Great experience!

When my sister told me about one of her friends that volunteered through a children program from global crossroad I got interested instantly. She had an amazing experience and at this point I was extremely interested in volunteering. After I discussed this with my close friends and my family, I decided to contact them. The initial contact was very promising, they are pleasant, communicative and explain their programs very well. From the several programs in their portfolio I decided to select the Peru children program because of two basic and simple reasons: 1. I love South America, 2. I adore children.

So, from then on everything went on smoothly all thanks to my coordinator Angelika. She was truly great, really patient and ready to answer all of my questions fast and to assure me that everything will be great. In no time everything was arranged and I travelled to Peru. My host mom was amazing. To be honest I was little scared and confused when I first arrived, but she calmed me, showed me around and told me that everything will be ok. That was really motivating and enlightening for me at that point. After that I got accommodated fast and things got great. Throughout my stay she was amazing and she told me stories about other volunteers she hosted. Indeed she is a great person, tens of volunteers hosted by here, isn’t that amazing? She treats her volunteers like family members and that was the case with me as well.

Me working with children was life changing. I tutored them to learn English, both writing and speaking. This nice group of entertaining and positive kids has indeed changed my life and way I see life. They don’t have much money and material things, but they are surely happy, positive and willing to learn and educated themselves to be great.

I traveled with bus which was totally ok. When we were at home, my host mom use to talk and spend time with me eating or drinking coffee. We also went for walks and ate out in traditional restaurants some-times. I’ve met so much wonderful and positive people, tasted so much unique traditional meals.
Usually I went to the school early and I did spent more time than needed with the children, because I loved it. They seemed very interested in my country and asked a lot of cute questions. I guess it was because of their age. When we finally said good bye, it was so emotional, I felt really connected with them, I really hope I will see them again.

After the program ended, I went on several traditional places arranged through Global Crossroad. Puno/Lake Ticitaca and of course Machu Picchu were the places I visited. Again I met some interesting people and with the local representatives of Global Crossroads. They were welcoming, warm and I’ve really spend some really entertaining times with them.

At the end this indeed changed my life in a more positive way. I returned home with great amount of energy, motivation to do better in life and to value the things that truly matter. My experience with Global Crossroad was astonishing. Everything from beginning till the very end was truly amazing! I’m glad I found them!