Being that it was my first time volunteering abroad I was a little nervous about what to expect, but the moment I was picked up by one of the staff members as soon as I arrived to the airport I started to feel less nervous, and when I arrived to my home stay I couldn't be more satisfied. Not only was the accommodation incredibly comfortable and spacious, but the host family was super hospitable and caring. I loved being immersed into an entirely different, yet beautifully new humbling culture, and to experience living as a local was the best feeling ever. The most rewarding part besides the wonderful site seeing was the actual medical project I volunteered at. It was such a rewarding an fulfilling feeling to help the locals who were in much need. I can't wait to go back next year! I am a new person thanks to you IVHQ!!!!!

From the moment I found out I was accepted I was nervous, excited, scared. Because this was the second time for me going out of the country and the first time going alone. Feeling scared and nervous was an understatement BUT from the moment I arrived in Lima I felt the exact opposite. I was greeted by Wilmer my driver with a sign that said my name. He was very nice! I had the amazing chance to to stay at the volunteer house. I shared a room with two other females and just the overall cleanliness of the house and really everything was great. Throughout my time in the volunteer house the food was good, the volunteers were all so nice and very diverse! Lots of volunteers from all over the world! and the family that lives there were the nicest people I have ever met! The program itself was great! I did childcare and worked at a preschool in Pachacutec. We do have to take public transportation but a coordinator was with us the entire time. (Shoutout to EMMA! best house coordinator ever!) I felt safe the entire time we took 2 modes of transportation a bus and then a little van thing. Emma, and either Daniela or Sayela always made sure we were on the busses and they always did headcounts! (we didn't loose anyone) The program itself was amazing! I got to work in a classroom of 4 year olds with 2 teachers. They didn't speak any english so it really tested my Spanish. WHICH I LOVED! I would help with various things in the classroom. (prepping project materials, passing out sheets, helping students with various things) we also helped supervise during outdoor play. The days were very fun and busy! And we would get back in time for lunch and have loads of time to chill/explore/take naps etc. We were in San Miguel and from there you can take Taxi/Uber to nearby areas (miraflores, Barranco etc.) after! I only stayed for 2 weeks I took a weekend trip to Machu Picchu with one of the other volunteers. The Tarpuy Sonqo directors helped me book my trip and it was AMAZING! I had so much fun! The second week was just as fun! But also bittersweet cause it was my last week. I did have some stomach troubles for a brief time and it didn't help when the water would randomly shut off (because there was construction work on a pipe nearby) . But I survived! Definitly talk to a travel doctor before you go! I was lucky enough to get some antibiotics that saved me during this time! I also got altitude medicine for Machu Picchu! (strongly advise for those doing any hiking in Cusco area) My last day was fun and sad. Sad that I was leaving the kids but grateful for everything they and their teachers have taught me in such a short time. I prepared goody bags and brought some outdoor toys from the USA for them to play with. (it's not required to bring things) but i got some donations from family members as well. The kids and staff were very appreciative! and just like that my trip was over that Sunday. I am forever grateful for both IVHQ and Tarpuy Sonqo for this opportunity. It really solidified my aspirations for working with children and it even opened a new career path. I had a child in my class who had trouble speaking not sure if he was on the autism spectrum. But because of that I have decided to pursue my masters in speech language pathology. and in my free time I want to go to different schools in different countries to help children who might not have the resources to have an SLP. This experience was truly life changing! and I will definitely be back to visit and or volunteer again.

For anyone hesitating about volunteering in Lima, I would highly suggest you just go for it! This was my very first volunteer experience and also my first time in South America (knowing very little Spanish) so I was defintely anxious at the start - but that all disappeared once I arrived there! Everyone at the volunteer house was super nice and friendly and the staff were really supportive and welcoming, which made me feel at home right away. The teaching program itself was well organized and gave the volunteers the oppotunity to work with a range of different classes and have responsibility for planning lessons, which made it a very rewarding experience. Your time and efforts are defintely appreciated there and you leave a huge impact :) I would do it again!

I taught English through this program during my spring break. I wish so badly that I had had more than a week to be a part of this. It was well organized, everyone was well-informed, and it was an amazing experience overall. Watching my students learn and grow through the classes was so rewarding, and I hope that the skills they learn take them far. I have been learning Spanish since I was 13, and it has benefited me in dozens of ways. I hope that the students in Peru understand the benefit of learning a second language. The ability to speak to an entirely new demographic of people is so amazing, especially with a beautiful language like Spanish. Additionally, I loved that we were allowed to have free time and explore Lima on our own. Sometimes I don't quite enjoy organized group activities, so it was nice being able to experience Lima on our own time and as we (responsibly) pleased. For example, I learned how to surf on my days off. Being from the inland city of Atlanta, GA, I never thought that I would be able to acquire such a skill. Not to mention I am exceptionally clumsy.

I spent a total of 5 weeks volunteering in Cusco, Peru through IVHQ. The application process was easy and straightforward. I felt supported through my application, preparation, and time in country. IVHQ was great about answering all of my questions and ensuring I was prepared for my trip. Once in Cusco, Maximo Nivel was the organization I worked with. I spent my first two weeks volunteering at Panthera Sanctuary in Puerto Maldonado, Peru for the Jungle Conservation Project. These two weeks were incredible and I would recommend it to anyone ready to leave wifi, electricity, and hot showers behind. It was so refreshing to live a simple life, working hard, and meeting new people. I also learned so much about plants, animals, and sustainability.
After the jungle, I spent three weeks teaching English in Cusco with Maximo Nivel. I spent two of the weeks teaching adults who work in the tourism industry. My last week was spent teaching English to children in an afterschool program. My recommendation is only do the teaching English to children if you have more time to give than I did. It was difficult to only be with the children for one week. All in all, I loved my experience and I feel that I learned and grew a lot. I would definitely recommend volunteering with IVHQ if you have the opportunity!

This was my first time travelling abroad, and I'm so grateful I was directed to the IVHQ program. Leading up to the program date IVHQ always quickly and thoroughly answered all my questions, made sure I was adequately prepared to travel and always made me feel safe and secure with my decision to travel with them. They also always very clearly emphasized the importance of abroad volunteer work as well as making very clear to keep realistic expectations of your project. Being in medical project there really is only so much one person can do to help, but I knew to go in with an open mind so I came out having learned so much, felt good about the work I'd done and thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cusco. Anybody looking to travel and do a little good at the same time I whole heartedly encourage them to go through IVHQ!

My experience in Cusco through IVHQ exceeded expectations. I was very hesitant as I was traveling alone for two weeks, but from the moment I got there I felt very safe. I was picked up safely from the airport which was a perfect way to start the trip feeling safe in a foreign city (and country!) alone. I was there for two weeks, over New Years where I did the Holiday Experience week which was a different project every day. I really loved this as it not only allowed me to see so many different areas of Cusco but also get to know various projects and the other people in the IVHQ program. The second week I was there I did the Construction and Renovation project which was a much smaller group and an awesome dynamic to have more of a routine every day with the same people. The volunteering lasted only half of the day so I was able to see so much of Cusco during the week as well. IVHQ recommended several activities and day trip programs that were very easy to sign up for and were already pre-approved through IVHQ which made them feel safe and each one was worth it. Highly highly recommend this program - Cusco is an incredible city and being able to give back while you are traveling is the most rewarding experience.

I've been volunteering in Cusco in November 2018. It was my first time in Latin America and I'm glad I choose Peru and particularly Cusco. Cusco is a beautiful city with so much to discover around it! You have many things to do in the city itself: the main square is amazing with a beautiful cathedral, you can go to the chocolate museum and make your own chocolate, you can go to the planetarium, you can go to Cristo Blanco and have a wonderful view on Cusco, you can go to many markets and so on! There are so much to discover and you can feel safe there. The food is amazing and quite cheap! The only thing is that I had some strugle to get used to altitude, so make sure you take medicines with you :)

Many activities can be done around Cusco during your weekends : you can go to lake titicaca, to machupichu, to rainbow mountain, to salt mines, to humantay lake. The "American Inka trail" office is really great to plan these trips. I did all my excursions with them and was never disappointed (there are in the same building than the IVHQ-Maximo nivel staff in Cusco).

The orientation on the first day was fine and clear. You can meet some people there. The IVHQ Staff in Cusco (which is "Maximo Nivel") is very nice and helpful. Don't hesitate to ask them if you have any question/problem with your program. They are checking on you at your volunteer placement and always ask if everything is fine.

My homestay was really great and people there were so nice. It was at 30min/40min from the city center on foot but there were many bus available to go to the city center in 15min. The house was very confortable and shared with 2 other volunteer girls. Our "house mother" was really nice and cooked many peruvian dishes for us.

I was voluterring in the animal care project and enjoyed it too. I first went to the dog shelter which is a bit far from Cusco but the dogs are really cute. They really need your attention and love! And then, I went to the small rescue center and was able to take care of turtles, parrots, deers, lamas, etc. It was a really great experience and you feel like you can really help them in their day-to-day tasks!

I think that speaking spanish, at least a bit, is very helpful to make the most of your experience in your homestay and in your volunteer placement. You have very good spanish classes available with Maximo Nivel.

So don't hesitate to go to Cusco with IVHQ you won't regret it! :)