The opportunity to volunteer with disadvantaged children in an incredible and lively city high in the Andes in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Start dates and durations 2009
| Gap - 11 January, 5 April, 9 September (12 weeks) Mini-Gap - 26 July (4 weeks) Independent placements can start any time (2 weeks +) | | Price - 2009 | Gap £1650, Mini-Gap £995 Independent placements: 2 weeks to 6 months £360 (one off fee). Accommodation £80 per week | | Price - 2008 | Gap £1450, Mini-Gap £1050 Independent placements: 2 weeks £380 - extra weeks £80 (including accommodation) | | Number of volunteers | Normally 2-3 independent volunteers at any one time Gap groups are normally 4 -12 people |
We work with a number of locations in Cusco and the surrounding villages. When you arrive in Cusco we take you to visit the places that have a need for volunteers at the time and then you decide which placement (or placements) suit you best. Helen who manages our placements in Cusco provide support throughout your time and ensures that all of our volunteers are placed in locations that have a real need. Your first choice is whether you want to live in Cusco and be part of the lively social scene, or whether you want to live in a village and have much more of a local Peruvian experience. About the orphanages and care homesAs a regional capital, Cusco has a large number of orphanages and care homes, many of which are run by nuns from the Catholic church. Each specialises in a different area of care work. Most care for children who have lost their parents or been abandoned, some look after the very young whilst others care for older children. There are also homes for children with special needs. A typical weekMost orphanage placements are either in the morning or in the afternoon and are normally 3 or 4 hours long because children usually go out to school at certain times of day so there is no work while they are at school. You can therefore often decide the hours you would like to work by choosing placements that fit.
Volunteers generally either do two different placements in a day, or work half days and use their free time to go to the language school, get to know Cusco better, relax or study the history of Peru. You may also want to work Monday to Thursday to give yourself time to travel around the Cusco area on extended weekend trips. The priority however with all our projects is the benefit to the local organisation and their requirements.
There is no typical day in an orphanage as there is so much variety. You may spend the day just playing with the children, you could take the children on a visit or you could arrange a sports day for them. Many volunteers arrange English, art or music lessons for the children. Equally you may end up shopping in town to buy food for the orphanage, you could find yourself taking one of the children to hospital, or you could be working on a strategy to raise money for the orphanage.
Working in these homes presents a real challenge and gives a great sense of satisfaction. It is a very humbling experience to work with the nuns and other care workers who have dedicated their lives to serving the children of Cusco. Lifestyle in CuscoCusco, the city where volunteers spend most of their time, was the ancient capital of the Inca Empire until the Conquistadors defeated them in the 1500s. Spanish colonial grandeur replaced the majesty of Inca engineering, and today both vie for dominance in this city alive with history. Cusco’s main square is an incredible place where many of Peru’s formative historical events took place. It was here that Tupac Amaru I was killed by the Spanish Conquistadors to finally destroy the Inca Empire. The Spanish built several grand cathedrals and fringed the square with beautiful stone arches. It is now a great place for restaurants, bars, salsa clubs and night life. However poverty is never very far away, and the wealth divide between tourists and locals is nowhere more visible than in Cusco. You just need to go a few roads away from the main square to find people living in tin shacks with open sewers. You will also find a large population of street children who make a living selling postcards, polishing shoes or even scavenging rubbish. Cusco is a city of great contrasts and a place where volunteers can have an incredible experience and give a huge amount to the local population. You will be able to get to know the local people, shop in local markets and experience the routine of life in a Peruvian city. It will be up to you how much or little you want to come into contact with the more western and tourist element of Cusco. Location of accommodation and workplaceWhilst based in Cusco, volunteers live in a hotel in the San Blas district. San Blas is the 'old town' and is where all the bars and restaurants are. Its a very beautiful area only a few minutes walk from the main square. Almost all the building are white washed with terracota roofs and many date back to the Spanish Colonial era. The streets are also patroled by tourist police at night to keep the area safe.
Your workplace may be walking distance or a short bus or taxi ride from your accommodation. The specifics of your day will depend on where you work as different institutions have different daily routines, but whichever one is chosen, there will be lots to do and plenty of opportunities to work closely with Peruvian children and adults and get to know them very well over the time you are there. What our volunteers say
"...I had an amazing time in Peru at the Hogar Esperanza and to thank you so much for your support and help prior to going out. It was an amazing experience and truly humbling to see what a difference our time makes to people in less fortunate positions than ourselves..." - Patricia For more views from past volunteers please see our testimonials. | 
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