Program Reviews

I really liked this experience. Towards the end of my stay I started to become more comfortable with our work and I felt like I was trusted by the nurses more. For the first two weeks though, I didn’t feel very helpful and mostly watched the nurses work. There could have been a little more organization when it came to where/with who we should be working with, because occasionally I would invite myself into a certain room and they wouldn’t have work for me to do. I think this is very valuable and a great experience despite all this.

Excellent program in an amazing city. Everything was so much fun, definitely must know Spanish to come or you will not get to do much. Everything was well organized and the managers were always available if you had questions. I will be very sad leaving. The tours were wonderful, Cusco is such a pretty place. The city also feels relatively safe compared to other places and the locals are all very kind. We made so many friends that we met. You are also given a lot of freedom to explore and encouraged to go out and about.

I had a great experience volunteering in Cusco. I have met incredible people and the local staff in Peru (Jeny, Frida & Keli) have been amazing. The host family has been also perfect.

The project itself was also great. I chose a teaching project in a high school. My days at the school were busy and very well appreciated. Most of the students are eager to learn English and I'm proud to have been a part of the impact these experiences will have on the students. Everyone was very helpful and eager to share experiences, which made every moment worthwhile.

I spent the long holiday by visiting Machu Pichu, Titicaca Lake, and Arequipa. During the holiday I also trekked montaña de siete colores with other volunteers.

I highly recommend Volunteering Solutions to anyone who is looking to volunteer in Peru.

I have never been so happy with kids who were so thankful and appreciated me being there. The project was wonderful and is making a difference in the lives of the children. The coordinator and the host family was both nice and it really helped to be in touch with Jenny on WhatsApp group along with other participants. The host family made sure there was enough good food and we all had a comfortable stay. I have a lovely time going to Machu Picchu with other volunteers. Thanks Volunteering Solutions for such a great experience!

The experience was incredible! The host family is Cusco was eager to share their culture and they became a second family to me! And what to say about my host mum in Iquitos Jenny? She was the kindest person I have ever met!
Working with the kids was a great experience in order to learn about peruvian culture and working for the community!
In addition the contact with thd orgsnozation was fluent in every moment, they were in constant supervision of the whole experience to make sure I was having a great time!

I enjoyed the experience and found there were challenges I hadn't expected.

I think the course could be better organised in some ways, such as communicating excursion itineraries in advance and giving more thought to how volunteers are put together and who they are placed with (in terms of the host family). My homestay experience was very uncomfortable from the perspective that I was paired with someone significantly younger and better able to speak Spanish. I was also treated differently by the host family and it is not quite clear to me why. They were a nice family but notably treated me as less favourably than the other volunteer.

More time could be allocated to volunteering, and the local support could be more easily accessible and responsive.

Peru is a beautiful place. The excursions on the whole were very good but I often only found out about arrangements very shortly before - in some cases, the late night before when the leave time for the excursion was 4am the next morning.

I was also not provided the link to review the experience whilst the other two volunteers in my group were and the coordinator followed up with them more than once to ensure it was completed. I requested this link several times, the coordinator ignored me after I left Peru and I was sent this eventually by the head of local coordinators.

I was in the medical program in Cusco. It was good but it wasn’t what I was expecting. Most of the times you need to do just paper work and some nurses and doctors don’t want your help at all. But obviously there also were doctors and nurses who taught us a lot of procedures.
The house and the host family was amazing, they were so nice all the time and the food was amazing. The place is so clean and they can give you some advices about the bus, the downtown, food, etc.
Also you always feel protected and secure because the volunteer staff is always taking care of you and making sure you’re having a good time over there

The experience is sensational, the families help you in everything you need, the school where you are volunteering always takes your opinion into account and always asks you for advice on how to improve.
You can ask the organization for advice on what cultural activities you can do during your stay and they are always willing to help you.

Estuvo muy divertido todo lo que hicimos, la experiencia fue increíble. A pesar de que pensamos que nos dejarían hacer más cosas prácticas en la clínica, valió la pena todo. La familia fue increíble con nosotros, el lugar donde nos quedamos estuvo excelente, y Cusco en general es un lugar padrisimo con muchas cosas que hacer y gente increíble. Repetiría esta experiencia 100000 veces más!!!! Pudimos ir a muchos tours los fines de semana y entre semana conocer varias cosas, no te aburres ni un solo día aquí.

English Translation:
Everything we did was very fun, the experience was incredible. Even though we thought they would let us do more practical things in the clinic, it was all worth it. The family was amazing with us, the place where we stayed was excellent, and Cusco in general is a great place with many things to do and amazing people. I would repeat this experience 100,000 more times!!!! We were able to go on many tours on weekends and on weekdays learn various things, you don't get bored for a single day here.

I had the most incredible experience as my first time solo traveling! Volunteering solutions planned everything out and there was always someone available to ask questions so I never felt lost. I was able to fit in so many activities in just 2 weeks! The kids at the school were so cute and sweet and I’m so glad I was able to help in any way I could. My host family and the coordinators were all so helpful and kind and made sure I was happy and comfortable. They even made me a cake for my birthday:) Pilpintuwasi was the highlight of the trip I got a hands on experience with all the animals and had so much fun! I can’t wait to book my next adventure!