Peru Volunteer Programs from $23/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

** Please do not forget that IVHQ is not a non-profit organisation. You pay for an advertised product, you are suposed to get what was advertised.

I was the 3rd person on this project. The second person, with whom I was volounteering, also witnessed how the project was not built and not AT ALL described as one their website*****

IVHQ Proposed me to make the project a better place for what I do not have the expertise. That is not what I paid for nor applied. Had I not complained, IVHQ would not have known the conditions of this project. The project was not built when I got there. I was sold: Brooming, walking, showering dogs, adoption campaning, playing with dogs. Nothing posted on their website was effective when I got there. It was a traumatic day. Yes I stayed a day, and left. As anyone should of. Nobody should encourage such a fraud. I was offered to change project even if they asked was were my abilities relied to THIS and ONLY project before getting there.

I did recieved emails, that's it. No refund, no compensation for the false advertisment.

The CEO accused me of expecting conditions such as in Canada which is absolutely ridiculous. This is typical intimidation and out of context.

IVHQ prey on young people who will be intimidated by such a big organisation.

Here is the email I sent to IVHQ after what I witnessed/experienced. I would add that I recived NO help from IVHQ nor refund.

I am sending you this message to share my experience at the Animal Care project in Lima. First of all, I would like to specify that this message is not about the accommodation offered nor the geographical location of the project (Pachacutec). When I applied for the Animal Care program, I expected to help communities living in extreme poverty and their dogs. Unfortunately, after a day spent at the project, I and the other volunteer found that the conditions in which the dogs were living were unfortunately more endangering them more than helping. The dogs are locked up in an extremely unsanitary place: they live in their own feces and urine. Our work as volunteers consisted in cleaning the floor with a mop that was bathed in water completely soiled, full of excrement, thick and not changed for several days. We had to spread the water, full of excrement, all over the floor. The air inside the dog house is contaminated and extremely dangerous for dogs and humans. No soap or clean water is used to wash the floor and the person who takes care of the place, the daughter of the school director across the street, has no concept of sanitation and hygiene. The dogs, all sick, are locked up alone in their excrements breathing this contaminated air and sleeping on a floor washed with used water (filled with feces) and without being changed. Once the "cleaning" task was over, we went to the park to sit for the rest of the day. The person in charge did not need any help. She spent her time on the phone negotiating prices for the school services of the school run by her father and we just sat there. We asked to change the water so that we could at least clean the floor without further soiling it, which was refused. The water given to the dog is contaminated with urine and excrement and is not changed. We just Added more water and again, we were refused to change it. The dogs are not washed or brushed and seem to suffer from poor hygiene... During the hour at the park, the dogs were eating the garbage opening bags directly from the garbage. I asked if I should stop them to avoid contamination, and they answered to let them eat the garbage. In Pachacutec, hundreds of dogs roam the streets and eat the garbage. There is no difference between these dogs and the ones kept at the Project, except that the theses dogs are locked up once the vonlontaires have left until the next day, and sleep in their excrement. Most of them are extremely sick according to the appearance of their feces... The dogs would be much better off in the wild with bowls of food and water within their reach. The young woman who runs the place has absolutely no knowledge of the safety, hygiene and health of the dogs, or that of the human beings who could catch serious illnesses from being exposed to such a level of insalubrity. I understand her intention to help, but we are not talking about insufficient financial resources but about a lack of knowledge to manage such a project. Basic knowledge of health and hygiene would solve the situation. We were informed that we were among the first volunteers to work there. When I informed her of the situation, she replied that she had never had any such comments, but we were technically, after another volunteer, the first to witness this situation. It was an extremely traumatic experience for me, an animal lover and a person who cares about helping communities living in poverty. I applied for this program to help the dogs but unfortunately, I feel like I contributed to the abuse. I hav traveled quite a lot of time to communities of extreme poverty. An animal shelter requires very few resources other than a roof, water, soap and food. I left the program this morning out of respect for my values and the dogs. I was very satisfied with the service I received from IVHQ throughout the process and with the accommodation offered, but I do not think that other volunteers should be sent to the Animal Care program in Lima for reasons of health and respect for the animals. The help sent would be all the more necessary for the child care, medical and community programs. I intend to participate in future volunteer projects with IVHQ and in no way do I question the values of the company, but I believe that there was a lack of verification of the location. I would like to be refunded for the 7 weeks I paid for working on the project, and I strongly encourage you to review the organization of this project.

This program is perfect for adventurer's that want to get off of the beaten path. I met some wonderful people and learned a lot about the most biodiverse place on planet Earth! I was initially scared of the prospect of living in the jungle for many weeks, but it isn't all just snakes and spiders! My time in the forest gave me time to reflect on questions that I have been needing to answer my whole life. If you find yourself needing a real adventure and some time away from your normal life, there are few better options.

I could spend 2 weeks in Lima to support a local community. I didn't realize the privilege I was born with till my volunteer work. Because having social security, nature around us, and breathing fresh air are privileged life circumstances that we should give more credit for. Too often we underestimate things that are in our life. The volunteer program made me realize this. It made me realize that not everyone was born to beautiful places and if you were, nothing can be more selfless and beautiful than helping others who cant say the same. We took care of children who were so loving, they shared so easily, they didn't know how much they taught us about life. I will try to always remember this and returning to volunteer again, as soon as I can. for this, I am glad, IVHQ exists, because without this organization, my life wouldn't change. As a future volunteer, you should know, these people are happy for the fact, that YOU, out there in the big world, trying to reach them out, you give your heart and time to show them some love, attention. You cannot change immediately their life, you might feel, you don't do enough while you volunteer, but you should know and understand, that the act of kindness does move mountains.

I just returned from a 2 week medical volunteering program in Cusco, Peru through IVHQ. As someone who is extremely interested in international public health, I had high expectations for this experience. As dangerous as high expectations can be, all of mine (and many more) were exceeded in these 2 weeks. Not only was I able to learn from the incredibly knowledgeable healthcare professionals in Cusco, but my understanding of the culture was expanded more than I could have hoped for. I was worried that 2 weeks would be a lot, but I know that next time I go, it will have to be for more! I didn’t want to leave. The support from IVHQ was unparalleled, and I consider myself very fortunate for having this experience and learning so much!

I’ve always had a passion to see the world- and to leave each place I visit better than the way I found it. IVHQ offered me the perfect opportunity to travel with meaning- to do my part in making the world a better place while discovering some of the hidden beauties planet earth has to offer.

I didn’t expect to fall IN LOVE with Peru, but I fell hard! From the welcoming and kind feelings from our host family, connecting with volunteers from all over the world, to breathtaking sites like Machu Picchu- every minute spent during these two weeks was something priceless. Everything we did, from volunteering to site seeing, we did as a team- as a family. I am forever grateful for that. Peru is filled with so many hard-working people, many alpacas and mountains that literally take your breath away (and not because of the altitude! but that is no joke).

IVHQ gave me more than an opportunity to volunteer while abroad. It gave me new friendships that will last a lifetime, experiences that you can’t put a price tag on, a new cultural lens, and a heart that feels so full it could explode! It’s a beautiful thing- to be able to connect with people from all different backgrounds, cultures, and corners of the world- to come together under one common desire: to help others. This was an experience of a lifetime… And I’m already planning my next IVHQ trip!

This experience gave me a lot to learn and see, thanks to the Holiday Program I got to experience the majority of the opportunities for volunteering, and I got the chance to discover what I am good at, I could learn from a lot of people, met amazing people and got to know myself better. Now I can not wait to volunteer again for more time and a new country to visit! All the volunteering activities helped me to grow and think how fortunate I am which means I have to give back some of the luck I have. The best way to do it is giving a small piece of your kindness wherever you go or volunteer.

Be a volunteer is always something that everyone wants to be. But most of the people that don't have courage enough!
My experience this year was in Peru-Cusco and it was the first time that I have done some experience like that! And I love it!
I have chosen to do Special needs care at Madre Teresa it was no doubts the best project that I could have! Plus you always can choose another programs to do!
You never feel alone, the people that you meet are unbelievable, the trips that you do are incredible and in the end you really feel that you achieve the fullfillment in life!
In the end you feel that helping another people is something that you really appreciate in life and you just want to do more and more!
So be a volunteer and enjoy your life!

This program was wonderful. Starting from the pickup at the airport, everything was taken care of. This was my first volunteer trip with IVHQ and it will not be my last. I made so many friends in this program. I recommend to anyone looking for an affordable and impactful way to travel!

All of the staff that I encountered were wonderful and the homestay felt very safe and welcoming. I was conveniently located just a few blocks from the town square as well. As for excursions, the staff was more than willing to make recommendations. I ended up doing a day trip to Machu Picchu through America Inca Trail. As for my volunteer placement, our staff member showed us how to use the public bus system in order to get there and made sure we knew what was expected of us. This was a great time!