🇵🇪 VOLUNTEER IN PERU 🇵🇪

Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.

 

Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.

 

Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.

 

Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.

 

Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

PERU CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in Peru, you will provide additional support to childcare projects within the city of Cusco. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. Provide a much needed helping hand for some of the most disadvantaged and underprivileged children in the local communities as you volunteer with children in Peru.

 

Background to the Childcare Program

 

The majestic city of the Incas, whilst tourist-based and thriving, is a city of the poor. People will travel from hungry villages hoping to sell their crafts and clothes just to make enough to eat. Each year in the city of Cusco, millions of tourists visit to explore the Incan culture and venture to Machu Picchu. Although high tourism and a thriving economy exist, more than half of the population still lives in poverty.

 

Due to the inability to make enough money to support their families, tourists will encounter child beggars at all hours. Among the poverty, the ageless majesty of the Incan empire radiates from the streets of this historic city.

 

As you walk the cobblestone streets taking in what Peru has to offer, you will witness many street children. They may be posing with Llamas or adolescents pushing carts of cheese to the nearby market. You will be able to notice their features and recognise they are all direct descendants of the Andes rulers.

 

In this indigenous culture, many children are subject to troubling home environments due to low income, addiction, violence and neglect. We work with local organisations to help children that have great need. The projects range from kindergartens and daycare centres to supporting children with a range of physical and mental disabilities.

 

The kindergarten projects and those for working children are essential in restoring families. Furthermore, they are essential in providing necessary assistance to ensure children have additional support mechanisms. By completing volunteer work in Peru on these projects you are contributing so that children can be fed and educated. Ultimately, this will help children become positive citizens in their local communities.

 

Lower-class families do receive some minor assistance from the government. However, in many situations, the families still require their children to leave school and take to the streets for work. Due to this reality, local groups including police, language schools and local NGOs team up to provide support. This support includes provisions of free food, shelter, entertainment and clothing.

 

There has also been an increase in assistance for those with disabilities. In many parts of Peru, the conditions are far too rural to provide appropriate care for those with physical and mental disabilities. In Cusco, the local government has provided the necessary education and infrastructure to provide care for children of 4-17 years old.

 

Education centres and specialist schools have been developed to care for disabled children so parents can work and earn money. Such establishments focus on children with greater needs than the average child. Examples include supporting those with severe autism, bipolar, down syndrome, ADHD, Muscular Dystrophy and missing limbs.

 

Volunteer opportunities in Peru provided by PMGY will provide you with a platform to make a positive impact. When working at our childcare volunteer abroad projects in Peru, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Since many of these children will be seeking the care and attention that you as a childcare volunteer in Peru can bring. To volunteer with children in Peru, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people.

 

Childcare Volunteer Placement Examples

 

The Pronoei Project – Established as a non-formal kindergarten for low-income families, the Pronoei project provides care and education for those that cannot afford it. This organization is funded by the Ministry of Education of Peru. The program is run by a member of the community. They are known as the ‘project mother’ and maintain the centre in a teacher role.

 

The children are 3-5 years old in one combined class. The working hours for this project are 9am-12:30pm. You will be assisting the ‘mother’ with different tasks including lesson planning, playing with the children and organising workshops. Such workshops will centre around culturally improving the care of children demonstrated by staff across the local communities.

 

As you volunteer in Peru at this project, you will also assist in areas such as nutrition and hygiene. Examples of this will include preparing meals and teaching the best techniques for brushing teeth and washing hands. This project provides volunteers with the foundation to create their own daily routines. Thus, as international volunteers, you can participate in the project in whichever areas you find interest with the children.

 

The project is generally home to around 30 children with just one community teacher. Thus, volunteers can provide an essential support mechanism for the oversized community project. The facilities are overcrowded and manic. Additionally, they are small, under-resourced and condensed so volunteer support is very much appreciated!

 

The Escuela Especial San Juan de Dios – Founded as a school centre for disadvantaged children, The Escuela Especial San Juan de Dios is home to children with disabilities of both mental and physical capacities.

 

In the city of Cusco, there are only 4 schools for disabled children which makes this program so special! You will work with children with the mental capacity of those up to 6th grade. Although they reach the 6th grade level, the children can be anywhere from 3-20 years of age. The work schedule is only in the morning from 8am-1pm. At times, there are occupational training courses for older children from 1pm-6pm.

 

In every classroom, there is one teacher with a maximum of 10 children. They have only one teacher-assistant that rotates through all courses. Because of this, volunteers are very welcome as most children require individual attention.

 

In a classroom of young children, you may encounter that the group sizes average around 6 children. However, the workload is much higher than those in bigger groups and at a higher age level. The teachers try very hard to educate the children in basic skills to then pass on to future levels of education. The children will also have skills to help at home in their spare time.

 

In the higher levels, the students will learn to do activities like sewing, cooking and art. These skills can be used at home, occupational jobs and/or doing tourism-based sales like artwork or local craft. This allows you to interact on a more detailed and personal level in a skill-based environment. The younger levels are enjoyable and more informal as you sing songs, learn letters and do some painting.

 

Specific tasks that volunteers will participate in are classroom assistance, meal team and food preparation. More creative aspects include crafts and stimulation activities for those with confining disabilities. If volunteers wish they can rotate between groups during their period of volunteering.

 

At Escuela Especial San Juan de Dios there is one physiotherapist that gives therapy during school schedule. A volunteer can be assisting during their work to gain experience and help when it is needed.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Childcare Day

 

As you volunteer with children in Peru, your role involves supporting local staff with daily chores. Examples include providing volunteer support at mealtimes and with cleaning tasks. This extends to more creative support in arts and crafts, teaching English and improving hygiene skills. Volunteers should also assist with homework tasks and support local staff with planned activities.

 

The work schedule is flexible and will be set between you, the centre and our volunteer coordinator in Cusco. The local team will email you your specific project information, volunteer tasks and working hours in advance of your arrival into Cusco. You will be working on the volunteering abroad programs Monday-Friday. Please use your free time to plan for at least 3-5 hours on the project.

 

If you are up for it, take a 1 hour walk through the heart of Cusco to reach your childcare volunteer placement! Alternatively, you can take a 30 minute bus ride to reach your childcare project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.

 
 

PERU DOG RESCUE VOLUNTEERS

As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will get up close and personal to these amazing animals. Create a better life for Cusco’s street dog population. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. If you love dogs, the Peru dog rescue volunteer project is a great way to give back and make an impact!

 

Background to the Dog Rescue Program

 

As in many South American countries, Peru is home to many stray dogs. The sad reality is that many of these dogs are homeless and thus subject to illness, hunger and even abuse. The stray dog overpopulation is a growing problem in Peru.

 

Free-roaming dogs (these are dogs with owners but left to their own devices) roam freely throughout the day. Furthermore, they mate with homeless strays and thus increase the number of strays on the streets of Peru.

 

Cusco is the location of all our community projects in Peru. In addition, the city is one of the biggest hotspots of stray dogs across the whole of Peru. A tourist hotspot, authorities in Cusco typically have a pessimistic outlook toward stray dogs. More specifically, they see stray dogs as bringing illness and aggressiveness to the tourist population.

 

A city like Cusco relies heavily on tourism to boost its economy. As a result, authorities traditionally adopted a more brutal approach to managing the strays dog population through culling mechanisms. In other words, they see stray dogs as a threat and a health hazard to the economic gains that tourism brings.

 

Previously there had been no centralised government program in Peru to control the stray dog overpopulation. Consequently, the management process of controlling stray dog numbers was often left up to each local administration divisions.

 

Naturally, many disagreed with the authorities tough approach line and protests were a regular occurrence in Cusco’s main square. November 2015 represented huge progress for animal welfare workers across Peru. Most importantly, the Peruvian Congress approved the Animal Protection and Welfare Law. This law classifies animals as sentient beings. Therefore, the law punishes those found guilty of animal cruelty with 3-5 years in prison.

 

These days, dog lovers within the Cusco community take more humane approaches to save Peru’s street dogs. Examples of this include mobile clinics, educational outreach campaigns in local schools and setting up dog shelters. Peru is our only South American destination where you can embark on a wildlife volunteering abroad project.

 

Dog Rescue Volunteer Placement Example

 

Cusco Dog Shelter – PMGY have teamed up with a dog shelter in Cusco that takes care of rescued street dogs. The shelter is home to approximately 125 dogs that receive food and care daily. There are two staff members that work at the shelter full time. Subsequently, such staff members will be the local support for Peru dog rescue volunteers when at the project. Just like at your host family, good Spanish language skills are recommended to communicate fluently with the staff members.

 

Our dog shelter project allows you as a volunteer in Peru to experience your love of animals. Working at the centre of the project as part of your international volunteering, your daily tasks will make a positive contribution. Moreover, the care and wellbeing these rescued dogs receive will greatly improve. Here is a selection of some of the main things you can expect to get involved in during the week:

 

• Assisting the local staff with the care of the animals
• Feeding the dogs
• Playing and enrichment activities with select dogs
• Cleaning the shelter
• Helping with general maintenance
• Local support campaigns within Cusco
• Showing off your creative side to dynamically raise awareness about animal issues in Cusco

 

Peru dog rescue projects typically receive little to no government funding or assistance. Therefore, volunteer support and contributions are a big help to the project that otherwise can receive limited help. In short, if you have a love for dogs, then this project is for you! We have availability from 1 week upwards on the project. Furthermore, you will volunteer typically across the morning periods Monday to Friday. Older clothing for the project is recommended as are shoes that you do not mind getting dirty!

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

 

When completing volunteer work in Peru at the dog shelter, you will be helping with the daily chores. As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will help with cleaning and feeding. Other activities include enrichment activities, maintaining hygiene and general upkeep of the shelter. Participants also help support local campaigns on an ad-hoc basis when volunteering with animals. The volunteering hours are typically from 9am-12pm on a Monday-Friday basis.

 

If you are up for it, take a 1 hour walk through the heart of Cusco to reach your dog shelter volunteer placement! Alternatively, you can take a 30 minute bus ride to reach your dog shelter project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.

 
 

PERU ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in Peru, you will provide additional support to local teachers across the city of Cusco. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. The basic education and English learning focus provided in the Peruvian school system are not enough. Hence, volunteer support can make a big difference when participants decide to teach English in Peru.

 

Background to the Teaching Program

 

Peru isn’t one of the most advanced of the South American countries regarding the education system. Much of the Peruvian curriculum focuses on tradition and history. As a result, core areas including Maths, Science and communication are not widely understood at an appropriate level.

 

In Peru, there are three languages that are spoken including Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. The English language is very important in many regions of the country due to tourism. However, many of the educators are poorly trained and left responsible for oversized class sizes. As a result, the overall quality of education is poor.

 

Other contributions for lower levels of education may be the lifestyle of many families along with their economic status. In Peru, low-income families will require children to work in the evenings. Such work may involve selling items in the markets or collecting rubbish.

 

Children with higher-income families will have opportunities to study further and improve their levels of English. They can benefit from opportunities at specialised language schools and language institutions. Consequently, prospects improve and knowledge in areas such as sports, music and social activity increase.

 

In the 1970s, nearly 40% of the population only spoke the indigenous Quechua language. This resulted in high prejudice for anyone associated with rural work such as agriculture and maintenance. Over the decades, the importance of education has been on the rise due to the importance of social status. Slowly, the Quechua language has phased out providing an alarming reality of lost tradition.

 

Well educated people from both low and high-status families are provided with the opportunity to travel the country. This extends into opportunities to work internationally with tourism and trade along with governmental positions. As a result, many of the local people request that their children are given the opportunity to learn English.

 

Aside from receiving improved levels of education with a focus in English and Peruvian history, children are also introduced to recreational activities. Many of the local schools will provide sports and hygiene assistance to ensure their young generation is fit and presentable. For the reason that they will be well-rounded when the time comes to enter working society.

 

We have teamed up with local primary and secondary schools to ensure that children are given greater opportunities to learn English. Traditionally children in Peru don’t begin English classes until they are 12 years old when they enter secondary/high school. The earlier volunteers surround themselves with English, the better their prospects and learning opportunity will be.

 

Volunteer opportunities provided by PMGY offer a platform to make a positive impact when you teach English in Peru. When working at our volunteer teaching English abroad projects in Peru, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Many of these students will benefit from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in Peru. As a volunteer teaching English in Peru, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people. Finally, there are also a range of animal conservation volunteering projects in Peru you can support.

 

Teaching Volunteer Placement Examples

 

The Colegio Francisco Sirvichi – Established as a primary school, the Colegio Francisco Sirivichi separates into two periods of education. In the mornings the school offers an all-girls program for children 6-11 years old. The afternoons are co-ed courses providing for a more interactive learning environment for children 6-11 years old.

 

At both periods of the day, you will find 30-40 children per classroom. Therefore, volunteer support will come in very handy for the local staff! Each class has one to three instructors for general education and one teacher for English lessons. The English teacher will be teaching in the morning and afternoon to massive groups of children.

 

Due to the lack of assistance and resources for teaching, the English lessons are not applied appropriately. As a volunteer in the classroom, your role is to assist the teachers. This is done by supervising the children, improving English pronunciation, correcting exams and lesson planning.

 

Colegio Francisco Sirivichi also provides opportunities for children to get involved in sports. This can help reduce the strain on oversized classes for the English lessons. The sports lessons take place outside in a local field and within the normal curriculum. Volunteers can also assist with sports activities. Activities include supervising, helping with exercises and instructing new activities.

 

Please note that the project schedule at the school is split into two-timetables. The morning will require volunteers to join from 8am-1pm. The afternoon schedule is from 1pm-6pm. Thus, when you teach English in Peru at Colegio Francisco Sirvichi it is important to adopt a flexible working attitude.

 

The Colibri Afterschool Program – Created to support struggling parents, the Colibri afterschool program was developed to help working parents after their children are released from school. This project is an afterschool program organised by the Police Department of Cusco.

 

The mission of Colibri is to provide the children with a bright and promising future. This is achieved by educating and teaching them skills that will improve their prospects. Furthermore, the project structure encourages children to become more self-sufficient.

 

The Police Department organizes recreational activities, such as painting, dancing, drawing, etc. for the children that join this program. When the volunteers are present, they can organize these activities according to their skills.

 

The children are also often victims of domestic violence (emotional and physical) and abuse. Due to this, there is a high importance that the project has upbeat and patient volunteers! The project is especially rewarding for those that want to stay for longer periods of time. This is because they can develop deeper relationships with disadvantaged children.

 

The program will engage volunteers with children aged 5-15 years old. These children either work in the street or have mothers who work into the late evening. The project runs from 2pm-6pm on weekdays. Numbers can range greatly at this project from 15 children one day to 45 children the next day.

 

As a volunteer in Peru, you will organize and teach crafts, art, music or areas they have an interest in. The children will be taught English and assisted with homework. Volunteers are encouraged to provide lots of motivation and support at the Colibri project.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Teaching Day

 

Volunteer work in Peru involves supporting the local teachers during the class schedule. This involves helping to prepare classes, tutoring students and interacting with them during class breaks. Volunteers will generally work as teacher assistants, but there may be times where volunteers lead classroom activities.

 

The teaching program can be both morning and afternoon based. The local team will email you your specific project information, volunteer tasks and working hours in advance of your arrival into Cusco. You will be volunteering at the project Monday-Friday. Please use your free time to plan for at least 3-5 hours on the project.

 

If you are up for it, take a 45 minute walk through the heart of Cusco to reach your English teaching volunteer placement! Alternatively, you can take a 30 minute bus ride to reach your English teaching project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.

 
 

PERU MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS

As a Peru medical volunteer, you will gain first-hand insight and exposure to the Peruvian healthcare system. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. We support a range of public and private clinics across the city of Cusco. The better your Spanish, the more you can communicate and ask questions with the local doctors and nurses. As a result, more will be gained from your medical volunteer experience.

 

Background to the Medical Program

 

Since the mid-1990’s there has been a specific focus on improving the available healthcare provisions across Peru. This is a direct result of the death of over 9,000 people from a Cholera outbreak. Consequently, it was a devastating hit to the population and opened the eyes of many government officials.

 

Following this epidemic, the government invested millions of dollars into health care. The objective being, to ensure care providers and facilities were available to all areas of the country. One of the most impactful developments in the Peruvian healthcare system was the construction of 15 hospitals nationwide.

 

The government hoped that such efforts would see patient care numbers would improve by 40%. Over time, the government has created different forms of government based assistance and insurance options. This ensures that citizens can receive necessary care and Peru’s medical system is constantly improving.

 

In Peru, the health system is split between two sectors, private and public. Like much of the Western world, there is an insurance system that determines the level and quality of care. The insurance is split into two systems.

 

Firstly, there is the Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) which has no health insurance. Secondly, there is the Peruvian Ministry of Health and EsSalud (EsSalud), which is covered through employment for working families. The clinical settings provide care to those from all coverages. This is because they have the ultimate focus of caring for all Peruvian citizens.

 

The SIS aims to protect those from the most vulnerable populations. Most noteworthy, it cares for about 18% of these groups who come from mostly rural and urban areas. Specifically where poverty is greatest within these areas. This coverage also assists pregnant women and men over the age of 17 who suffer from extreme poverty.

 

The EsSalud is the coverage of the employed. It is much like the US system in the sense it is contributed to by employers. Roughly 20% of the population, including the working class, retirees and their families fall under this form of insurance. These forms of insurance are maintained by the Ministry of Health (MINSA). They also provide alternative health services for most of the remaining population who do not fall into these categories.

 

In Cusco, much of the medical care is provided within hospitals throughout the city. The active coverage comes from the two forms of insurance described previously. MINSA provides financial support in many of the clinical settings. This is due to local citizens being seen by medical professionals regardless of their coverage.

 

Many Peruvians express that they are forced to wait for extended periods to receive care. For the reason that resources, funding and medical professionals are all lacking within the medical field. This is even regardless of whether the citizens have insurance or not.

 

Due to this, many clinics are being managed locally or privately. The clinics will specialise in certain areas providing a faster process for general needs and appointment to specialists. This is where you as a medical volunteer abroad in Peru can help immensely! In clinics across Cusco citizens will line up as early as 5am to see a doctor or nurse. They will then receive either direction to a specialist or be provided with general care.

 

Volunteer opportunities in Peru provided by PMGY will provide you with a platform. Such a platform that allows for valuable exposure to medicine and healthcare projects within a new culture. For the reason that many of the facilities, procedures and operations you observe will be completely new to you.

 

More specifically, they will be completely different from how things are done in your home country. As a medical volunteer in Peru, you will need to schedule your time and skills effectively to make the most out of your project time. This is to ensure you can maximise exposure and learning opportunities at the project.

 

Should Peru medical volunteers wish to consider alternative or additional projects, our medical volunteer projects in India is recognised as our leading medical volunteer opportunity. For the reason that volunteers receive high exposure and involvement across a range of placement and project settings.

 

Medical Volunteer Placement Examples

 

Centro de Salud Picchu La Rinconada – The primary health care centre in Cusco is Centro de Salud Picchu La Rinconada. This clinic offers free care for those that are unemployed in areas of general practice. This extends to support provided in psychology, gynaecology, dentistry and laboratory. The clinic will care for 200+ patients on a daily basis.

 

This clinic will allow volunteers to observe and assist the doctors with general practices like taking vitals, sugar tests and documentation. Areas of exposure for medical students include consultation, women’s health and minor surgery. This extends to observing medical staff and involvement in community projects and immunizations.

 

If you are a long-term volunteer you can assist in the laboratory. You can also work in ‘Nino Sano’ where the nurses record children’s weight, height and provide vaccinations. The clinic will proudly arrange community programs if volunteers wish to donate and participate in health campaigns while on the project.

 

The 02 Medical Network – Established as a private care provider, the 02 Medical Network is made up of different health services. This includes inpatient care, home support, air-medical transportation, critical hyperbaric treatment, trauma and medical home care. The majority of patients will be travellers who suffer from varying illness. Examples include altitude sickness, motor-vehicle accidents, tropical-disease, dehydration, minor surgery and dental care.

 

Volunteers will typically join this clinic in the mornings. However, depending on your interest and schedule it may be an afternoon schedule. Activities during your volunteer hours will include assisting the doctor or nurse with care and laboratory analysis. Moreover, if you speak an intermediate level of Spanish, translating to patients can also be required.

 

Medical staff typically speak a good level of English. Furthermore, they will provide volunteers with a great opportunity to learn in a variety of settings. However, International volunteers who have a better understanding of the Spanish language will have an improved volunteering experience.

 

Escuela Especial San Juan de Dios – This project is based at the primary school Escuela Especial San Juan de Dios. The primary school is one of four special education institutions located in Cusco. This project will provide children with mental and/or motor delay the opportunity to receive physiotherapy and assistance. The children will be ages 3-20 years with the highest mental knowledge of 6th grade students (13 years).

 

As a volunteer in Peru, you will mostly interact with older children assisting in occupational workshops. The skills will provide the children with the ability to provide for themselves or assist with income for the family. There is only one physiotherapist in the school assisting 10-15 children a day. One-on-one assistance and occupational therapy from volunteers are a big support to the local teachers.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

 

When you complete volunteer work in Peru, you can assist in both community health programs and clinical settings. Usually, the clinics are made up of a range of small departments from paediatrics and general practitioner to maternity and dentistry. Naturally given the relative small clinic setting, the departments are on a small scale in comparison to a big government hospital. Consequently, volunteers should be willing to gain exposure to a range of departments within the clinics.

 

Volunteers will spend most of their time observing within the clinics in Cusco. In some cases, the hospital staff may provide the opportunity to get some hands-on experience. Examples include helping with blood pressure, immunizations, health screenings and community awareness programs.

 

The ability to apply yourself on the project will be reflected largely by your level of Spanish. The better your Spanish, the more the doctors and nurses can communicate with you. As a result, the more the medical staff will be able to trust you. Therefore, you will enjoy your volunteering experience greater as a Peru medical volunteer.

 

In general, you will join volunteer on the medical projects in Peru Monday-Friday. The project will begin at 8am each day to ensure you get a busy morning. The average time on the project will be 3-5 hours finishing in the early afternoon or time off requested completion.

 

If you are up for it, take a 45 minute walk through the heart of Cusco to reach your medical volunteer placement! Alternatively, you can take a 30 minute bus ride to reach your medical project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.

 
 

PERU WILDLIFE RESCUE VOLUNTEERS

As a Peru wildlife rescue volunteer, you will get up close and personal to some amazing animals. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. As a Peru wildlife volunteer, you will help care for a variety of different species of animals. Most noteworthy, animals who are endangered, poached or displaced from their natural habitat.

 

Background to the Wildlife Rescue Program

 

As in many South America countries, Peru is home to an abundance of wildlife. The sad reality is that much of this wildlife is vulnerable to wide-ranging forms of mistreatment. Examples include more localised problems such as abandonment or a failure to properly feed and house animals. However, wider-spread systematic forms of cruelty are also prevalent. For example, bestiality, illegal trafficking and raising animals to fight.

 

In 2015, the Peruvian Congress has passed animal cruelty laws which mandates criminal penalties for animal mistreatment. Since a series of animal-cruelty cases went viral. Naturally, this is not a good perception of Peru as a country or as a tourist hotspot. Such penalties for animal mistreatment range from fines to prison sentences.

 

However, many Peruvians would argue that more can be done and enforced by Congress and law enforcement in protecting Peru’s wildlife. Specifically, when it comes to wild animals, tourist traps and endangered species. Nowadays, there are many rescue centres and sanctuaries enforcing action upon themselves against animal mistreatment. The main mechanism to achieve this is through education.

 

Education is considered as the most important factor to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts. In addition, education is also the reason that justifies the existence of a wildlife sanctuary or wildlife rescue centre. Through engagement, information and communication, stronger respect and understanding for nature, wild animals and endangered species can be achieved. Not only this, but wildlife rescue centres also play a big role in recovery programs, animal rehabilitation and reproduction programs.

 

Wildlife Rescue Volunteer Placement Example

 

Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary – PMGY have teamed up with a family ran wildlife rescue centre in Cusco. The centre is dedicated to rescuing animals that have suffered any forms of mistreatment. For example, rescuing animals from illicit trafficking or those that have suffered physical neglect from former owners or evil poachers.

 

The rescued animals are put under the care of the forest rangers at the wildlife sanctuary. As a volunteer in Peru, you will play a vital role in supporting the forest rangers. In the same vein, as an animal volunteer you will work alongside the rangers to complete core tasks at the project. Such tasks for Peru wildlife volunteering include:

 

• Taking care of the animals
• Assisting with cleaning and general maintenance
• Support with feeding the animals
• Helping with any medical treatments required
• Assisting in any educational programs
• Help build new houses on-site

 

Since 2007, the wildlife rescue centre has been sheltering wild species. Moreover, many species are endangered. The Andean Condor receives special consideration at the centre and is the primary focus of the program. Most noteworthy, because its population has been seriously decimated in recent years. This is all inflicted by human activity. More specifically, the feathers of the bird are sold as souvenirs for tourists. This activity stimulates illegal hunting for these magnificent birds. Efforts at the centre are being made to encourage reproduction in captivity with the aim being to release the young Condors.

 

There is a range of other animals at the centre that you as a volunteer in Peru will encounter during your time. For example, pumas and small bears that had been drugged and used for entertainment purposes can usually be found here. In addition, there are many special types of birds to be found at the centre. A hawk who lost one of his eyes because of human hunting cannot hunt anymore in the wild and has been displaced to the centre. Other animals at the centre include foxes, turtles, monkeys, deer, alpacas, llamas and more!

 

On a broader level, the sanctuary has a range of programs that you as a Peru wildlife rescue volunteer can support with. For example, educational campaigns at local schools, recovery projects for sick and mistreated animals and reproduction programs for endangered animal species as exemplified with the Andean Condor.

 

Our Peru wildlife volunteering project allows volunteers and interns to experience their love of animals during their time in Peru. Working at the centre of the project as part of your international volunteering, your daily tasks will make a positive contribution. Moreover, the care and wellbeing these rescued animals receive will greatly improve. The sanctuary cares for all types of wildlife animals. Ultimately, the long-term aim of the project is to liberate the rescued animals back into natural environments.

 

Peru wildlife rescue volunteer projects typically receive little to no government funding or assistance. Therefore, volunteer support and contributions are a big help to the project that otherwise can receive limited help. By choosing to work closely with this wildlife project in Peru, your support as a Peru wildlife volunteer will be much appreciated by those connected at the sanctuary.

 

In short, if you have a love for wildlife, then this project is for you when visiting Peru! We have availability from 1 week to 4 weeks on the project. Furthermore, you will volunteer typically across the morning periods Monday-Friday. At this project, all animals have had their required vaccinations. Older clothing for Peru wildlife volunteering is recommended as are shoes that you do not mind getting dirty!

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

 

When completing volunteer work in Peru at the wildlife rescue centre, you will be helping with the daily chores. As a Peru wildlife rescue volunteer, you will help with cleaning and feeding. Other activities include enrichment activities, medical assistance and general support for the local project staff. The volunteering hours are typically from 9am-1pm and/or 2pm-5pm.

 

In order to reach the wildlife rescue project, you will need to catch the public bus, and this takes around 30 minutes. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.

Flights

 

After confirming your place on a PMGY volunteer program, we strongly advise that you book your flights as early as possible. This is since it will help ensure that you get the lowest airfare. You can choose to book your flights independently or we can help you with arranging them. PMGY has a wealth of experience in travelling to and from our host countries. Therefore, we know the most affordable ways to travel and the best airlines to use. Therefore, if you would like any assistance booking your flight, you can request an optional flight quote during your online application. Alternatively, feel free to contact us on the phone or by email.

 

For your volunteer trip to Peru, you should book your flights to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. The airport code is CUZ and it is located in Cusco. Participants travelling to Peru can arrive at any time on their designated volunteer Sunday program start date.

 

Travel Insurance

 

Importantly, having an appropriate travel insurance policy during your time abroad is essential. Therefore, it is mandatory for all of our international volunteers to be appropriately covered across all of their trip dates. This includes your travel to and from the host country, as well as any onward travel. Although PMGY does everything to ensure your trip is safe, inevitably things can go wrong. Therefore, having a travel insurance policy in place helps you effectively deal with any problems you may encounter during your time away.

 

We have partnered up with the insurance company battleface to create an affordable and comprehensive optional policy. This has been designed with our international volunteers in mind, to cover our participants for all of their travel essentials. The policy is available to anyone across the globe, up to the age of 65 years. The document will cover you for your time on any PMGY destination and any onward travel (excluding the US and Canada). You can purchase PMGY Travel Insurance during your online application or you can contact us directly to arrange it.

Our International Team will work hard to provide extensive levels of support in the build-up to your trip. From our online chat service to email support and telephone conversations, our team are always ready to help. All international volunteers with PMGY will receive a Volunteer Handbook. This detailed hand guide will provide you with all you need to know in the build-up to your trip. From visa guidance to suggested packing lists, this will be the ultimate guide, helping you plan for your volunteer trip abroad.

 

We have Facebook groups for each of our destinations. Here you can find members of our international and local teams, as well as past, present and future participants. These pages, therefore, provide a great forum for participants to network, share experiences and community updates year-on-year.

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to picture yourself abroad without yet being there. We, therefore, do our best to further manage expectations before you arrive through a variety of informative and action-packed videos on our PMGY Vimeo channel. These clips help provide you with a visual perspective of what you can expect during your time volunteering with us. Our webinars are not to be missed either. Running on selected Tuesdays, at 4pm UK time, our International Team provides invaluable advice for your upcoming trip. Each webinar covers something different. Our pre-departure webinar covers all of the essentials you need to know and do before joining us abroad. Our program preparation webinar is more project-specific, with advice and information for the time you will spend on placement. Finally, our safety webinar offers you some top tips on how to manage your safety and wellbeing across the pond. For those who are simply interested in learning more about PMGY, our team also run an introductory webinar. This provides an introduction to the volunteer organisation, our background, goals and volunteer opportunities overseas.

 

Teaching and childcare participants may wish to take their program preparation even further, through a 60 hour online TEFL course. This is the perfect introductory course for working with children and teaching English abroad. Participation in this course enables international volunteers to acquire key skills whilst working towards an internationally accredited certificate.

Our volunteer projects are based in the south-eastern region of Peru within the city of Cusco. Cusco was once the capital of the Incan Empire. This UNESCO World Heritage site rests at an elevation of 3,400 metres above sea level. The city now hosts more than 2-million tourists each year, many of whom are on a journey to visit Machu Picchu. A trip to this World Wonder provides individuals with an opportunity to learn about the origins of Quechua people. While visiting Cusco, you will feel an overwhelming presence of history and culture!

 

Although historical, the city has all the amenities you could require, such as banks, hospitals, nightlife and shops. There is also a train station to take you to the many different regions of the country. The taxi system within the city is very easily navigated.

 

Cusco is a city that you can’t miss while making plans in South America. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. People from all around the world travel to the country to witness its beauty with their own eyes! The centre of the city is a combination of old and new. It is indigenous and foreign, which energises the city and leaves everyone buzzing to see more. One of the highlights of the city is waking up early to the sun rising from behind the hills surrounding Cusco. You can lace up your hiking boots, grab a bottle of water and head out on a 2 hour hike to the Temple of Moon. This is just one landmark that lies within a short distance from many of the volunteer homestays. Cusco is an explorer’s paradise!

 

Our programs in Cusco run from 1-12 weeks, beginning on the first and third Sunday of each month.

PMGY’s volunteer opportunities in Peru program are run by our dedicated and experienced in-country local teams.

 

All staff have been fully vetted by our International Team. The committed local community networks provide the structure for your stay with us as a volunteer in Peru. Our local team will arrange your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, in-country orientation and 24/7 emergency support. Whether you are teaching English in schools or interning in medical clinics, our local team will support you. Our team provides a great framework for you to enjoy a unique volunteering experience with us in Peru.

Your orientation for your volunteer program in Peru will begin on Monday at the Spanish school. This is also where you will find the offices of our local team. Usually, a member of the host family will show you how to navigate to the Spanish school on your first day.

 

Across the morning, our local team will teach you about life in Peru and ‘dos and don’ts’. Your orientation will continue with an introduction to the transport system. Our team will also talk through safety advice and all the projects volunteers in Peru support in the community. Depending on your program, your morning may also involve visiting your project location.

 

You will also learn about the history of the Spanish school and its origins. Most noteworthy, you will find out about the learn Spanish in Peru schedule should you have signed up for Spanish lessons. Alternatively, if you are yet to sign up for Spanish lessons then you can arrange this during your orientation day. Furthermore, our local team will inform you about the weekly social activity participants can engage with. For example, cultural activities like salsa dancing and cooking lessons for local delicacies!

 

The local team will also give you a presentation at the office to develop your knowledge and understanding of life in Peru. More specifically, they will teach you about customs, how to greet people, popular places in the local area and where to find ATMs or change money. The presentation usually lasts around 45 minutes.

Please make sure you arrive into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) on Sunday.

 

Day 1 (Sunday) Arrival

 

Welcome to Peru! You will be met at Cusco airport by your homestay parent(s) who will be holding a name sign. The journey to the accommodation will take around 15 minutes, depending on traffic. You will have the rest of the day to relax and settle in.

 

Day 2 (Monday) Orientation

 

Your orientation as a volunteer in Peru will begin on Monday at the Spanish school. This is also where you will find the offices of our local team. Usually, a member of the host family will show you how to navigate to the Spanish school on your first day.

 

Across the morning, our local team will teach you about life in Peru and ‘dos and don’ts’. Your orientation will continue with an introduction to the transport system. Our team will also talk through safety advice and all the projects volunteers in Peru support in the community. Depending on your program, your morning may also involve visiting your project location.

 

You will also learn about the history of the Spanish school and its origins. Most noteworthy, you will find out about the learn Spanish in Peru schedule should you have signed up for Spanish lessons. Alternatively, if you are yet to sign up for Spanish lessons then you can arrange this during your orientation day. Furthermore, our local team will inform you about the weekly social activity participants can engage with. For example, cultural activities like salsa dancing and cooking lessons for local delicacies!

 

The local team will also give you a presentation at the office to develop your knowledge and understanding of life in Peru. More specifically, they will teach you about customs, how to greet people, popular places in the local area and where to find ATMs or change money. The presentation usually lasts around 45 minutes.

 

Days 3-6 (Tuesday-Friday) Volunteering Begins

 

You will start your volunteer work in Peru on Tuesday with an induction to your placement. Our local team will meet you as per the time on your first-week schedule for the project. Moreover, the local coordinator will introduce you to the project staff. Similarly, they will explain the travel routes to get too and from the project from your homestay. This usually involves a local bus journey. You will be emailed your first-week schedule from the local team around 1 week before your arrival into Peru.

 

Should you need anything whilst at the project, remember our local team are only a phone call away. You will see Peru coordinators throughout the day at the Spanish School. This is located walking distance from the host family accommodation. In addition, coordinators will visit the projects from time to time. The team is always happy to help and hear how your volunteer work in Peru is progressing.

 

There is also an optional weekly evening activity for participants to join every Wednesday. Activities vary on a weekly basis. They include salsa classes, Peruvian cuisine classes and day trips to local Incan museums.

 

The weekly activity changes on a weekly basis to keep the variety. Some of the activities may have small fees associated with them for logistics and materials. In addition, the activities usually require a minimum number sign up to ensure they run. The best part of these activities is that you are interacting with your peers and other Spanish speaking locals. Such an experience allows volunteers to learn Spanish and the culture of this beautiful country.

 

Finally, the team try and hold weekly feedback with participants every Thursday. They usually take place in a one to one format with a member of the local team. Furthermore, the meeting takes place at around 6pm before the weekly social activity begins. Based at the Spanish school, the meetings give you a chance to give the local team feedback on your experience in Peru. Consequently, if there are opportunities for improvement or issues to be addressed the team can handle this pro-actively. As a result, your experience in Peru will hopefully improve.

 

Days 7-8 (Saturday-Sunday) – Weekend!

 

After a week of volunteering, it is your time to explore the wonders of Peru. Whether you are delving deeper into Cusco, travelling to Rainbow Mountain or more adventurous activities trekking to Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu – Peru has it all. As a volunteer in Latin America, our team both welcomes and encourages participants to explore the country’s wonderful treasures. They will be very happy to help you plan your weekend opportunities and outline any travel tips. There are also set dates across the year in which our local team help to organise trips to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

 

The Following Weeks

 

Your next week(s) will follow a similar pattern, as you will be volunteering from Monday-Friday. Weekends will be free to travel. Time will fly so make sure you make the most of it. Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want some advice for weekend travel plans or just need someone to talk to, they are there for you.

 

Last Day (Saturday)

 

Saturday is your last day with PMGY. If you are heading home then your host family can help you arrange your return airport drop off. Please note that this is not included in your Program Fee.

If you have not travelled much before, it is really hard to know what to expect. When anticipating their time overseas, many international volunteers (and their loved ones) are often concerned about safety and security. Although we can never guarantee volunteer experiences to be 100% trouble-free, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe as possible. Every program that PMGY offers has been personally inspected and selected by a director of PMGY. We have lived in the accommodation, experienced the orientation and worked on the projects. Through our frequent visits and daily communications, we have built strong, trusting relationships with our local staff.

 

In the unlikely event that something was to happen, participants have various layers of support available to them:

 

• Volunteer in Peru Local Team
• Project Staff
• PMGY International Team

 

Projects are monitored on an on-going basis to gauge participants’ experiences. With the help of feedback, we are able to continually improve our placements and participants opportunities. Security and safety are frequently assessed as part of this. We ask our participants to raise any concerns with our local or International Team. This ensures that these can be addressed and/or resolved as readily and appropriately as possible.

 

Through pre-departure and in-country guidance, we do our best to prepare our international volunteers for their time in Peru. All participants are provided with a comprehensive safety briefing during their orientation period. Our local teams will go through everything from project introductions, to emergency procedures, how to use local transport and Peruvian culture. During this period, our team also provide participants with a full list of the important contact numbers.

 

Listed below are some general safety tips:

 

• Be modest with the amount of jewellery worn in public
• Do not drink tap water
• Be cautious of beggars or crowds. Incidents can occur when is confusion to distract you.
• Be cautious about removing money in public
• Always try to know where you are going before you attempt long journeys. Be especially careful at night
• Use reputable transport only. Our local staff will be able to recommend some during orientation
• Try to keep in groups at night and never walk alone along dark, empty streets
• The recognised tourist areas can be considered potentially high-risk areas for pickpockets and thieves
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out in the town
• For traffic safety, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly when crossing the road
• Do not accept drinks or food from strangers

Peru is a mountainous country with different climates based on the geographic location you are visiting. The climate on the coast is arid, with high temperatures and little rainfall. The Andes, where the Peru program is based, has a cool climate with rainy summers and dry winters. The lowlands are hot with rain throughout the year.

 

Temperatures you may encounter at different times of the year differ region to region. At the coast, the coldest month is in August at an average of 18-degrees Celsius. The warmest month, on the other hand, is February, at an average of 24-degrees Celsius. In the Andes, you will find the months May-September have a high of 20-degrees Celsius. The Amazon region will reach temperatures as high as 33-degrees Celsius, with an average of 15 days of rain each month.

 

Many travellers will go to Peru to visit Machu Picchu. It is important to know that the rainiest month is in February. During this period, the ruin will be closed for repairs. It is said that April-October is the best time to visit Peru in general (and Machu Picchu). These are the Peruvian winter months, and whilst these are a bit chilly, they are dry and sunny!

 

Cusco is in the Andes Mountains. In this city, the weather can change quickly. The days are consecutively sunny with a pleasant temperature. However, there are periods where the weather can become both grey and rainy. If the rain comes, there is no need to worry! The rain may last a couple of days, but it is more likely to be sunny and beautiful than rainy. Please plan for all ranges of temperature, since the Peru volunteer program is based in a mountainous region. We suggest carrying a day bag packed with a jumper, raincoat or umbrella, and maybe even a hat! However, don’t think you don’t need suncream! Peru is close to the equator, meaning that the sun can be strong.

ACCOMMODATION

• WI-FI YES (FREE)
• PEOPLE PER ROOMUP TO 3
• SINGLE SEX ROOMSYES
• WESTERN BATHROOM FACILITIESYES
• AIRPORT TRANSFER15 MINUTES
• NEAREST ATM & SHOPS10 MINUTE WALK

• BREAKFAST EGGS, BREAD, PORRIDGE, FRUIT, COFFEE, TEA
• LUNCHCHICKEN SANDWICH, RICE, VEGETABLES, SALAD
• DINNERPASTA, VEGETABLES, CHICKEN, PORK, RICE, PLANTAIN

Transport to and from your volunteer project is not included in your Program Fee. As a volunteer in Cusco, transport to your project from your host family will be by local bus routes or walking. The bus stop is located either just outside the accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.

PMGY welcome participants of all nationalities and backgrounds. The minimum age to join the program is 18 and there is no upper age limit. All participants need to have a good level of English, although it does not need to be your first language. We recommend that volunteers in Peru speak a basic to intermediate level of Spanish. Participants engaging in volunteering opportunities in Peru are only required to speak a basic level of Spanish. However, we find that the ability to speak a good level will greatly enhance your overall experience. English is generally not widely. Consequently, if you do not speak a reasonable level of Spanish, you may find it difficult to communicate. This may make your experience on the volunteer programs in Peru frustrating.

 

All participants must be able to provide a clean criminal background check in advance of volunteering with us abroad. In general, no formal experience or qualifications are required for the projects, just lots of energy, enthusiasm and preparation! Volunteers in Peru on the medical project may be required to provide additional documentation before participation begins in-country.

 

In order to confirm your place on a PMGY program, you need to pay your Registration Fee of 249 USD. The remaining fee is then due no less than 60 days prior to your program start date. During this period if you need to make a change to your trip (destination, program or date) then this can be facilitated free of charge.

 

Please check out our Application Process for more info on how to join our volunteer projects overseas.