Initiative and purpose

From experience, volunteering can either be a dream or a nightmare. A nightmare if, after a bumpy 15 hour bus drive, you arrive in the middle of nowhere only to find out that you are not expected, a nightmare if the materials needed for your construction project never actually arrive, a nightmare when you're comfortable clean bedroom is in fact a rundown wooden shack where termites and fleas have set up home.
Otra Cosa was in many aspects a dream volunteering experience. As soon as I arrived I was taken care of by the team; accomodation was set up with a lovely local couple and very quickly I got to work on my project. The work in itself was highly rewarding as I taught English to adults. I've taught many different cultures in my life, but nothing was like teaching these people who have such a thirst for English; here more than anywhere, English is a way out of poverty. They are so curious and it's quite humbling to learn about them and the strides some go to to come to your classes.
But what was great about Otra Cosa, was the inititative I could take. With another volunteer we were encouraged to implement a structure, including syllabuses, so that there's more continuity for future English teachers. Ultimately, the students would benefit most from this and it was great to have the full backing of the Otra Cosa team.

Of course, what you also get at Otra Cosa is the surf, the sun and the fun! Huanchaco is so laid-back that you cannot enjoy your time there...