Volunteer Abroad in Cusco, Peru - 12 Different Programs

5*****
At first it was a bit of a shock to work with the children with special needs. They have such an unfortunate range of disabilities, and this kindergarten/pre-school is very understaffed. Many of them were also orphans. It was however really rewarding to see how much joy they still found in their everyday life, regardless of their circumstances.
My experience was great and working at the two placements I did got the opportunity to really help out with these children. I’m glad I went for as long a period as I did, as it takes time to get to know the children enough to really help them (especially the autistic and mentally challenged kids).
The coordinator was great, and helped me out with whatever I needed. She was really supportive and worked hard with me to help in my efforts to buy Christmas presents (clothes, blankets, toys) to over 400 orphans and disadvantaged children. I appreciate that a lot.

I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was to be without internet access at the national park in Peru. I had such an amazing time getting back into my body's natural rhythm, waking up at 6am with the sun and going to bed around 8pm! :)
You need to bring ALL biodegradable substances: shampoo, toothpaste, and bug spray. However, you can also support the program by buying their products once you arrive. They sell all three of these products there for 40 soles.
I had a truly eye opening 2 weeks and I have A Broader View to thanks. I learned so much from being in the jungle, and it really changed the way I think about the World. I hope I can use this experience to help better my own country!

From the moment we arrived in Cusco, and we met our coordinator Beatriz at the airport, we received ongoing, wonderful support. Beatriz shared her wealth of knowledge about the history and culture of Cusco with us whenever the opportunity arose. She helped us to settle in (banking, telephone services, where to find a laundromat, and the list goes on) Throughout our time in Cusco, we had regular contact with her. She invited the two of us and other volunteers to her home to experience a wonderful Peruvian meal. Beatriz was diligent about asking how things were going at the volunteer sites, at the host family's home, if we felt well, etc. she helped us to shop for donations for different organizations.
I truly enjoyed my time in Cusco. I volunteered at two sites and found the children to be open and loving. The whole experience was very rewarding and I would recommend volunteering abroad as something everyone should consider.

The support provided in country was very impressive. If I had any questions at all they would be answered within the day. The local ABV coordinator (Beatriz) was amazing. She went above and beyond by showing me everything I needed in cusco and was also extremely helpful with any questions or concerns.
I was surprised and impressed by the simple laid back lifestyle in cusco. It was refreshing to and interesting to learn and experience day to day life here.
If working in the orphanage the girls cannot receive makeup or nail polish. Simpler items such as hair clips, bracelets, etc. are accepted. Layers are a necessity with the changing weather in cusco as well as cough drops due to the air and altitude!
My accommodation was amazing. I lived with two sisters, Cecilia and Eva, both in their fifties and their parents who are in their nineties. It was great to learn from the different generations. My host family prepared amazing food and were always so considerate to the fact I am a vegetarian. They also provided many blankets because it is so cold at night, they are truly caring people.

I definitely had a rewarding experience and am glad that I had the opportunity to come to Cusco. I'm in love with the city and the overall atmosphere and have made some amazing memories. It was hard adjusting the first week (as it is with all new experiences) but once I got comfortable and settled in the city started to feel like a new home. I truly hope I remember all that I've learned here for the rest of my life.
If you choose to go to the girl’s orphanage, spend meaningful time with orphan girls’ ages (11-17) that need and will greatly appreciate the love and warmth you will bring to them. Help the girls overcome their homework difficulties with patience and kindness. On Thursdays you will play sports with them and be part of other various activities. Overall your presence and talks with the girls will help inspire hope within them and make them feel loved. Don`t expect to make drastic changes right away but know that you are making a difference as small as it may be. In order to make the most of your time it is extremely important to brush up on your Spanish as most of the girls cannot speak a word of English. Doing so you will have a much more rewarding and fulfilling experience.

When I first left for Cusco, I was honestly really nervous. I was traveling alone to a new city, country, and continent. However, when I arrived, my worries went away because I felt safe, welcomed, and at peace with my coordinator, host family. My coordinator here in cusco took me on a tour of the city and showed me where I was going to work for the next couple of weeks. During the morning, I worked in the Unidad de Quemados at the hospital, and during the afternoon I worked in emergency at the Clinic. Working in the hospital was amazing because I was getting hands-on experience treating and working with burned patients. I saw many different kinds of burns with varying intensities, and I think that seeing these harsh realities will help me in my future career as a nurse. In the clinic, I was not able to do much. I mostly spent my time following the nurses and observing them as they gave medications to patients, because Im a prenurse I was not allowed to have so much hands-on in the Clinic. Overall, I had an amazing experience traveling and working here in Cusco.
My host family was spectacular. They gave me everything I needed and more. I had three delicious meals per day, a large room with a comfy bed, and the freedom to do what I wanted. The family was very friendly and welcoming, and theymade me feel safe and calm. The house was a short bus ride away from the hospital and clinic that I worked in, and it was veru easy to find my way around.

Beatriz was ready and waiting for us at the airport when we arrived and immediately made us feel welcome. She made sure we were comfortable with our host family then a couple of hours later took us on a tour of the area to make sure we new where all out basic needs could be met. Beatriz got my work at the school off to a great start by explaining that I had repair and construction skills I wanted to put to use. She helped the Directora and me come up with a plan to build toys for the children. Anytime I had a question or problem, and there weren’t many, Beatriz was available to help. The amount of energy that 50 or 60 three, four and five year olds can unleash during recess! It was amazing to watch these children running, screaming, roaring, climbing and generally just having fun. Even though all of these children are from seriously troubled family settings most of the children don’t yet seem to know they are disadvantaged. I hope no one ever tells them that they are. It was difficult to tear myself from the grasp of 5 or 6 children that want to continue playing with you. If you swing one child into the air then of course all their friends want to swing into the air, including the first child who now considers you to be their personal playmate. There was a hunger for attention. But probably the most difficult aspect was seeing very young children, with so much enthusiasm, intelligence and potential, facing the challenges that come with poverty, broken homes and limited resources. I can’t say enough good things about the school staff that works so hard to help shape, encourage and care for these children. Read the materials that ABV provides. I thought the “ABV Pre-Trip Guide for Peru” really covered everything I personally needed to know. Once you are on site let the person who is directly in charge of the program to which you are assigned know if you have any talents beyond those that qualified you for the official position. It just might be that the program has needs or desires that your additional talents can help fill. Look for opportunities, be creative and work to provide what the people in charge of the program want. I had a wonderful time working at a school for disadvantaged children. Not knowing exactly what I would be doing until I walked into the school on the first day of my assignment was pretty exciting. My ABV coordinator worked with the director of the school to identify tasks that could take advantage of my personal skills. I really hit the jackpot in getting to build toys for the kids from salvaged lumber, basic hand tools and a limited amount of purchased supplies. Our home stay host family was very welcoming and made us feel truly at home from the first minute we walked into their house. Our meals were of course typical of the foods routinely eaten by our host family with lots of carbohydrates and a modest amount of vegetables. Our room and bathroom were fairly typical for Latin America where room sizes are generally smaller and hot water is often only available in the shower. I felt very secure in our home and in the neighborhood. We walked or took public transportation all around the city of Cusco without any problems or fears.

From the minute I began to plan this work with my first emails to ABV to my time at the Reserve, I will say that the whole experience was very enjoyable and exciting. I have spoken to those at home about my experience at the Reserve and with ABV and I hope I have generated the interest of others here at home to do what I did. I would love to do this work again. Thanks