GVI: Volunteer in Peru

For this scheme you are based directly in the Amazon cloud forest which in an incredibly unique experience. We went hiking further into the forest where I was taught more about the environment and the different species that inhabit it. They are trying to educate the area on reforestation and techniques to prevent environmental damage which we played a role in. I met so many new people who were so welcoming and ready to help whenever needed. I don’t speak Spanish but that didn’t hinder my time there at all, I even picked up some Spanish while I was out there. I was also able to visit incredibly locations in Peru before and after my volunteering such as Lima, Machu Picchu, Cusco and the oasis in Huacachina! Highly recommend.

The 2 weeks I spent volunteering in Oxapampa with GVI were 2 of the most enriching weeks of my life. GVI brings in volunteers and interns to support the work of a project started and run by local conservationists at CDS. This former passion fruit farm was purchased by a couple a little over a decade ago and now, thanks to their efforts, provides habitat for an incredible amount of biodiversity. In my time there we learned about the process and methods used to revive the forest, from sifting compost, to potting saplings, to planting young trees in future forests. The field guide, Duggie, knows more about the local flora and fauna than I could believe possible. He lead us on night walks where we found glass frogs, bats, and countless incredible insects. We conducted bird surveys, came across beautiful Peruvian birds, and learned how to set up camera traps and log sightings of mammals. Evelyn the program manager was incredibly organised, supportive and friendly. Together they and the CDS staff made our stay a really incredible experience.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to spend 2 months volunteering on a teaching programme in Cusco with GVI. From pre-arrival to when I returned home, I felt fully supported by all of the GVI team. The staff in Peru were excellent, and really allowed us as volunteers to grow through giving us a great deal of responsibility in planning and delivering lessons, whilst always being there to help and support us with any difficulties we came across. It was amazing to work with ladies in the communities and gain a greater understanding about their way of life, whilst teaching them the necessary English for their tourism businesses. Cusco is also an excellent location in terms of opportunities to explore more of what Peru has on offer. I cannot recommend GVI as an organisation enough, and particularly the Cusco base. It is clear that the work that GVI does there is really appreciated and benefiting those in receipt of it, and I am so happy to have been apart of the GVI community there.

GVI are a really engaging and proactive organisation. They will help you from the moment you consider joining a programme, all the way through to your arrival back home. This was my first experience volunteering abroad and even travelling alone, so I was worried but they helped me at every stage and I felt comfortable whilst pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I cannot recommend them enough, especially for first-time/young travellers.
I went to Cusco, Peru for a month on a Women's Empowerment programme and truly had the time of my life with like-minded people making a difference in the local community. I personally worked on 4 different projects - the projects vary (length/type/volunteers) depending on the needs of the community. This was really interesting because every project was so different but also needed by the community - every day was something different. I have made friends around the world for life and feel that I have grown as a person in my confidence, maturity and cultural awareness. I would highly recommend GVI and particularly Cusco as there are lots of projects to help with (not necessarily explicitly related to one topic - i.e. women's empowerment, community development, nature conservation, education) meaning your work goes a long way!

Day to day life volunteering in Peru.

I volunteered for 2 weeks in Peru. I stayed in a hotel in Cusco. The community that I volunteered in was an hour's drive away in a district called Chinchero. Whilst I was there the school at the community was on their Winter break so my experience differed from the volunteers staying longer. Instead of working in the school I helped, along with a group of 15 others, to construct a tree nursery. This involved physical work e.g. digging holes, taking down and putting up fences, bagging soil and tidying up the nursery. We did this for roughly 3-4 hours a day up until lunch time. It doesn't seem like that long but it was exhausting and we cherished the afternoons.

A typical afternoon would either be spent having a Spanish lesson back in Cusco or going out and exploring the city perhaps grabbing a coffee, yoga or hiking up to the Cristo Blanco statue that towers over the city. Dinner would then be ready for 6pm where we could all come back together and discuss the day. After food and the long day, we would all want to wind down and go to bed as the day started at 6am.

The weekends provided more time to explore or go out in the evening. For example, one weekend all of the volunteers went to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu which was unforgettable. Another day, we went on a day trip to see some local Incan ruins, salt mines and a weaving class.

The highlight of my program was the people you get to meet though. You all have at least one thing in common; you all want to volunteer where you are! Personally, I think it's a guarantee that you'll make friends. My program was the shortest one on offer due to time restraints but by the end I wanted to stay at least another two weeks!

This experience with GVI was amazing, but that doesn't cut it. I developed in so many meaningful ways, yet in so many small ways as well. I learned the importance of flexibility, of hard work, of deep relationships. We got to see how the members of local communities live, how they work, and how they have fun. It was incredible to see. While the work was at times tiring and grueling, at the end of the day, it felt great to see that we had helped the communities grow and continue to see improvements. The GVI staff were fantastic. Every single staff member was helpful, hard working, organized, caring, and just plain bad-ass. They supported us on project and off, and I hope to stay in touch with them for a long time. The base is located in the center of Cusco, and everything is in walking distance. The rooms are nice, and the hotel staff is great.