Great community, great experience

I was a volunteer lead teacher for HOOP in the spring of 2014. Overall it was a fantastic experience because you really got to interact with the local community and learn about the people of Arequipa. HOOP really benefits the community of Flora Tristan and its participants, the children love us and its a true joy to work with the children everyday. My Spanish was minimal but I learned a lot from the locals and the children I taught. Safety is a concern, especially in the community of Flora Tristan at night, so be careful and buddy up! It is okay as long as you take the necessary precautions. In the city centre of Arequipa where you live, the nightlife is fantastic and it is a safe area to roam about. It is really fun to get to know the other volunteers, try out the interesting restaurants in town, and you bond very fast with the others in the program. My experience with HOOP was very worthwhile and I'm glad I got to experience something so different from my daily life in Vancouver!