Program Reviews

I volunteered at the Torre Fuerte Girls' Home last year and the experience was wonderful. All the girls were amazing to work with and the staff was very helpful in creating a memorable experience in Arequipa. My last day of the program coincided with one of the girls' birthday parties at the home and I felt completely overwhelmed with joy to be a part of it that day. I would definitely recommend this program and do it again in a heartbeat.

It was an experience of a lifetime. You get to discover the beautiful Peru and at the same time really feel like you're making a difference for the girls. You're also practicing your Spanish in a fun and useful way. I would seriously recommend this to everyone ! The staff is great, you feel really at home and you get to discover an amazing country and meet amazing people !

I taught at this school for a month just before Christmas, 2014. I've spent 9 months traveling in South America and had some amazing times but none compare to my experiences in Cotahuasi canyon, the deepest canyon in the world.

I taught at the primary and secondary schools in Tomepampa, a small village in this fertile valley. There's no internet and the nearest big town is a ten hour bus ride away, as a result the children are unspoiled and enthusiastic. As soon as it was break time they would be playing volleyball or football or just running around for the sheer pleasure of it.

One of my pupils couldn't walk as the result of a congenital condition. One teacher explained that the previous year the class had an upstairs room and it looked like he wouldn't be able to stay with his group, but his classmates organised a rota themselves, and took it in turns to carry him up and down stairs.

The teachers and villagers were so pleased to have us they made us really welcome. Every weekend we would catch a local bus and then have wonderful treks with breathtaking views. The neighboring village was about half a kilometer away on the map but in fact it was more than 2,500 meters via mule tracks,straight up the side of the canyon.

Most of the locals were indigenous and wore colorful traditional clothes and spoke Quechua. As we visited each settlement, the style of the clothes varied quite noticeably, reflecting how isolated they were.

If you get the chance to join this program then don't even think about hesitating. I know I'm going back one day.

I stayed at Casa Hogar for a week last year. Because of my short stay, I was limited to doing tasks helping out in the actual home, which was good for both me and the girls that live there. I felt useful and maximized the short amount of time that I could work. I was so happy to help so that the long term program volunteers on their actual goals: providing a better environment for the girls.

I stumbled upon Volunteers Peru while I was already in Arequipa; It is such a lovely destination that I was looking for something to do while I stayed a bit longer. I stayed in the Honey House (where most volunteers stay) during my time, which is a quiet hostel in a great location to catch a ride to the girls' home or to explore central Arequipa. Working with the girls was so much fun. We helped with school work, came up with crafts and games to do with them, and we assisted the girls with their assigned chores if needed. As a short term volunteer, I feel lucky to have been part of this growing organization. The project manager continues to send monthly updates on Torre Fuerte as well as their project in Cotahuasi, which just goes to show how much Volunteers Peru cares about their projects and helps form a close-knit community of volunteers and coordinators.

I spent time with Casa Hogar Torre Fuerte for two months, and had a generally positive experience. The staff were so helpful and caring and the girls at Torre Fuerte were so sweet and loving and filled with energy. It was an intense and rewarding experience and I think two months was perfect to continue improving my Spanish and to expose myself to international development. Peruvians are some of the warmest people I have ever met. I hope I can come visit this program again in the future!

Volunteering at Casa Hogar Torre Fuerte has been a life changing experience. Initially I found it emotional knowing that each girl had a history of abuse or abandonment and yet they still were so loving and caring towards me; an unknown visitor. However, I quickly realised that the Casa provides a safe, caring and family environment for the girls and that they are in the best possible hands with Pastor Dario and co. I will miss the girls!

I only spent a week of part time volunteering at Casa Hogar, but I had a very positive experience. I was welcomed warmly by the staff and the other volunteers and I liked the atmosphere and level of caring I witnessed at this facility.