Affordable Volunteer Opportunities Abroad
Africa, Latin America, Asia

Our Orphanage program in Peru connects volunteers to the lives of orphaned children ages 2 to 14 years old. There are approximately 40 kids in total at the homes, some of which are single sex orphanages. The kids usually have a routine, but they can have a lot of trouble sticking to it; volunteering involves guiding these kids back to their routine. Of course, like in any situation where many children reside in one place, fighting occurs, but most of the time the fighting is harmless fun. Since all of the orphans come from difficult backgrounds and their social skills are not very well developed, their words and actions can sometimes be misguided. Younger children who haven't started school need to be looked after and kept occupied, while older children need assistance completing their homework assignments. In general, lessons and activities that volunteers can help with include homework, reading, painting, and meal time. The children also need to be walked to their schools, picked up at the end of their school day, and walked back to the orphanage. This program is a chance for volunteers to reach out to children, encourage them, and make a real difference in their lives. While the program may be challenging at times, the gratification promises to be deep and lasting, both for our volunteers and for all of the hearts that they are sure to touch.

NOTE: The orphanage is closed for the following dates: Dec 23 - January 7

Minimum Program Length: 2 weeks
Start Date: Every Monday
Arrival Date: 2-3 days prior to your Start Date
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:
Upon receiving your travel details, our coordinators will make plans to meet you at the airport or the bus station depending upon your mode of transport.

Project Schedule:
The schedule is arranged the first day on your arrival to the orphanage. The orphanage is closed for the following dates: Dec 23 - January 7

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.

As volunteers make a very tangible difference at the orphanages, they are expected to be truly mindful of their role in the children's lives before arriving as well as during the entire course of the program. Prospective Orphanage volunteers may find it useful to plan as far ahead as before their departure date in order to bring equipment and/or mementos from their country. Sharing one's own background can provide a great starting point for getting to know children! In general, volunteers may also find it helpful to prepare before each day. There are a range of activities and lessons with which the children need help; new ideas for how to help them will make the time more enjoyable and productive for everyone. As with anyone older, new, and foreign, the kids can be very interested, very testy, or very shy with respect to the volunteers-their reactions are sure to range, and also to change over time. Therefore, our volunteers cannot expect to feel completely comfortable at the orphanages right away, but they should nevertheless jump right into getting familiar with the children and not be afraid to be assertive when guiding the children or telling them no. There is plenty of room for fun and play, and the volunteers should show the children how to have fun in a friendly manner and at the appropriate times.

As a volunteer in our Orphanage program, one of your main roles will be to help the children stick to their routine and not get distracted. You should not hesitate to be firm and disallow children to play with toys or each other until they have completed all their homework and chores. Older children being mean to younger children or any inappropriate behaviour is the kind of situation in which your presence will prove very valuable; you should feel comfortable intervening and resolutely telling the children to stop. Younger children will need attention to stay focused on productive activities. Drawing, painting, and reading story books with them are fun, productive activities that may keep them occupied. If you chose to read with or to them, not only will the children be excited to hear you tell a story, but you will be able to practice your Spanish! If you do not have strong Spanish speaking skills, you may want to focus on helping the kids with subjects like English, math, and handicrafts. Alternatively you could give them a Spanish spelling test! At meal time, one responsibility of yours will be to help teach the children to always eat all of the food on their plate before having seconds. The phrases "come!" (eat!) and "come bonito" (eat nicely!) may be useful to learn before your arrival. Gift-giving to children is wonderful because they have very little and are genuinely appreciative of even the smallest presents. However, you may only give gifts on weekends or Fridays so the children don't learn to expect gifts all the time. Be aware that once you have given a child a treat, he or she is likely to ask for it again each day. On the other hand, 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. Finally, volunteers should feel free to play with the kids and enjoy themselves, as this will be the primary cause of smiles on the children's' own faces.

Suggested Skills and Interests

All volunteers should be outgoing, caring, and very interested in kids. Creativity, the ability to think on your toes, and resourcefulness are huge pluses. Maturity and responsibility is a must.

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 $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 ancient Incan city in the Andes of southern Peru. Famous for the tenderness of its people and its perfect position for travel to Chile, Bolivia and Peru attractions outside the city (including the famous Macchu Pichu), Cusco is an ideal place for volunteers to live and get familiar with Peru's history and culture. Cusco itself is rich in culture and history, with several intriguing historic sites.

Lima, the largest city and capital of Peru, 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.