Affordable Volunteer Opportunities Abroad
Africa, Latin America, Asia

Our volunteers on this program work in five different street kids' centres around the city. Located in public markets or poor areas, the centres are minimally equipped; they have only some old chairs, one table, light teaching materials and basic books. Approximately 100 kids in total, they are between the ages of 7 and 14 years old. Most of them go to school in the morning or afternoon, 95% of them live with their families, 85% of the kids are very poorly educated, and all of them come from difficult background situations. These kids use a lot of bad language and most of them have nicknames amongst themselves. Volunteers must call each of the kids by their real names.

The educators are usually out of the centres for most of the day, handing over responsibility to the volunteers to stay with the kids, help them develop reading and writing skills, and make sure that they complete their homework for school. This responsibility can be great, and volunteers that decide to take it upon themselves are deeply appreciated. The number of kids at the centres can vary considerably from day to day. A lot of the street kids that do not show up regularly have elected to work in order support their families. Our Street Children program offers volunteers an incredible journey that combines cross-cultural connection with challenges that may test the spirit. The rewarding parts, however, promise to be some of the greatest and most memorable experiences of one's life.

NOTE: The street childrens home is closed on the following dates: July 25-30, November 1-2, December 23 - January 3

Minimum Program Length: 2 weeks
Start Date: Every Monday
Arrival Date: 2-3 days prior to your Start Date (Friday)
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Volunteer Gender: Male and Female

Accommodation:
We offer clean, comfortable and safe accommodation. Volunteers will stay in a single or shared room with either a homestay family or in an apartment with other volunteers.

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:
Tuesday to Friday. The street childrens home is closed on the following dates: July 25-30, November 1-2, December 23 - January 3

Suggested Donations
Volunteer Visions appreciates your help in bringing clothes, toys, flashcards, craft materials, and medicine in the case that the children catch colds or come down with fevers.

The kids at these centres have no real schedule; volunteers must really think about what they can bring to the table and prepare activities. In order to hold street kids' attention, the activities should be prepared with careful thought as to what the kids, from the youngest to the oldest, might enjoy learning or doing. Volunteers may want to plan as far ahead as before their departure date to bring equipment and/or mementos from their home country. Sharing one's own background can provide a great starting point when getting to know people! Also putting time aside to prepare for each day can make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. As a volunteer, it is vital to remember that the children come from difficult backgrounds and their social skills are not well developed. Their words and actions can often be misguided. Fighting breaks out fairly often, but a lot of it is harmless. Volunteers should try to stop older kids from being mean to the younger ones. Giving gifts can be a wonderful gesture because the kids have very little themselves. However, a gift like warm clothes is the best kind because the kids are always wearing the same garments. Because the children live in rural areas that lack basic services like electricity and running water, their presentation is generally unclean. Volunteers should NOT show distaste in reaction to the kids' appearances but respect them all nonetheless.

As a volunteer, you will have to make sure that the kids complete their homework. Once their work is finished, you will be able to help them learn more generally in a variety of subjects. If you do not have strong Spanish speaking skills, you may want to stick with subjects like English, math, and handicrafts. Alternatively, you could give them a Spanish spelling test! If there are kids between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, you will need to read them story books with big pictures. Not only will the kids love that you are reading to them, but you can use the opportunity to practice your Spanish! If you have brought them toys or games that are not educational, you should wait until after they have finished their homework to present these to them. At the same time, new books, pens, calculators, etc. are great motivators for the kids and can help you to get them to sit down with you. Do not feel that you have to "teach" all the kids all the time. It is often best to take 1 or 2 aside and help them individually. There will be also be other volunteers there accompanying you. Finally, you should feel free to play with kids and enjoy yourself! After all, the kids will have the most fun when you are having fun too.

Suggested Skills and Interests

All Street Children volunteers should be outgoing, caring, people-oriented, personable, mature, responsible and emotionally strong. Creativity, the ability to think on your toes, and resourcefulness are huge pluses, as you will have to come up with activities that can involve the kids and hold their attention.

Suggested Language Level

To volunteer with street kids is a challenge. It's very important to speak Spanish, at least at a beginner's level.

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 $240 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.

Cusco is an an ancient Inca city in the Andes of southern Peru. Famous for the tenderness of its people and its perfect location for travel to Chile, Bolivia and Peru attractions outside the city (inclduing the incredible Machu Picchu), Cusco is an ideal place both to volunteer and to familiarize oneself with Peru's history and culture. Cusco itself is rich in culture and history, with several intruiging historic sites.

Lima is the largest city and capital of Peru. Lima is Peru's industrial and cultural nucleus. Nonetheless, visitors remark on the small town feel that is perhaps produced by the friendly attitude and leisurely pace of Lima's inhabitants. Renowned dining, open-air markets, globally famous museums and a variety of stunning white beaches nearby embellish this metropolis.Note: Lima is suited for independent volunteers who do not mind working by themselves and experienced travelers.