Project Summary

On August 15th a powerful earthquake shook Peru, killing at least 1,000 people and leaving another 1,350 injured. In the hard-hit port city of Pisco a cathedral was destroyed while some 300 people were inside attending mass. Another 26 people, many of them patients in their beds, were killed when part of a hospital in Pisco collapsed. In addition to the killed and injured, more than 16,500 people have been displaced or otherwise affected by the quake. The hardest hit areas were south of Lima in the Ica, Chincha and Pisco regions. The earthquake, whose magnitude was variously estimated at 7.7 to 7.9 on the Richter scale, was centered off Peru's Pacific shore near Ica. Pisco, Ica and Chincha are now completely destroyed; the cities are without electricity and hundreds of families are sleeping on the streets outside their ruined homes. Volunteers are needed to work with displaced families that have lost everything in the disaster.

At a Glance

Minimum Program Length:	2 weeks
Start Date:	Every Monday
Arrival Date:	2-3 days before Start Date (Friday-Saturday)
Minimum Age:	18 years old
Volunteer Gender:	Male and Female
Accommodation:	You will be placed with a home stay family, or in a hostel if you are coming with a group.
Food:	Three local meals will be provided each day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food will usually be local Peruvian dishes (which are very tasty!). You will be fed every day except Sunday.
Pick-up Info:	A Volunteer Visions representative will be waiting for you at your arrival point and guide you to your accommodation and project location.
Project Schedule:	This program can involve full days of work but schedules vary day to day.

Your role as a Volunteer

As a volunteer you will be working with mothers and young children under the age of 5 that have lost everything in the earthquake. These are victims that have been left without food, clothing, shelter or services. The victims are currently living in tents or in some cases surviving on the streets. Volunteers will be providing meals, clothing and activities to approximately 40 children and support to the families that must focus on the rebuilding effort. With the older children volunteers will be asked to organize educational activities such as crafts and games.

Project Location

The projects are located in the cities of Ica and Chincha, to the south of the capital.

Ica is a town of about 200,000 approximately 300km south of Lima. It is the traditional source of Peruvian brandy known as Pisco. It is also an important agricultural region known for its grape, cotton and olive production.

Chincha, or Chincha Alta as it is also known, lies 200 km south of Lima. This town of about 177,000 is known in Peru as the cradle of Afro-Peruvian folk culture. Within Peru it is considered unique for it’s African influenced food, music, culture and dance.

95% of the city was destroyed in both locations.

Suggested Language Level

Since you will be communicating with children who do not speak English, a basic level of Spanish is recommended, but not required.

Supplementary Spanish language classes are offered at the local language school for volunteers interested in practicing and learning Spanish. The classes are run by certified ESL teachers and the groups are no typically no larger than 8 students.

Although these classes are not mandatory, we suggest that you take these classes if you have little or no background in Spanish. Classes are available for $210 for 20 hours per week. Classes are held four hours a day from Monday to Friday and accommodation and 3 meals a day are included in the program fee.

Additional Activities offered by the school
The Peruvian Andes are alive with cultural activities. The school offers opportunities to learn skills from our local artisans. The course includes the following cultural courses for those students seeking a genuine experience:

WEAVING COURSES:
Learn to use traditional backstrap looms from Pre-Hispanic times, or a pedal loom, to create your own special pieces. There are over 50 different types of weaving in the Highlands, and our teachers can teach you many different designs.

SPINNING AND NATURAL DYES:
This course is a great complement to the weaving course. Natural dyes have been used in our Valley for thousands of years. Visit us and explore the countryside with our local people, collecting plants and herbs to create your own special dyes.

COOKING COURSES:
Cook delicious and healthy Peruvian dishes, using our special cookbook compiled by Beverley. This course includes the fun of shopping at the colorful local market, selecting your own ingredients and sampling our exotic and ethnic flavors.

MUSIC COURSES:
Andean music makes every fiesta come alive! Learn to play a variety of instruments such as the Andean flute, pan flute, charango (small guitar) and guitar. Our methods are simple and practical, with one on one instruction.

DANCING COURSES:
Learn many of the local folkloric dances from experienced dancers. Listen to the histories of each dance, and study the different costumes of each. Visit the villages where these dances are performed. Modern dances can also be taught.

JEWELLERY MAKING:
Silverwork is a colonial art that is still alive in the villages of Peru. Using traditional methods, our local artisans can teach you the art of creating beautiful silver works.

Suggested Skills and Interests

Volunteers should enjoy working with children, be creative, self-starters and above all compassionate. Volunteers should also be prepared for the living conditions of the placement that are very basic with limited running water and electricity.

Suggested Donations

Volunteer Visions appreciates your help in bringing clothes both for babies and older kids, toys, flashcards, craft materials, and medicine in the case that the children catch colds or come down with fevers.