Volunteer in Peru with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

Volunteering with Maximo Nivel working in childcare was easily one of the highlights of my life.

My name is Jacques Touzeau, I am from Victoria, Australia and I am 22 years old. From May 2016 to mid August 2016 I worked with Maximo Nivel volunteering in childcare for 12 weeks. I worked at the Familia de la Policia (FdlP) which is a detention center for children who have either committed minor offenses, for children who have been abandoned or children who have run away from home. The FdlP is a temporary placement for children until the police can either find them an alternative placement (if they are homeless) or until their service time is up (if they have committed minor offenses).

The detention center where the children were held consisted of a few beds, a bathroom and the children were sometimes permitted to watch the TV. Other than that there was nothing and the children were not able to leave the detention cell. My job required me to be detained with these children and help them pass the time by playing games and giving them warmth and affection that they so desperately need. Maximo Nivel has a heap of games and activities in their storage system so it is very easy to find activities and games that the children will enjoy.

A lot of these children were forced to mature beyond their years due to their family and life circumstances. For this reason it is very easy for the children to form attachments to volunteers as they are not used to the kindness and generosity that we volunteers provide. This alone is one of the many reasons why volunteering in childcare is so rewarding.

In relation to the volunteer company Maximo Nivel they were the closest thing to perfect that is humanly possible. They help you when you need help. They provide ample opportunities and advice when you need it. They strive to accommodate the needs of their volunteers and they understand that even though we are volunteers we are still travelling and sometimes we want to take days off in order to visit certain attractions. The Maximo Nivel in Peru had free coffee and tea, free salsa lessons and free cooking lessons. They have an English speaking doctor if you need it as well. I got sick when I was over there and the doctor prescribed me with the right medication and I was as good as new.

To conclude this review. When I rated this program I literally gave everything a 10 (the highest mark) however this was not cliche. Maximo Nivel were incredible. Nothing is perfect however the help and opportunities that Maximo Nivel provide and the overall experience they help you create is the closest thing to perfection in my eyes. I am back home in Australia now and I am currently applying to work as a Child Protection Practitioner. My supervisor at Maximo wrote me a lovely recommendation letter and is one of my references on my resume. The volunteering I did helped me mature and develop exponentially. If I get a job my plan is to save as much money as I can and volunteer with Maximo Nivel again in a different country.

Maximo Nivel Cusco Peru provided me with the best experience of my life so far. For that I am forever grateful to them. If you are thinking about volunteering with Maximo DO IT. Hands down the best decision of my life. I got to travel, party, eat new and beautiful foods, experience an enriching culture, make friends from all over the world and enjoy one of the most rewarding volunteering experiences that life has to offer.

The photo attached is of me and one of the niñas (girls) at the FdlP detention center. She was an absolute angel and so kind.

In the past, I had volunteered with Maximo Nivel in Costa Rica. This was about a year ago and I really enjoyed it. And recently I saw they had an institution in Peru and decided to do the TEFL (teach English foreign language) program in Cusco. The course itself goes on for 4 weeks and is a 150 hour intensive course. And although the course can be at times a lot of prepping and work, it is totally worth it and a great experience! The TEFL course in Peru has been one of my favorite parts about this trip. I went in November (off-season) and as such my class size was quite small (only 6). All of the classmates and I connected instantly and we all got along during the course of the course. But it's not just my classmates that I enjoyed, but our instructors for the course and the Maximo Nivel staff. Everyone at this school is very personable and a joy to be around. Our TEFL instructor was very thorough and knowledgeable about the subject and was very helpful throughout the process. She makes teaching English fun and explains the art of "explaining" English to learners. Everyday had something new in concept and theory to teaching English, as well as some fun activities incorporated into the class. There was quite a bit of practical teaching as well. Every week you'll be teaching in front of actual learners and gradually build up to the final week (5 - 1 hour lessons for each day of the week). Be prepared to work though! The course is enjoyable but they will emphasize that it is not a vacation. There will be a lot of work at times, so be prepared for that (particularly the final 2 weeks). Overall though if you are interested in teaching English don't pass up this course! It's very valuable to have practical experience and everyone at Maximo Nivel is wonderful!

Expect Thoreau at Walden Pond, except a guy named Pablo living in the Peruvian jungle. The lodge is as much about conservation as it is about living humbly and appreciating the tranquility of nature. Pablo decided to live where he does to help heal the forest and to live freely, at an arms distance from our contrived society. He also chose the specific location because the altitude is not muggy or buggy and its above the towns so the river is prestine. He's at peace there, as was I. After six weeks I felt mellow and perfectly content in silence, reading and self reflecting. Almost to a flaw because more people came the last two weeks and I had noticeably lost some social skills, but they also dislodged my introverted inertia which I think was healthy for me at the time. The best experience there, or anywhere, is a happy medium of engagement with society and detatchment from it.

The answer to every question imaginable in the jungle is "whatever you want." Or wherever, whenever, and however. Expect total freedom and lack of structure based on the shared understanding that when people have the right to do what they want, they want to do what is right. Whether that be help cook, work purposefully, do the dishes, swim in the river or anything else that may be happening. It all runs smoothly. No need to ask questions about what the plan is for today because nobody knows until it happens...a sort of functional chaotic order. You might go to the town or work or nap or read all depending on the circumstances but Pablo doesn't make plans and pretty quick you'll lose track of the date and the time, living in rhythm with the sun.

Everything I could say about logistics and what not you would find out soon enough upon arrival and find yourself perfectly comfortable with it. Only truly required thing to know ahead of time is bring peanut butter. Or any kind of breakfast spread would be greatly appreciated by all. Of everything I'm writing that's by far the most objectively valid statement I can make about Tierra Linda: bring peanut butter.
...and plenty of reading materials for bedtime and the midday siesta when its too hot to work(Btw Pablo would appreciate any books in Spanish-he ran out a while ago). In terms of any gifts or bring-and-leave-behind type stuff: infinite books, any foods from the city, a portable hammock would be cool, and Risk would be perfect for rainy days if someone could come through. There's plenty more I want to say, but words don't do it justice. Some experiences are better had than told.

Oh yea, effectively limitless bananas.

As a first time international traveller, I could not have chosen a safer program than with Maximo Nivel. I truly felt supported by the staff during the 6 weeks I spent in Peru, and quickly established a connection to them and my host family. I volunteered with the Special Needs program, and while there were moments that were emotionally straining, I found many opportunities to engage with the residents and grew close bonds during my time there. I also practiced my Spanish, and worked through their tutoring program with an amazing instructor. There are plenty of opportunities to explore Cusco, and the staff can give advice or information when you feel concerned or unsure.
I strongly suggest this program, and if you are like me and have never travelled abroad by yourself before, the Peru program is a great place to start. Thanks to the wonderful staff and program, I will be returning to Peru and work with Maximo Nivel again in the future. For the price, you get every pennies worth, and many stories to tell for the rest of your life.

The amount of care we received from Maximo Nivel staff was absolutely amazing. I have never felt so supported! The children we were able to volunteer with were wonderful and so thankful to have us there. It was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend it to everyone. The best parts of the trip involved volunteering with the adolescent girls who showed us an enormous amount of love and welcome. I also highly recommend this trip because we were able to experience the incredible sites of Peru!

3 weeks. That's how long I spent working with Maximo Nivel at their Cusco facility. It doesn't seem like much, but in 3 weeks, with an open mind, a proactive attitude, and the immense support from the Maximo team we managed to make a pretty big impact at my project site helping some amazing kids get some of the basic supplies they needed. 3 weeks to explore the culture of Cusco, get immersed in its people, its sights, its food, its nightlife (which there is plenty of). 3 weeks to make some amazing friends. And 3 weeks to really dedicate yourself to do some good in the world surrounded by people who are so extremely passionate about making positive changes wherever they go. I cannot recommend Maximo enough and I hope to have the opportunity to join them again in the future.

I had a wonderful experience in Cusco, Peru. It is a life changing journey that I would recommend to everyone who is seeking their purpose. The staff, people and other volunteers are so friendly and nice. I met a lot of great volunteers who are making a difference in the world and I am proud and lucky to have been a part of their journey while making my own.
The placement was an experience I will never forget. We tend to take things for granted in America and experiences like these opens your eyes to the rest of the world and the struggles people endure, but are triumphant over.
Thank you Maximo Nivel.

I spent two weeks in Cusco with a group from my graduate school. I am studying to earn a Master's in clinical mental health counseling, and volunteering with Maximo Nivel was one of the best things I could have ever done. As a counselor-in-training, I often rely on language to work with people. The language barrier in Peru (I speak very little spanish) forced me to strengthen my nonverbal counseling skills. Not only am I so grateful for this experience, I am grateful to Maximo! They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable, safe, and happy. If you are a psychology student or in a related field, check out what Maximo can offer you!