Volunteer in Peru with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

What a rewarding experience! The students in my class, ages ranging from 12 to 60-something, have a desire to learn/improve their English. But they also are sincerely interested in "giving back." Among laughter and good times, they helped me with my Spanish (as well, of course, as my Spanish teacher from Maximo Nivel!) I'll remember this trip for the strong support of the MN staff and the warm-hearted people of Peru...

The locals were very appreciative of our help. I was there for a short while so I didn't feel like I contributed too much however I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering for the construction and the animal care program.

The volunteer organizers were very helpful and checked on you at your placements to make sure you were safe and treated well.

I highly recommend this type of trip to anyone interested in doing this as an option for travelling to a certain country.

I had the pleasure of volunteering for two weeks during the holidays with Maximo Nivel in Cusco, Peru. I honestly did not know what to expect and to my surprise it exceedingly surpassed my expectations! We went to different orphanages to give out Christmas gift, painted bedrooms, played games, and engaged with the children. The children were so incredibly grateful and loving, it was truly humbling. The icing on the cake for me was the friendly and attentive staff at Maximo Nivel which was a huge relief since I was traveling alone and had never been to Peru. I always felt safe whenever traveling with Maximo Nivel which was very important to me.
I also had the opportunity of touring Cusco, Peru on my own which was absolutely beautiful. I really felt as though I was in the movie, Eat, Pray, Love as I explored the picturesque sights. For me this trip was life changing, I made friends from all over the world that I look forward to keeping in touch with, I saw some of the most breathtaking sights and I believe I have made a difference whether it was through a hug, a kiss, a brush or a smile my heart is still overflowing with joy.

Christina Rodriguez

Christmas & New Years 2015

I just volunteered in the beautiful city of Cusco, Peru for my second time with Máximo Nivel! I decided to return to Cusco to visit and volunteer at the orphanage, Hogar de San Judas Chico, I worked at for two months last year. Cusco is an amazing city with so much to do and see; however, the experience would not have been the same had I not volunteered with Máximo again. It is extremely difficult to find an organization that not only caters to the needs of the volunteers, but also to the citizens of the country that the organization is based in, yet Máximo does exactly that. I was placed in an incredible home-stay, and felt completely comfortable and safe during my time in Cusco. While I loved the home-stay, Máximo makes it clear that if there are any problems or concerns, they are available to help. Having volunteers stay in home-stays allows for the Peruvian hosts to not only make needed extra money, but also creates an amazing immersion experience and gives the hosts a chance to practice their English. Additionally, volunteers are able to practice their Spanish and learn about Peruvian culture.

Working at the orphanage last year was the most eye-opening experience (not to sound cliché) that I have ever had. I immediately knew I would want to return, but still had some nerves about the experience not being the same the second time around. While the experience was different than last time, it was just as incredible. The smiles on the girls faces when we saw each other again for the first time reminded me of exactly why I returned. I came back to Cusco with a purpose: to spend the rest of the donation money that I had previously raised the year before. When I received news of a family emergency back home, Máximo was there for me in more ways than I could have imagined. I thought I was going to have 2 whole weeks to plan out and spend all of the donation money, but I only had one because I had to go home 10 days early. With the help of Máximo, I was able to buy each of the girls shoes, underwear, bracelets, and lotion. Additionally, I was able to pay for two of the girls to take four months worth of English classes at Máximo. I also was able to buy glasses for the girls who needed them, and I was able to pay for the dentist for the girls who needed dental work done. There was no way I could have completed all of this without the help of the amazing organization.

I am extremely happy that organizations like Máximo Nivel exist because they truly take the time to ask the places that they help what tools and things they need, rather than simply implenting their own ideas. Máximo also checks up daily on the volunteers and their projects, and they are always open to advice on how change things to make the help more efficient. I am proud to say I have worked with this organization twice, and hopefully I will be able to work with them again. At least I know my girls at the orphanage, and everyone else that Máximo helps, are in good hands.

It's has been 2 months that I've been in cusco, Peru. I was there for 3 weeks, in the Arcopaa family, with girls from 6 to 12 years old in "aponderamineti de las Nina's", a place 1h ago from cusco where they can go after school for suport, attention and education.

It was absolutely te best time of my life. I miss it like crazy! It's amazin how giving a bit of us can give us back soooo much! All the girls that I've met they're still so special to me... Thank tou maximo nivel for all the support and accommodation! I had so much fun and I met so many amazing people in my house.. Besides cusco!! I truly recommend this city.. Try the "green point" ;)

I think there's no words to describe what it is to be 3 weeks (too little time!) to be volunteering.. Especially with my girls. Definitely have to try it. There's so many people on the world that need just a little bit of our time... It can just be a hug or teach them how to make a cake... So simple. And I don't know how you'll get so much more in return.

Thank you for everything maximo nivel!

I did service work with my 13-year-old daughter at Kyuki-Do Wasi (the house for teen mothers and their babies in Cusco), mainly assisting the babies but also helping the mothers in different ways. I got involved with these mothers and babies in a special way and it was sad to leave them after two weeks. The stories these teenage mothers have already lived, at a very early age, are breath-taking but they shared them with me in the most natural way, with no special bitterness but rather a calm resignation. Given this, I was especially touched by the joy in the house, the friendly atmosphere, most of the time, among mothers, their babies and other volunteers and their kindness. And the generosity and good-heartedness of caretakers and psychologist Maruja, for me the real 'soul' of the house. A lesson for us to learn in our daily routine and comfortable lives in the Western world.
The house was well organised and we received perfect support from Máximo Nivel. In particular, Tanja's involvement was a great help and made our work there much easier and nicer. I liked her discrete and 'elegant' attitude.
The general introductions given by the local organisation (Máximo Nivel) were informative and useful; however there was some degree of repetition in the information in the safety and programme introductions. Also I noticed the information (about Peruvian culture, the programme, etc.) is mainly given from a US perspective, not considering other possible origins among volunteers (European, non-English native, etc.).
At the house I found that the volunteer planning could have been better organised. Depending on the day and week, at times, there were too many volunteers (among those who lived at the house and others, like us, who came from another organisation), outnumbering the babies (7). In my opinion, a better planning and knowing in advance the characteristics of the volunteers at the house would result in a more efficient help for the mothers and babies.
I would definitely recommend the international and local organisations (IVHQ and Máximo Nivel) and this programme as a reliable and well-organised one and guaranteeing a special and rewarding personal experience.

As a Graduate student, my experience with Maximo Nivel was not only enlightening but the value of the experience will be something I will treasure forever. Chelsey was an amazing Coordinator who actually used her day off to spend time with us!

Cusco is an amazing city. Full of life, colors, tastes; filled with wonderful people and amazing landscapes. I volunteered the past month with Maximo Nivel in Childcare. Got to stay in a volunteer house with 16 other people who live across the world (Sri Lanka, USA, Canada, France, etc.) and they became my family for the month I stayed. We traveled a lot, everything is really cheap and the is a lot to do, it is a very cultural city.
My program was in Saylla, a municipality an hour far from Cusco. I worked with Corazón de Dahlia, an organization that helps children improve their skills after school and learn more while their parents are still working. I worked with 27 girls aged from 7 to 11, we read, did homework, played and we had the opportunity to teach them english (colors, greetings, animals...) or do arts & crafts with them.

It was an amazing experience!