Family Volunteering In Peru

Family volunteering in Peru really is an adventure for a lifetime for those who seek a real cultural exchange for them and their children. While adults work as teaching assistants (or teachers if they are fully qualified) in a local primary school, your children get to take part in classes, sports sessions and meet new friends from Cusco. So, although volunteering placements are associated with gap year students or empty nesters, we have found that families give and gain so much during these placements also.

Cusco, where you will be based, is famously the capital of the Inca Empire, and so while you aren’t participating in volunteer activities, you will have access to the ruins at Machu Picchu, which are accessible by train. Dominated by not only the Andes, extraordinary Quechua culture and colonial architecture, Cusco is like one big classroom really, but with lots of fun too.

You will be working with children aged 3-13, working alongside their full time professional teacher to help them gain confidence in reading, writing and of course speaking in English. If you have skills in other areas, we will be happy to incorporate them into your placement if they fit into the school curriculum.

You will be given support throughout the placement as well as training to make sure that local children can gain as much as possible from your contributions to their education. And, at the same time ensuring that you and your family leave with life long memories of having gained a wonderful, culturally immersive experience, as well as having contributed to the Cusco community in an important way.

A basic level of Spanish is preferred for this program.

Family Volunteering in Peru Gallery

What is involved

Your time volunteering in Peru will consist of teaching English and supporting the after school clubs, developing activities and supervising children individually or in groups. You’ll also play a key role in every child’s personal development, developing their language skills and confidence. Your work as a teaching volunteer will be essential in helping children in the community reach their potential, allowing the community to thrive. Family Volunteers in Peru will assist children between 3-13 years old with homework (help improve math, science, and language skills), organise artistic or sport activities and workshops or organise health workshops.

Your teaching schedule will be given to you on arrival, but the teaching day is Monday- Friday, with sessions in the afternoons giving you ample free time in the mornings to enjoy Cusco.

It is recommended that you organize workshops starting at 4PM, after most kids are done with their homework. Or after their snack (5.30/6PM). There isn’t any fixed structure for volunteering activities. There is a family atmosphere and it’s easy to propose new ideas! A basic level of Spanish is preferred for this program.

Some details

2024	2025
Jan 28,24	Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Feb 4, 11, 18, 25	Feb 2, 9, 16, 23
Mar 3, 10, 17, 24	Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Apr 7, 14, 21, 28	Apr 6, 13, 20, 27
May 5, 12, 19, 26	May 4, 11, 18, 25
Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30	Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Jul 7, 14, 21, 28	Jul 6, 13, 20, 27
Aug 4, 11, 18, 25	Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Sep 1, 8, 15, 22	Sep 7, 14, 21, 28
Oct 6, 13, 20, 27	Oct 5, 12, 19, 26
Nov 3, 10, 17, 24	Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Dec 1, 8, 15	Dec 7,14

Peru-map-01

All our Peru programs are in Cusco

Cusco is a city with 420.000 people. Because of its location in a valley, the distances in Cusco are bigger. The school is located in the center of the city. The center is located in the north of the city. The center is very lively: there are lots of bars and restaurants. The majority of our home stays are located halfway the city, about 15-20 minutes by public bus to the center. The volunteer projects are located throughout the city.

You will be living with a local family. A homestay in Peru in one of our carefully selected local guest families is one of the truly outstanding features of our program. The homestay program involves experiencing the culture of the people. It also provides more opportunity to practice Spanish and, therefore, enhances your ability to speak in Spanish. You will have the chance to try the local cuisine and home cook meals. Majority of our host families receive more than one volunteer all-year round.

You will have your own private bedroom, hot shower and most guest families have free internet access. Homestay with a guest family includes full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

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What your first week looks like

Arrival Day

Your arrival weekend will be relaxed. Your host family will pick you up from the airport and bring you to your accommodation. The next day our team will meet you and give you a local orientation so you can get to know the area you are living in. You will also be taken to your project the next day.

Weekdays

Your project coordinator or a member of the team will be taking you to the office and after introductions you can get started with the projects as well. Our team will take you to the project on your first day. In the evenings most volunteers spend it either exploring local sights, relaxing at the accommodation or preparing for projects.

Weekend

Our local team will suggest many activities for you to do! Your weekends will be free for you to explore Cusco and Peru. We highly recommend you to utilise your time so you can get to see more of the country that you are visiting. Macchu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain are a must do. Its always better to book excursions in country with other volunteers.

Weekend activities

Macchu Picchu

This ‘hidden city’ of the Incas, located on a mountain, was explored just in 1911. Macchu Picchu is a must do when in Peru.

Rainbow Mountain

For a adventure hike with incredible panoramic views, the Munnar Tea Plantations are not to be missed.

Lake Titicaca

This beautiful and secluded lake is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend getaway.

Sacred Valley

Visit these stunning sites located in the Sacred Valley. Maras is an Inca amphitheater with a depth of 150 meters.

Testimonial Videos

Family Volunteering

India

Michael & Darla Stoddart family from Canada on the India Family Volunteer Program, November 2019.

With children aged 10 and 7 we curated a program for the family where they participated on our kindergarten teaching program for 2 weeks with lots of staff support and also got ample time to explore India with their children.
Medical Volunteering

Nepal

Meet our medical students from the University of Newcastle, Australia, May 2019.

This group of students signed up to join the medical electives placement in Nepal for 4 weeks where we gave them a rotation in various departments of the hospital. Their medical placement allowed them to earn credits on their medical degree and learn from patient cases they would not normally see back home and
Women’s Empowerment

India

Isis Barei & Caitlin Neil from the UK join our Women’s Empowerment program in June 2019

These two friends came to India to participate on our empowerment program with women where they taught English and life skills to a group of women in Fort Kochi, Kerala. Living and working like locals gave them a chance to really learn about life in India, explore the area and give back to the community.
Engineering Internship

Nepal

Camilla Børsand and Baptiste Menaspa from Norway joined the Engineering Placement in January 2018.
Living in a remote part of Nepal and assisting with structural design work with local engineers and the community was an experience of a lifetime for these two students. Not only could they add this experience to their resume but they also got to learn from the challenges of working with limited resources.
Dog Care Program

Sri Lanka

Jack Tysowski from Canada joined us in August 2018 assisting at a dog shelter in Galle, Sri Lanka.

As a gap year student Jack would go everyday for about 4 hours to help the shelter that was devoted to the well-being of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka. If your passionate about dogs and love to care for them this is the program for you!
Nursing Placement

Sri Lanka

Meet our group of final year French Nursing students who got to work in well known public hospitals in Southern Sri Lanka. They got to work in several departments of the hospital where they could practice basic procedures under the supervision of expert medical and nursing teams. On the side they also got to explore Sri Lanka and truly immerse themselves into island life.
Surf & Sports Volunteer

South Africa

This volunteer program in South Africa is a great way for volunteers to gain experience working with children and groups. Learning new outdoor activities such as swimming, boxing, spike ball surfing and skateboarding
Teaching & Family Volunteering

South Africa

The main objective of our family volunteering program in South Africa is the facilitation of poverty prevention programmes and upliftment in communities. This program is perfect for parents who want to get involved with a host of different activities with their children involving community development.
Teaching in Maldives

Maldives

Watch our over 50s volunteer Brenda reflecting on how life changing her experience has been as a volunteer teacher in Maldives.
Volunteer in Maldives

Maldives

Here is a little glimpse of Maldives and what your life will be during your free time as a volunteer in the Maldives!
Volunteer in India

India

If you are wondering what volunteering is about then watch this video about India and volunteering in this beautiful destination.
Medical Electives

India

Join our 4 week medical elective programs in India where you can gain insight into medical systems and network with professionals in field.

Choose an Inspiring Volunteering Destination

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The charming city of Phnom Penh is the capital and also serves as our base of volunteer operations. Volunteering Journeys Cambodia volunteer abroad projects include Teaching English, Working with NGO’s, helping Special Needs individuals, and Medical & Nursing Internships. Whether you are a gap year student, career breaker or a family or a mature volunteer, you can apply to any of our volunteer in Cambodia projects.

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Most of Volunteering Abroad in Costa Rica community deals development projects like Education, Women empowerment and Healthcare or Medicine are located in San Ramon de Alajuela and neighboring towns. Wildlife conservation volunteering programs like Sea Turtle Conservation and Environment based are located in the pacific coast and Fortuna Area. Our Volunteering Abroad in Costa Rica are suitable for all age groups and are open year round.

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Volunteering abroad in India is one of our top rated volunteer destinations. India has enchanted adventurers, mystics, and thrill seekers from the days of yore. It’s energy, bustle, colors, scenery, and its warm and welcoming people make it an irresistible travel destination.

Our volunteer programs in India are based in the tropical paradise Kerala, Southern India. Here you can join us for Women’s Empowerment, Teaching Children, Disabled Care, Yoga & Volunteering, and Medical or Healthcare Internships. We also offer an exclusive climate change related eco farming volunteer programs in Assam (East India) that is perfectly suited for eco-warriors and climate conscious volunteers.

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Volunteering abroad in Maldives is nothing but spectacular. Maldives is a tropical paradise with endless sapphire waters famous for its coral atolls and rich marine biodiversity. Maldives offers top-notch scuba diving for thrill seekers whereas those pursuing a cultural experience gain from its amalgamation of various traditions.

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Our volunteer abroad program in Peru are based in the vibrant and beautiful city of Cusco. Cusco is a city in the Peruvian Andes and was once the capital of the Inca Empire. When you join our volunteer programs you will find ample time to explore nearby attractions such as Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred valley of the Incas.

Our most popular volunteer programs in Peru include Teaching and Child Care Programs, Medical and Nursing Electives, Dog Shelter and Veterinary Programs with animals and internships for those seeking long term volunteering programs. Volunteering Aboad in Peru is suitable for gap year and solo travellers, family volunteering holidays as well as a career-break option.

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Volunteering abroad in the Philippines is ideal for beach lovers. Philippines consists of thousands of islands with the color gradient of beach sands ranging from white to pink. It is known for vibrant cities such as Manila and Makati which are resplendent with the echoes of a colonial culture. Indulge in the local cuisine and the world-famous hospitality of the Filipino people or trek along the coastline to discover unseen vistas!

Our principal volunteering program in the Philippines is Medical and Nursing Internships. We are partnered with top-tier hospitals and clinics in the historic city of Tacloban which played a key role in the allied effort during World War II. Our nursing program is perfect for nursing students or people interested in learning the fundamentals of this age-old profession.

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South Africa also has a rich cultural heritage and history which is preserved in its vibrant cities. Majority of our community volunteering abroad programs are in Cape Town. Here you can volunteer for Teaching Children English, Surfing and Sports, Women’s Empowerment, Gap Year Volunteering and Medical Internships and Medical Electives.

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When you Volunteer abroad in Sri Lanka you can be assured this will be a trip you will cherish for years to come. Miles of sandy white beaches, dense forests filled with wildlife, misty mountains and quaint colonial towns, Sri Lanka is a dream destination. The tiny island nation is known for its vibrant traditions and untamed natural beauty. It is a hot destination for surfing and boasts of some of the most spectacular beaches in Asia.

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Volunteering abroad in Vietnam is the perfect way to immerse in a new culture. This charming Southeast Asian country is renowned for its tropical beaches, ornate monuments, and its incredible cities. The cuisine of the Vietnamese people has tantalized people across the globe and continues to lure people with its range of delicacies and flavors.

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