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VOLUNTEER IN
PERU
PERU VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Peru is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of natural resources. However, its social development has not kept pace with its commercial development, and Peruvians still wrestle with illiteracy and basic social justice. Peru is a safe country, but visitors are often taken aback by the tremendous differences in socioeconomic levels and lack of access to education and healthcare. Peru works hard at self-improvement, making it an ideal place for international volunteers to get involved, contribute to sustainable programs, and provide help to vulnerable populations. There is no shortage of things to get done in Peru and international volunteers can truly learn to serve here.
Peru is one of the most enigmatic South American countries. It is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the North, Brazil to the East, and Bolivia and Chile to the South. With a population of 33 million people, Peru is home to the amazing Andes mountains, the lush Amazon jungle, the Atacama Desert, and the beautiful Pacific coastline. Over the last decade, Peru has also become a destination for culinary tourism thanks to its very original and creative cuisine, as well as its wine and pisco producing regions.
Maximo Nivel provides volunteer abroad projects at our institute in Cusco, Peru, both in and outside of the city center. Projects are also available off-site in the Sacred Valley (mountains), the Amazon region (rainforest), and Quillabamba (rainforest), some of which are rural areas and offer a more “off-the-grid” experience than the city of Cusco. Volunteers always have the opportunity to serve in both urban and rural communities.
Cusco, Peru was the ancient capital city of the Inca Empire and today it is the mecca for travelers visiting South America. Everyone comes to Cusco and it is one of the major international travel and study abroad destinations in Latin America. The Maximo Nivel institute in Cusco, is located right in the historical center, only 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas and right across the street from Q’oricancha—the ‘Temple of the Sun.’ The institute is always teeming with international travelers and local students enjoying the large common areas, WiFi, and on-site snack bar.
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Why I Maximo Nivel
We came to Cusco not sure what to expect from the volunteer project. 3 months later and I am so thrilled that we had the opportunity to volunteer with Maximo in Cusco. We spent the majority of our time teaching English. Our time teaching was such an incredible experience. The students were beautiful people and we were always well supported by Maximo staff and the project staff. We then spent a week at the jungle project. This was an experience like no other, to be immersed in the Amazon jungle doing work that matters. The project staff are super passionate and very supportive.
Volunteer Programs in Peru
The most amazing country in South America!
WORKING WITH KIDS
When families face severe economic disadvantages, children are often the first victims. Neglect, abuse, and abandonment are pervasive issues in Peru as people struggle with the lack of resources and inability to care for their children. This creates a vicious circle that is very difficult to penetrate and solve. The staff at our working with kids projects in Cusco, Peru do their best with the few resources they have, but they rely a great deal on the help from volunteers.
As an international volunteer, you work in after school programs and community centers around the Cusco area. Your volunteer work is focused on helping project staff to provide individual attention to each child. With your help, children are exposed to kindness and care, receive academic support, and begin to develop social skills and improved hygiene habits. While you are learning to serve, you can help improve these children’s lives, brighten their smiles, and make the community just a little better.
TEACHING ENGLISH
In Peru, English language skills are absolutely critical for academic and professional advancement. Everyone understands the importance of English for tourism, business, and higher education. Peruvians who do not speak English struggle to keep up with the economic success of their own country, which creates an even bigger gap between the wealthy and the poor.
As an international volunteer, you teach English in after school programs, community centers, and at a local military facility. These people lack the resources to pay for English classes, but you can help better equip these kids, teens, and adults to communicate and have access to opportunities that move them beyond poverty. Your teaching English project includes creating lesson plans, teaching classes, one-on-one tutoring, and organizing educational games and activities. You may also work in support activities such as cleaning and fixing up the teaching areas.
Maximo Nivel provides all English teaching volunteers with a crash course in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), which provides you with basic theories and strategies to effectively teach ESL. Maximo Nivel has a full academic team that helps provide materials and ideas for your classes.
MEDICAL
Peru’s government provides universal healthcare to its citizens, however many areas still have very limited access, zero resources, and poor training. If you believe in community service and making healthcare accessible to all people, a medical volunteer project in Peru is a great place to start. Maximo Nivel’s Medical Specialist leads volunteers at rural clinics where you work with medical professionals to provide patient care including check-ups, vital signs, needs assessments, patient records, and preparing materials and equipment.
As an international volunteer, you may also get involved with medical campaigns that provide medical services to underprivileged communities outside of Cusco. When possible, dental and hygiene education are also provided to promote preventative care. Medical projects have a huge impact in the communities you serve, and you can be proud of your medical work abroad!
HEALTHCARE
In developing countries like Peru, individuals with special needs can be marginalized and left to fend for themselves. These people are not provided the adequate resources necessary to thrive at their highest potential. Volunteers work in assisted-living facilities dedicated to improving the quality of life for the elderly and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. These projects help make the “invisible population” more visible. Being “different” or “disabled” is not easy in Peru and as a volunteer, you can help these amazing people feel important and cared for.
Project sites include a facility for children battling Leukemia, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities for people with disabilities, and a home for people infected with HIV. As an international volunteer, you work with project staff to assist with mealtimes, conversation-talk therapy, exercise workshops, arts and crafts activities, as well as sorting and distributing medicine. Qualified volunteers may also get involved with physical therapy. To be a great healthcare volunteer, you must possess patience, compassion, and sensitivity—you should come ready to jump in!
DENTAL
Providing equal access to healthcare is particularly difficult in the rural provinces of Peru. Many medical centers in Peru’s low-income and remote communities lack resources and professionally trained staff. Given the logistical and financial obstacles Peruvian medical professionals face, dental care is usually very low on the priority list. However, poor dental and oral health affects the entire body!
As an international volunteer, you can make a real difference in the day-to-day lives of dentists, dental hygienists, orthodontists, and their patients by lending a helping hand. If you care about advocating for accessible healthcare, Peru is an excellent place to start.
DOG SHELTER
Maximo Nivel works with several dog shelters to provide housing, healthcare, and adoption services in and around Cusco. In Peru, domesticated dogs are often neglected or abandoned by their owners, resulting in a large number of strays and street dogs. These animals go hungry, their health suffers, and they can create safety issues for the public. These shelter projects typically house over 50 dogs who need attention, love, and care.
As an international volunteer, you help provide exercise, grooming, and medical treatment–bathing, brushing walking, and basic obedience training; you also clean kennels, so please be ready! You may also help with education, spay/neuter programs, and fundraising. All animal care projects are very under-funded and depend heavily on volunteer efforts, so if you are a true animal lover, please come help!
ALPACA FARM
The alpaca project works directly with the unique camelid creatures (related to camels) native to Peru. Volunteers work on a farm owned and operated by a Peruvian family in the village of Huayllarcocha, approximately 30 minutes from Cusco. The farm’s main objective is to care for the animals, produce traditional Peruvian textiles from their wool, and educate both tourists and local people. The farms uses traditional methods of shearing, worsting, dyeing, and weaving. This placement is best for people who are comfortable around animals.
As an international volunteer, you work with alpacas and llamas cleaning and maintaining pens and feeding the animals. Note, working with alpacas and llamas is not easy, as the animals can be very active and moody. Depending on your level of Spanish, you may also get involved with other activities such as light construction and maintenance, caring for sick animals, and even helping out with the weaving! The alpaca project is especially well-suited to volunteers who bring lots of positive energy and take initiative.
UNIVERSITY ZOO
The Zoo Project is led by the national university based in Cusco. This is a rehabilitation center whose primary mission is to care for rescued and injured animals that have been confiscated from people who steal them from the wild. The end goal is to nurture the animals back to health, before hopefully releasing them into their natural habitat. The zoo project is a small nonprofit operation with very few public visitors, and it subsists on very little funding and the work of volunteers and students.
As an international volunteer, you are dedicated to the treatment and care of the rescued animals. Responsibilities include feeding, cage cleaning, light construction work, and some basic conservation work. You work alongside professional staff and university students and may also get involved with hosting young student groups who visit the zoo. This project is best suited for people who are comfortable around animals.
ECO-AGRICULTURE
The eco-agriculture projects in Peru are located in the Sacred Valley, about 1 hour from the Maximo Nivel institute in Cusco, and in the Huyro Region, nestled in the highlands of the Amazon rainforest, approximately 3 hours away. These projects offer international volunteers the unique opportunity to collaborate with local tea, coffee, and cacao growers in collective farming initiatives. The focus of these efforts is on promoting efficient farming techniques, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
CONSTRUCTION
Maximo Nivel construction projects are great placements, as you can see the impact you make every day! Our local construction foreman leads volunteers in building community centers, small clinics, animal shelters, and refurbishing schools. Give back to local communities through real development work–help provide access to adequate education and healthcare facilities, which in turn reduces the risk for disease and increases literacy rates.
As an international volunteer, your work includes digging, removing dirt, mixing cement, carrying bricks, preparing adobe, painting, and plastering. Get physical and embrace the hard work required to truly do good for others! Note that most construction projects in Peru still use traditional building methods and materials such as adobe, plaster, and bamboo.
AMAZON CONSERVATION & REFORESTATION
The Amazon jungle is one of the great rainforests of the world, and it plays an important role in the Earth’s sustainability. Over the years, deforestation began with small farmers and quickly grew with the effects of commercial logging operations. Now, with increased environmental protection and private and public initiatives, deforestation has slowed. However, your help is needed to continue these efforts and to rebuild as much jungle as possible.
As an international volunteer, you take part in reforestation efforts including planting trees, shrubs, and orchids as well as removing invasive species of bamboo. Your volunteer project may also include working with wildlife and animal monitoring, trail maintenance, and educational workshops for local communities. Your work is important to save and protect the Amazon jungle to benefit future generations.
ANDEAN IMMERSION
The Andean Immersion project provides a totally unique service learning experience. Volunteers are placed in an indigenous, Quechua-speaking community high in the Andes mountains, approximately 1 hour from Cusco. This volunteer project is an “off-the-grid” placement and is true full-immersion! This is an excellent project for volunteers interested in anthropology, gender-roles, and indigenous cultures.
As an international volunteer, you live and work alongside a traditional Andean family and take part in tasks including agriculture such as raising corn and potatoes; herding animals including sheep and cows; light construction; working with kids at the local school; and traditional weaving. Note that work varies based on seasonal needs and weather conditions. You must be sensitive, respectful, and open-minded as the community’s lifestyle is very different from back home.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Delve into Peru’s rich historical tapestry with the Archaeology volunteer program, designed for those passionate about history and cultural preservation. This program is instrumental in the excavation and maintenance of over 300 archaeological sites across the Sacred Valley, including renowned locations such as Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Chinchero. Based off-site in the center of the Sacred Valley, volunteers are housed with a local family approximately 15 minutes outside of the town of Urubamba.
The Sacred Valley’s proximity to the city of Cusco, provides and opportunity for participants to return to Cusco during their weekends.
HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Christmas Week: 19 December – 26 December
New Year’s Week: 26 December – 02 January
Christmas week and New Year’s week are very special times of the year in the city of Cusco, Peru. The streets are filled with traditional vendors and the city overflows with both religious and modern customs. As an international volunteer, you help bring this energy to underprivileged people and communities while learning a great deal about the local culture.
The week usually starts with a big Christmas party for the kids and their families in a nearby village, where you wrap and give away gifts, dish-up food, fruit bread, and traditional hot chocolate at a real Peruvian ‘chocolatada!’ For some of the guests, this is the only Christmas celebration and holiday gifts they receive. As the week continues, volunteer work moves to a construction project where you help build or renovate a classroom, clinic, or community center. Depending on field conditions and the needs our Field Managers identify in the communities, you may also get involved at an animal care project, a medical campaign, or even visit an indigenous community. Be ready to chip-in and above all, bring your holiday spirit!
EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT
FOR VOLUNTEER & SERVICE LEARNING IN PERU
Maximo Nivel is one of the few organizations in the world to offer academic credit for volunteer abroad and service learning programs. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!
We bring structure and organization to your volunteer abroad program in Peru, and we match you with the best project according to your personal goals and the positive impact you want to have. Schedule a call with a program advisor today!
WHY VOLUNTEER IN PERU
WITH MAXIMO NIVEL?
Maximo Nivel has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Our volunteer program fees are affordable and transparent.
- New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
- Professional Field Managers
- Volunteer programs available from 1-52 weeks
- All-inclusive—accommodations, meals, and many extras
- 24/7 in-country support
- Academic credit available
- No Registration or processing fees
- All-inclusive program fees from $735
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