Volunteers Needed in a Child Center in the North of Peru

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Cajamarca

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: There are an average of about 4-6 international volunteers here each month that live in dorms within the centre. They work daily from 9am to 4 pm, helping the kids with their homework, organizing different activities for them or serving food at lunch and snack times. Volunteers take turns waking up at 8 am to open the door for the cook and preparing breakfast for the morning shift.

Besides the volunteer position, one can apply for an internship (at least 6 months) to work with Incawasi on a special task, such as fundraising or collaborating with the social worker of the organization.

Highlights: Our Specific Objectives

1. Provide educational support according to the children's formal educational curriculum.
2. Offer workshops which build practical skills and knowledge, to complement their formal education.
3. Promote and offer recreational activities that involve the children in their own culture.
4. Develop the children's artistic and creative side, as well as their particular interests
5. Provide a balanced diet in accordance with an approved nutritional program.
6. Coordinate provisional and urgent medical assistance.
7. Improve the children's personal hygiene, so as to consequently improve their health.
8. Offer a healthy, safe environment for the children, a shelter where they can come to temporarily escape from the difficult situations their families live in.
9. Offer psychological assistance to the children promoting better integration into their families and society.
10. Promote family and community cooperation in the integral development of the children.
11. Promote societal values and norms in the children's behaviour.
12. Protect the children's rights through legal consultations with their families.
13. Promote the importance of children's role in society.

Qualifications: We are looking for volunteers who have something to offer! Being a qualified doctor, trainee nurse, psychologist or teacher does not always mean you have the most to give. If you have cared for children before or even if you haven´t and want to start, you are most welcome. Enthusiasm and dedication are the most important aspects in a volunteer.

An intermediate Spanish level is needed to deal with the children, help them with their homework etc. You will improve your Spanish very quickly while working with the children and living in Cajamarca, yet we do require you to have at least a good basic/low intermediate Spanish level before you arrive in Incawasi, so that communication is easy from the start.

Cost in US$: 300

The monthly donation we ask of volunteers is very small in comparison with the amount of daily expenditures. With this money volunteers contribute to helping the association in its day-to-day costs (bills, food, medicines, school material, etc.).

The payment asked for the first 3 months $300/month, while fees for longer stays are to be discussed with the organizers.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers are coming to Incawasi from all walks of life and from different ages. The only important is being enthusiastic about children.

Age Range: 18-99

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

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Incawasi Peru's Mission Statement: Incawasi is a non-profit organization founded in March 2005 by a team of local and foreign volunteers in Cajamarca, Peru. Our aim is to improve and develop the educational, social and nutritional situation of children from disadvantaged areas in the city of Cajamarca with the objective of keeping them in school and off the streets. We currently care for 40 children between 6 and 18 years old.

Year Founded: 2005