Location
  • Peru
    • Lima
Length
1 to 18 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
100
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Older Travelers

Pricing

Starting Price
2674
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Transportation Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Jun 26, 2018
Dec 18, 2015
9 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Peru has historically been one of the poorest and most unequal countries in Latin America. Despite sustained economic growth for over a decade, distribution of wealth remains one of Peru’s greatest challenges. More than 70% of the population lives in cities, with 33% of the urban poor found in the capital of Lima. It is estimated that 1/3 of the population of Lima live in poor conditions in shantytowns like Villa el Salvador.

Join Cross-Cultural Solutions in Peru as we continue to build on nearly two decades of volunteer work in Villa el Salvador. Together we work on programs that reinforce the importance of education, health, and dignity for children, mothers, and their families. The educational, recreational, and public health curriculums we deliver targets school dropout rates and promote child health and the empowerment of families that are under-resourced.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Cross-Cultural Solutions.

Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here.

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Program Reviews

4.88 Rating
based on 16 reviews
  • 5 rating 87.5%
  • 4 rating 12.5%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.6
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 16 reviews
Alicia Harris
Alicia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Los Martincitos in Lima

So I made it to Lima, Peru three days ago & yesterday I started my first day working with the senior citizens at Los Martincitos. The elderly who attend Los Martincitos on a regular basis usually have been neglected by family, abused, socially rejected for race or age reasons, have a lack of resources to take care of themselves... Today as I walked in with the other volunteers I was expecting to see sad situations, but it was the complete opposite..There was so much life when I walked into the room. The seniors and staff welcomed us with open arms, kisses, hugs & did a welcoming ceremony for us too. After I help cut up vegetables for the cooks, I served breakfast and lunch ....Just before my shift was over I took my camera out just to take pictures of the place and this feisty beautiful soul named Delia walked into my shot and started posing haha she can't hear or speak so we communicated with each other through hand signals and gestures ...We instantly connected..Soon after she pointed to the wheel chairs for us to take a picture together , she put on these glasses.. The rest is history

What would you improve about this program?
WiFi in the house was not all day. It was from 5pm-7am. Wasn't good because my mom tried to contact me a few times and they turned out to be very important missed calls.
104 people found this review helpful.
Signe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Travel to Peru!

I went to Lima, Peru with my community college who partners with Cross Cultural Solutions and it was a life changing experience. We met a lot of different people from families to individual people who were there by themselves. This was my first experience abroad and I want to keep traveling. I chose to do the study abroad trip with my community college to do something for myself and see how other people in the world. I think seeing other parts of the world helps you see the world with better eyes because you realize that not everyone is equal with work or there environment.
The staff was wonderful. For me the language barrier was probably the hardest thing to work with but it was a lot easier than I thought it would be and I discovered that I actually understood more Spanish then I realized I did. Everyone who works with Cross Cultural Solutions does a wonderful job at explaining all of the different programs and matching people to the different volunteer sites that are available.
The coast off of Lima is breath taking and I think that everyone should see it at some point in their life time. The architecture is beautiful and it amazes me how old architecture was built so beautifully and structurally safe.
I think that my favorite part of going to Peru with Cross Cultural Solutions is that I felt safe no matter where we went, wither it was with a couple of people or a bigger group of people.

What would you improve about this program?
We had the same breakfast everyday, it was really good but towards the end it was getting kind of tiring. I'm a pretty picky eater and I think that I did pretty good in Peru there were only 3 meals I think that I really didn't like, but I did try a lot of new things/ combinations of food while there.
97 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CCS Peru

My fiance and I would go back to volunteer w/CCS in a heartbeat! This was my first time traveling abroad and the CCS staff was extremely helpful and supportive. We were in Peru for 2 weeks and we were able to experience so many beautiful locations and meet amazing people. I loved the Home Base and the Director. It was awesome to feel at home, even in a country I had never been to and didn't speak the language.

What would you improve about this program?
The cost, it was somewhat expensive.
105 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aundreah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Overall Positive Experience

This program is especially thorough and safe. The staff are extremely helpful, nice, and comforting. The food was some of the best food I have ever had in my life. I am a picky eater, and had no problems. The volunteer work is productive and truly life changing, however if your main objective is just to travel or volunteer this program is not for you. This program offers a healthy mix of both which truly offers you an eclectic mix of history, empathy, and fun!

What would you improve about this program?
The program could improve the weekly activities such as Spanish lessons and dance lessons.Although they were very fun, the lessons were in the house. I often felt obligated to attend them even though I wanted to explore Peru a bit more outside of the home.
107 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Experience

Our group worked in an elderly day center and a couple of schools in the Villa El Salvador area of Lima. I have never met such warm friendly people.
No matter how impoverished or hard the lives of these wonderful people are, they all are so happy to have you with them.
Hugs every day from all the elderly residents as well as the children. They will permanently reside in my heart, I Loved the entire experience!

What would you improve about this program?
I understand the reason for the amount of time we spent at the locations each day, as it was for the safety of the volunteers. But there were days I wished we could have spent a little more time with them.
100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Paty
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Peru

I only did a one week program and I enjoyed it so much that I wish I had the time to do two weeks. It was an amazing experience with excellent staff and plenty to do at the site. Volunteers could choose to help in the kitchen, do crafts with the seniors or even just dance. The elderly were so open and friendly when we visited; I don't think I have ever been hugged so much in my life.

The program also allows plenty of free time to sightsee in Lima and even organizes group trips to sites outside the city. If you have the time I recommend adding a trip to Machu Picchu at the end of your visit. Overall volunteering with CCS was trip that I will always remember.

100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing!! Wonderful trip!

The CCS Lima staff was fantastic. The people were so welcoming and friendly and I felt very comfortable. I never felt unsafe during my time there. My volunteer placement was a ton of fun and I they really needed my help. All of the volunteer placements in Lima need as much help as they can get. I strongly encourage others to go on CCS Lima, it will change your life!

What would you improve about this program?
If I could change one thing, it would be the price. However, I definitely feel like I got what I payed for. The accommodations were above my expectations and the staff was wonderful.
100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sheena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lima, Peru

I had an amazing experience in Lima, Peru. The CCS family in Lima was amazing to work with. They were very welcoming, the food was awesome, and they all had amazing fun personalities. My placement was at INABIF. I got to spend my days with 3 and 4 year olds. I think in the end they helped me more than I helped them. It was so amazing getting to see their bright smiling faces everyday. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of them. There were days I got frustrated because I felt like I was more of a distraction to the kids than help. My director Kique reassured me that I was making a difference which was nice to hear. My only advice is to stay longer than 2 weeks. I was just barely getting into the swing of things at my placement. Also take the time to learn the native language. You will be able to help so much more if you do.

What would you improve about this program?
I think the only improvement would be to express how important it is to learn the language. Before I left for Peru they said it was ok that I was only a beginner. I would have been able to make a bigger difference if I would have taken the time to become more fluent in the native language.
93 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Peru uses type A & C electrical outlets, which you can compare to those you use at home here: https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/us/peru/. Remember that our team of Program Specialists will also be there to guide you through every step of the process, and all questions, as you prepare for your CCS experience.