HOOP Peru

Program Reviews

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Marlene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My second home - Arequipa

For 2 and a half months I worked as an English teacher for HOOP. From the first moment on, I was welcomed to this incredible family and surrounded by motivated people connected with the same aim: helping to improve the lives of people living in the Flora Tristan Community. Apart from teaching English to kids, I took part in art and sport classes to encourage creativity and team building of the kids. Working with HOOP was definitely the most adventurous experience in my live. I learned a lot about myself during this time as well as about other cultures and traditions. HOOP was the perfect combination of volunteering abroad, getting in close contact to a new culture and travelling around to experience the incredible nature of South America. I would recommend volunteering at HOOP for all of those above mentioned reasons but most of all because of the love you get from your new family here in Arequipa.

What would you improve about this program?
It's hard to say because this organization was overall well-organized, provided subsequent training in advance as well as an welcoming atmosphere to work there. The communication was good, but sometimes a bit distributed on several social media platforms which could be more combined to one. They try to built a new school for HOOP which would be a great improvement because the actual building there the teaching takes place is rented and has limited amount of classrooms. Since many more families in Flora Tristan would like to join HOOP the capacity is too low for that.
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Kata
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A meaningful stay in a beautiful city in a wonderful team

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What would you improve about this program?
Expanding it (of course this depends on the financial means) is the only improvement I can think of - HOOP is very effective and conscientous in their work in my experience
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LJ
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Real Contribution to The Local Community

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Marie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable experience !

I've been an intern at Hoop for 4 months, and it was a really great experience.
Hoop has a real impact in the community it is implemented, and you can see that everytime you are going to the school.
As an in inten, you get the chance to learn about how an NGO is working, the staff is really friendly, and will let you work on what you like; I've learn a lot working at HOOP.
Arequipa is also a great city to live in, and live with volunteers from all over the world is an amazing experience ! Hoop is really becoming like a family the all time you are staying.

What would you improve about this program?
The NGO is still really young, there is a need of more organisation, but it is going to only improve in the future, and become more efficient. In 4 months, I already seen differences !
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Roberto
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteer in Arequipa

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P.
3/5
Yes, I recommend this program

HOOP Peru -Work From the Heart

I really like this NGO's mission. Unfortunately, I did not have a great experience. I arrived in Arequipa with a newly fractured coccyx bone. I was in a lot of pain. In hindsight, I should have told the company that I wasn't fit to work for them and never started at all.
I found myself struggling alone in this new city and country, pushing myself to show up for the job before I was ready. The hostel that was recommended for me is geared for people in their 20's. As I am 60, it was not a good match for me. This all has led to a not happy time for me.
This company is small, and the volunteer teachers do not need to be native English speakers or University graduates. If you are young, willing to try new things, and are up for an adventure, this is the place for you! It is definitely doing good things in an impoverished community, and the help really does make a difference. I highly commend the work being done in this impoverished neighborhood outside of Arequipa.

What would you improve about this program?
There are other very accurate comments that I highly recommend reading. They include the dog problem near the school. I also found some of the office staff to be very unfriendly. While I was sick ( got sick from the food as well), no-one reached out to me. In fact, when I asked for help, I was told no. I felt very much alone and isolated for a full month. To be fair, the lead office manager did regularly ask me how I was doing some. She was the exception.
This NGO needs more donations, which I recommend if you can donate, as they really are an NGO making a big difference. This is a project with big goals, like bringing in water to this area. They not only teach and run an great after school program, but are teaching about nutrition and bringing in volunteer dentists. Only healthy snacks make it into this school. These are all important projects.
This is a very young organization -meaning that not only is it less than 10 years old, but also that the staff is all young in years and experience.
I wish them the very best of luck!
Response from HOOP Peru

We at HOOP appreciate your kind words about our impact in the community. We are very excited to continue and expand our programming in order to give more help to the families. We are sorry to hear you had a bad experience due to previous health problems and we will take into consideration your suggestion for a different hotel for our older volunteers. We are a young and ambitious organisation of 2 years and our volunteers really feel like they are making a difference in the community. It is an exciting time to be apart of HOOP and we wish you the best in your travels!

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Chris
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

You won´t want to leave once you join the HOOP family!

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What would you improve about this program?
One of the things I tried to improve while I was volunteering at HOOP was the induction process when a new volunteer first arrived. I think having a current volunteer come and welcome you on your first day and take you to the office for your induction is important, and we tried really hard to make sure there would be a thorough handover from the previous teacher of your class. I really hope this will continue :) One thing that I think still needs improvement is for volunteers to generally be longer-term if at all possible, as having a different teacher every month can´t be good for the kids - academically or emotionally.
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Hollis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience at HOOP :)

I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering at HOOP! Getting to know the students and their families was an incredible experience for me. Also, really immersing myself in the culture and in the town of Arequipa and the people that live there really helped to make my time there unforgettable.

What would you improve about this program?
I would recommend that some members of the staff have a more welcoming attitude for new volunteers. It's a little unnerving figuring out a new town and it would help if some of those on staff who had been there longer would have been more willing to help the new volunteers get acquainted with the town.
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Elaine
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great community, great experience

I was a volunteer lead teacher for HOOP in the spring of 2014. Overall it was a fantastic experience because you really got to interact with the local community and learn about the people of Arequipa. HOOP really benefits the community of Flora Tristan and its participants, the children love us and its a true joy to work with the children everyday. My Spanish was minimal but I learned a lot from the locals and the children I taught. Safety is a concern, especially in the community of Flora Tristan at night, so be careful and buddy up! It is okay as long as you take the necessary precautions. In the city centre of Arequipa where you live, the nightlife is fantastic and it is a safe area to roam about. It is really fun to get to know the other volunteers, try out the interesting restaurants in town, and you bond very fast with the others in the program. My experience with HOOP was very worthwhile and I'm glad I got to experience something so different from my daily life in Vancouver!

What would you improve about this program?
A more concrete buddy system to ensure that no one is alone when going to or leaving from Flora Tristan. There are many wild dogs in Flora Tristan and they tend to become aggressive when they see you are alone. It can be very intimidating.
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Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Overall 9 (just because nothing is perfect)

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What would you improve about this program?
HOOP needs help to expand their action on the Flora Tristan, the goal being to become more of a community center than an English school. The primordial thing is the constant coming and going of volunteers, as nothing can improve without their presence and fresh ideas to contribute.