Peru Street Children Volunteers

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: First Monday of every month

Description: Teach, play and change the lives of some of Peru's most disadvantaged children.

This is a great opportunity to help in some of the poorest areas of Cusco. The kids and staff are fantastic and full of energy which makes this project great!

There are a number of options open to volunteers depending on individual skills. Activities include helping in the classroom and helping with a variety of occupational activities. Extra help will also be needed to find funding and to market the project (current funding runs out soon). Teaching the children to prepare meals and to clean up afterward is also a priority of the school.

As with many of our social placements, many of the children at the centre have never had a "real" childhood or experienced loving, caring, stable relationships. By playing games with volunteers they can learn to live as a child again and to share and express their emotions. Volunteer's affection towards the children is so important for their self-esteem and personal development.

Volunteers are required to help during the afternoons as the children attend school in the mornings. This is a great chance to make a difference in the lives of children who have had a bad start in life and to help build personalities and skills that will help them later in life.

* Your Typical Itinerary
There is no set itinerary. Your own individual schedule will be drawn up for you when you are at the project. It'll be based upon the school's particular needs and your preferences.

You will normally be required on weekday afternoons, as children attend school each morning. There will be a minimum hour commitment, though any extra time you feel able to give will be greatly appreciated.

Highlights: * Orientation
On your first Monday at the Language school you will have an orientation to help you get settled in and feel comfortable in your new surroundings.
Project Support

Throughout your stay in Cusco you will have the support and guidance of the coordinator. They will be able to provide you with any help or advice you may need during your stay. In addition to the in-country support, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number should you need to contact one of our UK staff at any time.

* Accommodation and Meals
Our volunteer apartment is around five minutes walk from the language school and many volunteer projects. Living here gives volunteers an opportunity to live independently and come and go from the project as they wish.

Volunteers will be allocated shared rooms, or can request a private room for an additional cost, but always share a bathroom, kitchen and living room with other volunteers. Please note that meals are not included during your stay in the apartment. Many volunteers take it in turns to cook meals or simply eat in restaurants. Food is very cheap by Western standards. The bargain hunters amongst volunteers can find a two course meal for as little as 30p in Cusco, with a drink included! You will be given a key for your apartment so you can come and go as you please.

* Free Time
Free time is during the evenings and on the weekends. During this time you can take excursions to other parts of the country, or stay in Cusco to get to know the community more intimately. Our on site coordinator, can organise any tours or excursions (football matches, Machu Picchu and Sacred valley visits, horse riding, trips to indigenous villages etc) for you very cheaply, or you can travel independently with other volunteers at this project and other projects in Cusco.

* Getting There
You will need to arrive in Lima on the Saturday, where you will be met at the airport by one of our drivers. You will stay in Lima for one night from where you'll be taken to the airport to catch your flight to Cusco on the Sunday.

Cost in US$: from 699

Experience Required: no

Age Range: The minimum age for participants is 18 years and there is no maximum age

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement: We are ambitious for our company, our partners and the communities in which we work. We take our responsibilities seriously - understanding that the development of our business impacts directly on our partners, the communities that we visit and work with and that ultimately, our success is their success too.