Volunteer in Peru - Cusco | Most Affordable Projects

Name: Volunteer in Peru - Cusco | Most Affordable Projects
Brand: Volunteering Solutions
SKU: 20994
Rating: 4.79 (106 reviews)

Read 106 reviews

4.79 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

Peru
- Cusco

Length

1 to 24 weeks

Project Types

Childcare Orphan Care Social Services Youth Education Teaching Medical Disabled Care

View Other Details

Program Details

Language

Spanish

Age Min.

Timeframe

Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Host Family

Groups

Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)

Pricing

Starting Price

475

Price Details

The costs include:
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup
- Orientation
- Accommodation
- Meals

What's Included

Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals

What's Not Included

Airfare Visa

Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024

Last Reviewed: Nov 04, 2024

Wish List

91 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteering Solutions, in association with the local organizations and NGOs, offers some interesting and affordable volunteering projects in the city of Cusco. Despite the popularity of Peru as a tourist destination, much of the population still lives in poverty, especially in rural areas. You can be a volunteer and meaningfully contribute towards the lives of these people. You can choose to volunteer for Teaching Project, Kindergarten Program, Disabled Care Project and others, depending on your areas of interest!

Students who wish to become dentists in future can also choose the Dental Elective Program and gain first-hand work experience by shadowing the professionals. Also, being such a culturally rich country, volunteering in Peru will help you to broaden your horizon and learn more about the country's history, heritage and lifestyle!

Visit Site

Apply Now

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. Learn more about how Volunteering Solutions is promoting ethical volunteering.

Video and Photos

Rewarding volunteer work in Peru with Volunteering Solutions1

Rewarding volunteer work in Peru with Volunteering Solutions2

volunteer work in Peru with Volunteering Solutions

Rewarding volunteer work in Peru with Volunteering Solutions

A Volunteering Solutions volunteer with children in Peru

Medical volunteer work in Peru with Volunteering Solutions

View All Photos

Program Highlights

Choose from a range of 8 different programs available in Cusco, for a minimum duration of 1 week to a maximum of 24 weeks.
Get a chance to do some meaningful work and gain incredible experience.
Go and explore the Inca Trails - hike up to Machu Picchu, and walk down the trails of Sacred Valley.
Go for the Rainbow Mountains trek and be amazed by nature's beauty.
Learn more about Peruvian culture & heritage.

Popular Programs

Medical Volunteer Program in Peru

Volunteers working in the medical volunteering program make a genuine contribution to staff working within Peru’s health clinics and medical centers. Volunteers mainly work in medical clinics which provide care and treatment to the people residing in the poor and underprivileged areas of Cusco.

Program Reviews

4.79 Rating

based on 106 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 82.08%
4 rating 15.09%
3 rating 2.83%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.45
Support 4.8
Fun 4.8
Value 4.55
Safety 4.85

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers

Showing 105 - 106 of 106 reviews

The overall working of the website is very good and it was really very easy to navigate. The staff was also very efficient in replying to my questions I had before applying with Volunteering Solutions. I also enjoyed working at my placement as it is been a very rewarding experience and I value the memories i have made. The children were great and I managed to connect with them despite not knowing much Spanish. The host families have been very accommodating. Food has been good. Overall my stay has been very enjoyable.

I had the opportunity to volunteer in cuzco,Peru for six weeks, in La Escuela Don Jose de San Martin, a special-ed school.
Words can not express the happiness I felt there,not only i the school, where I was surrounded by special kids, their pure-loving souls, but to also in the voluteer house, where I felt loved by Luisa, our personal cook and 'Peruvian Mother' .
The program itself is GREAT.Jenny (local coordinator) is extremely helpfull, she answerd all my questions, and offerd me more things ( I am a Hospital Clown , she invited me to go to hospitals) and was attentive thout all rhe programm.

Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Can i volunteer from a biomedical science student background?

The site says "Pre-med, nursing, and medical students" and biomedical science is like a pre-med degree, so we assume the answer is yes. Contacting the program for their answer is also never a bad idea :)

By Go Overseas on March 29, 2018

Can student from pharmacy background can volunteer?

Yes they can do that.

By Volunteering Solutions on January 4, 2021

See all 2 answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I heard of a colleague who was using the program. I knew I wanted to travel and volunteer. Other programs that I had researched were either too pricey or did not fit what I was looking for. I liked that you did not need prior experience - that you can opt for volunteering for a short amount of time, such as two weeks.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I organized everything on my own. I am not a student at a university. The application process was simple and straightforward. I would also get occasional email reminders and the service team responded within a day. You only need your passport and the information for your arrival. There are a few simple questions to answer and that’s about it.

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I’m not sure if there is anything. The recommended lists were a little under-explained. And the ones answering the questions prior to leaving were more like a third party. I would say, if you have questions prior to leaving, know that you are most likely speaking with someone not directly related to that specific project and do not be afraid to keep asking until you get an answer.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

In Cuzco, I would wake up, eat a small breakfast with my host family, walk to the bus and meet another volunteer, ride to the school, and assist with the teacher with 3-5 year olds. There was a period of time the teacher would leave us alone with the kids and we had to instruct (with no given lesson plans). We would review colors, sing songs in English, color or play.

In Iquitos, I would accompany a guide who instructed me on medicinal plants of the Amazon. In the afternoon, I would accompany the director and ask neighbors if they were familiar with these plants and it’s used. I would then put the pictures and descriptions into a ppt slide.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was probably not having someone there to wait for me at the airport or train station, etc. I didn’t know where I was going and I had not spoken to the people who were to wait for me. I was just told someone would there. And fortunately, someone always was there. Had there not have been, I realize I could have called and they would have responded promptly.

What would you have done differently?

One thing I would have maybe done differently is to bring a souvenir for my host family. You definitely do not have to and it’s not expected, and you can buy a gift there depending on where you are, but knowing how well they try to care for you, I would have brought one with me.

Also, I would have put in more of an effort to do activities that were not on the agenda that I was interested in.

Daisy Rapp

Sorsha Huff

Rebecca Ceremuga

Anna McCorquodale

George Ceremuga

Sharon Umayam

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jenny Torres

Program

Volunteer in Peru - Cusco | Most Affordable Projects

Job Title

Program Director in Peru

Jenny Torres was born in Huancayo, a beautiful city nestled in the Peruvian highlands. Since 1999 Jenny has developed a remarkable career in Social and Human Development work. Currently she is committed to bring positive change in Peruvian society through volunteerism and grass-roots initiatives. As a dedicated activist in women and children's rights she provides free legal advice and counseling in her community. Since 2008, Jenny is the Country Director of Volunteering Solutions in Peru. Jenny graduated with honors from UIGV with a Bachelor of Laws. She has specialization in Social Projects Management and Social Entrepreneurship. Jenny is married and has three adorable children.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory is when my husband and I trekked to Qoyllority mountain with a group of volunteers to immerse in an ancient Peruvian pilgrimage. The adventure itself was a life changing experience for many of us.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

As a local partner from Volunteering Solutions I can say that we have a fair, democratic and flexible interaction with our headquarters. The policies and processes of services are well defined by the company, in this way we can meet or exceed the expectations of volunteers and interns.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have enriched my cultural horizons interacting with volunteers and interns from different continents and backgrounds. Besides that, I have developed more self confidence to embrace big challenges in my life.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Trust, delegation, commitment and responsibility in their local partners.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

I felt really proud to be part of Volunteering Solutions team when PRONOEIs (Peruvian rural kindergartens) achieved their annual goals with the support of our volunteers. Volunteerism plays a very important role in my community for social and human development.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

A returning student that had come in a group year ago told me that a girl, who was member of that past group, has become a social entrepreneur. She has a company that delivers high quality glasses to under developed countries at very affordable prices to improve their life.

Location

Location:

Cusco

Currency:

Peruvian Sol

Weather:

Jan-Mar

66 F / 43 F

Apr-Jun

66 F / 34 F

Jul-Sep

68 F / 34 F

Oct-Dec

70 F / 43 F

Airports:

Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport

( CUZ )

Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.

About Volunteering Solutions

Since 2007, Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) has been working with the aim of providing support to the underprivileged societies of the world in order to make a difference. Over the last 17 years, VolSol has placed more than 20000 volunteers across 26 countries in different parts of the world. Meant essentially for high school, college and...