Program Reviews

My time at LLI was such a dynamic experience. I lived somewhere utterly unique, I gained english teaching skills, I explored Peru and I made life long friends. Best of all, I felt truly a part of the LLI family, that between it's working volunteers and the program participants themselves, made for the most awe inspiring of human environments. My 4 months as an English teacher was not without challenge, and you need to be prepared to work hard, but with the ever enduring support of Lara and the exceptional people you will meet at this NGO, you'll find yourself growing as a person exponentially. On a practical front, the housing is perfectly sufficient, the wifi luxurious, Dina's food is delectable and personal freedom is more than adequate. This is such an interesting corner of the world, and the relationship you forge with not just Huaycan itself, but the kids, the Lima region and broader Peru and your fellow volunteers will stay with you long after you return home.

One of my favorite experiences was when I was socializing with some of the teens in the teen center that LLI created. We were having a karaoke night and the songs we played were a mix of American and Peruvian culture. But everyone enjoyed it all! We were singing in Spanish and in English and having such a great time! Moments like that are so special and enjoyable and I always looked forward to spending time learning about culture and making new friends.

Volunteering with LLI was my first experience volunteering abroad, and it was nothing short of amazing. Although I was only able to stay short-term, I gained so much from my time there. Working with the kids is unbelievably rewarding, and I grew to love and appreciate Huaycan and the Peruvian culture. My fellow volunteers were wonderful humans from all walks of life who each brought something special to the table. From singing songs in English class, to playing soccer with some of the locals, to group dinners in the volunteer house, I cherish every memory from my weeks I spent with LLI. The program is extremely well run and does everything to make you feel comfortable, whether you're staying two weeks or a year. I hope I have a chance to go back in the future.

I worked for six months as the Women's Program Manager for the Light and Leadership Initiative from January through June of 2014. LLI is an organization where the focus is the work that the volunteers do as opposed to the money they spend to come volunteer. LLI truly relies on the initiative and enthusiasm of volunteers, which makes it a great experience for those who want to learn what it's like to work at a grassroots non-profit.

As the Women's Program Manager, I organized workshops on financial education, nutrition, and artisan skills, given by Peruvian organizations and students, to groups of women in Huaycán. I also managed LLI's artisan program, taught basic computer and literacy classes, and helped with the community gardening project. I loved the women I worked with and left wishing I could have stayed longer.

Huaycán is a developing community, meaning there are some challenges to living there, but LLI does a lot to make volunteers feel safe and is very responsive to volunteer concerns. Living in Huaycán is an important part of the experience, allowing people to be a part of the community they hope to serve. The volunteer coordinator does a great job making sure volunteers feel at home and providing organized opportunities to explore other parts of Lima.

I would highly recommend LLI to anyone who wants to have a real impact, meet amazing, dedicated people, and learn about life in an urban developing community in Peru. I will never forget my time there!

I volunteered with LLI for 7 months in 2014 and came away from my time there with a lifetime of amazing memories, great friends, and the satisfaction that I made a positive impact teaching kids valuable knowledge that will help them going forward. The teaching experience there is unlike many others in that you have the opportunity to not only be a teacher to the kids but also to be a part of their daily lives outside of the classroom. I would routinely find myself playing games of soccer in the street with my students, at their houses for birthday parties, even taking a 10 year old student to the amusement park (which as a side note, was one of my favorite experiences there, just seeing the smile not leave his face the entire day, running from ride to ride). If you open not only your mind but your heart to the children you teach, I can assure you that they will teach you so much more about the human spirit than you could ever imagine.

Lived in a cute, clean apartment with the lovely, like-minded other volunteers. We ate delicious meals cooked by a local Peruvian woman, and could even put in meal requests.
The social scene was surprisingly lively. We made friends with local people; we would play volleyball and football with them, followed by a few beers in a local bar.

The culture was, however, refreshingly different. If you want to see what it's like living abroad in a place which is utterly devoid of tourists, then Huaycan is for you!

Above all though, I felt as if the work I was putting in - primarily as an ESL teacher to children and adults - made a tangible positive difference. This feeling is what drove LLi volunteers to give 110% and support each other in doing so every day. So it was a very sparky environment.

My experience in Peru with LLI was one of the most wonderful, fullfilling experiences of my life. It met and exceeded all of my expectations and I am already looking forward to doing it again next year! From the moment I got off the plane and was greeted by Sarah the house manager I felt welcomed, comfortable and very much included as part of the house. All of the volunteers at the house were extremely helpful and inclusive in the actives. Some of the reasons I chose LLI were, the cost (it is very reasonable), the accomedations- it was great to live in a volunteer house where you could share your experiences with other volunteers and learn from them and the interaction with Lara (the founder), she is right there with you and you really get to understand her passion and what the organization focused on. Although we lived in a volunteer house it did not deter from being immersed in the community. The house is in the area you are serving, the cook is Peruvian (great food), and you are right in the center of it all and have the opportunity to interact with all of the locals. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking a volunteer opportunity in Lima!

The volunteer house includes amenities important for entertainment and communication (Internet access, television,DVD player, etc). There is a security guard every night to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Lunch is prepared fresh and shared with other volunteers. There are plenty of opportunities to get to know neighbors.

Students/participants are precious and genuinely appreciative of the volunteer staff. Teaching/working with them is by far the highlight of the experience.

Since the volunteer house is located in Huaycan, the list of fun things to do at night is pretty small. Chosica is close-by, however, where karaoke, Foosball and pizza can be found. Lima is a few hours away, and once a week the volunteers went there and explored. On the weekends there is a discotheque close by for dancing and social drinking. It's a good place to meet new friends.

If you don't know Spanish -- learn as quickly as possible. Make a friend while doing so!

This was a great first time volunteer experience for me. I spent one month working with the English, conversation, library and sports programs with LLI. It takes a few days to get used to the changes in your living accommodations, eating habits and day to day routine, but soon you will find your new normal and just roll with it. The support you get from the program director is incredible. She is helpful in every way and is always there to give help and advice. She goes out of her way to make the entire experience rewarding and fun. I always felt safe in our volunteer house and the food provided was plentiful and healthy. Best of all, the relationships that you get to form with other volunteers and the children you work with daily makes the experience awesome. They are a loving, appreciative population. You should definitely consider this volunteer opportunity.

When I thought about volunteering somewhere, I wanted to actually make a difference while being immersed in a new culture and also have fun! LLI went beyond my expectations in every possible way. Each day was filled with amazing times teaching and having fun in class with the students, enjoying delicious Peruvian foods, connecting with the other volunteers who felt like family after a week, and experiencing what life was like in a completely different part of the world. The community was very friendly and the views were amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat.