site in Trujillo
* Teaching kids English at the Library Project
       -teaching English to poorer kids in local primary schools in Huanchaco
* Fair trade postcard photography project
       -training photography to youngsters for Fair trade postcard project in Huanchaco

Alternative socially responsible projects

* Sicches Organic Farm
       -working on an Organic Coffee and Sugar farm in the mountains of Northern Peru (vacancies but demand seasonal)
* Nazca Lines Project
       -helping create awareness of and educate about the Nazca lines in Nazca
* Un Lugar Surf School
       -helping out in the local surf scene in Huanchaco(peak demand in Peruvian summer)
* Tambo St Jose Environmental & Agricultural Education Centre
       -working at the environmental and agricultural education centre near Trujillo(seasonal vacancies)
* Otra Cosa Volunteer Organization
       -helping us run the Otra Cosa volunteer organization in Huanchaco
* Otra Cosa Vegetarian Restaurant
       -helping out in Otra Cosa Vegetarian Restaurant in Huanchaco - 50% of all the tips go to help our other social projects
* Sustainable Tourism Agency
         -working in a new sustainable tourism agency in Huanchaco (check for available vacancies)

And also .... other socially responsible projects we work with on an ad-hoc basis

* School for Special Needs children
         -helping out or teaching at a school for Special Needs children in Trujillo
* Women's Refuge Centre
         -helping women who have fled their homes in a refuge centre in Trujillo
* Animal Refuge Centre
         -helping care for abandoned and sick animals in Trujillo.
* Music projects
         -teaching music and organising musical activities in Trujillo

Highlights: Travelling can be much more than cruising from one national park to the next archeological site and from one party here to the next beach over there. Otra Cosa Volunteer Agency gives you the opportunity to give your travels a deeper and more rewarding experience by doing voluntary work in Huanchaco, Trujillo and other places mainly in Northern Peru.

Otra Cosa has connected with various local charities and organizations looking for willing and capable volunteers interested in enriching their travels in Peru with working as a volunteer for some time (usually for a minimum of a month). We have contacts with 20 organizations that need volunteers to support their regular work and special projects.

You can find details about the volunteer projects, the volunteers they need and the things they can offer you. As well as information about affordable accommodation, a reasonable price for spanish classes and intercambio program and some general information about living in Huanchaco under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about volunteering with Otra Cosa Volunteer Agency.

Otra Cosa doesn't charge excessive amounts in fees to enthusiastic people just wanting to help out and see Peruvian life behind the tourist facades. We do however have to charge a fee to cover the expenses that make our volunteer agency possible (see current pricelist under Volunteer Agency fees on page 'Cost of living in Peru'.). But you will be able to earn some of this back by making use of the Volunteer Discounts we have developed making your stay in Huanchaco a bit cheaper. Local organizations offer our volunteers attractive discounts on food, good prices for Spanish classes, rental of surfing equipment and affordable family homestay housing. Apart from that, you also get the opportunity to spend the tips that are given in Otra Cosa restaurant, to organize your own activities in the local organization you are working at. You also have the chance to visit the projects of the other volunteers during the volunteer activities and take part in the weekly lunches and occasional excursions we organize.

If you have an idea in mind for activities you would like to organize or are conducting a research for your studies please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to help you with our contacts in Huanchaco and elsewhere in Peru.

So just check out the available jobs, descriptions and requirements and who knows where it will bring you! After you have chosen a project that your like and think you are suited to help you can apply for the position you want, don't hesitate to contact us

Qualifications: No general qualifications are required although some basic Spanish is useful. However, specific qualifications/experience may be required depending on the project. Please e-mail us for details.

*Arrangement of taxi pick-up on arrival in Trujillo (you pay our recommended taxi driver standard local price)

* Introduction to your chosen project - one of us or an experienced volunteer will normally take you there and introduce you on your first day.

* Arrangement of Spanish lessons with local teachers at local costs, if required (see below)

* Arrangement of Intercambio Spanish/English language program for a small local fee, if required (see below)

* Spending tips from the Restaurant for supplementary activities you can propose at your project

* Participation at weekly volunteer lunches (you pay for what you eat), volunteer excursions/activities etc as and when arranged at basic cost.

* Day to day support as and when required (within office hours and in emergency 24 hours/day)

* Placement in housing of your choice as agreed, and introduction to the owner and the house.

* Link to recommended hostel in Lima, who will arrange airport pick-up if required

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

Otra Cosa Volunteer Agency's Mission Statement: To grow and develop a low cost, high quality, full service Volunteer Agency based in Huanchaco; offering volunteers personal development and an affordable, satisfying and rewarding experience with support available from arrival to departure; and offering volunteer organizations a professional service supplying well motivated, carefully selected, well supported volunteers and offering organizations advice on improving their volunteer based operations.