We arrange opportunities to teach English in the city of Cusco and in surrounding villages. You can teach children in schools and orphanages, or work with women’s craft groups in villages which gives a real insight in to the traditional life of the Andes. 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 |
About the schools and teaching locationsAs Cusco is one of the tourist capitals of South America, the majority of income for the city comes from tourism. This means that those with the best English stand the best chance of earning a living. Here's where you come in.
English is not a part of the government curriculum but many schools include it. Our local staff work with the Peruvian teachers to arrange a timetable that gives you the opportunity to teach English and other subjects (sports, art, music), as well as providing clubs of your choice. There is a great sense of satisfaction in seeing the enthusiasm of the children and the improvement in their language skills and ability.
We also arrange placements with women's craft groups in villages outside of Cusco. Here you can live with a family and learn craft skills from the women's group while you teach them English to help them sell their products in the tourist markets. A typical weekA normal week will have around 10 hours of English or other lessons. When you include planning and preparation time as well, this is plenty. During lessons you may work with a Peruvian teacher, or you may have a class all to yourself. Your role is to focus on improving speaking and listening skills and building the children's confidence to communicate with foreigners. This means lots of fun and interaction, including games, songs, art, sports and any other creative activities that get the kids using English.
The school day starts around 8am and finishes around 2 or 3 pm. You are not expected to be in school when they are not teaching lessons but you are expected to ensure that you plan and deliver good quality lessons. In your spare time you can go to a language school, get to know Cusco better, relax or study the history of Peru.
If you worked with a women's group teaching them English, your working day would be very much up to you to structure but in general terms you would spend time learning weaving and other crafts from the local women while you taught them some English. During the week you would get to know the people of the village and have a rare insight into Peruvian culture and mountain village life. At weekends, it would only take an hour or so to travel back to Cusco to catch up with emails, restaurants and nightlife.
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. 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
"the experience I had out in Peru was the most incredible of my life and I couldn't have booked it with a more helpful, organised and friendly company than yours. My time at the placements, San Juan de Dios, Marco's Kindergarten, the Amistad and Chinchero, were all life-changing, I've learnt so much that I can take back with me to uni and to life as a whole" - Amy For more views from past volunteers please see our testimonials. | 
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