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Work with Orphans and at Risk Children Perú is a highly multicultural country with impressive historical sites and great food; nevertheless, as a third-world country, it also has an extremely high rate of poverty, which is reflected on the poor quality of life that many people and their children suffer from. Financial support invested for education is not enough to create good programs aimed at children who live in neglected situations. The quality of public schools and government-supported educational programs is considerably inferior to that offered in private institutions, so there are several organizations trying to make a difference by giving unprivileged kids the opportunity to have access to opportunities that are out of their reach due to their economical situation. There are several educational programs across the country, whether in cities or in small towns on the coast or on the highlands. It only depends where would you like to plant your seed of experience. You can choose from teaching English; helping kids with their homework; leading arts and crafts workshops, music and theatre lessons, and sports sessions; providing psychological support to children at risk; assisting in shelters for children who work on the streets, in orphanages, and day-care centers; teaching hygiene practices; doing creative things; and most of all, having a great time! Social Work and Community Development  One of the main objectives for a country as rich in culture and natural resources like Perú is the alleviation of poverty and the establishment of self-sufficient communities. By sharing our practical and professional skills we can help make a difference. If you’re handy with a hammer, lend a hand assisting in the construction of temporary homes for families who were severely affected by last year’s earthquake in Pisco, Ica. This activity takes place just for a few days every month, so you might want to complement it with another project. Or if you are just traveling around for a couple of weeks and would like to give back to the community without the need for a long-term commitment, this could be it! In Lima, work with a program which provides education, emotional and technical support to domestic workers in a place where they gather on their spare time. Help them improve their self-esteem while making them feel respected, guide them through personal and professional decisions, and teaching them about their rights as legal workers. A new microfinance program is has recently been developed in Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Lima, which aims to empower women with economical and social limitations by providing loans, financial support, and advise. People with advanced Spanish skills are needed to provide support in management and accounting, as well as coming up with creative ideas and solutions, business skills or teaching English. Environmental Conservation  Considered a hotspot of the planet’s biodiversity, Perú is a MUST for nature lovers, ecologists, and conservationists. Almost 80% of the world's recognized ecological zones can be found in Peru, as well as 28 of its 32 climates. According to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Peru has some 2,937 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles, 16.0 percent of which are endemic (meaning they do not exist in any other country) and 7.6 percent are unfortunately endangered. In addition, Peru is home to at least 17,144 species of vascular plants, of which 31.2 percent are endemic.Volunteer programs are focused on educating local population as well as visitors in order to promote the development of sustainable natural resources and preserve local ecosystems. Volunteers will collect and monitor data on fauna and flora, assist in reforestation projects, learn and participate on the ethnobotanic project, learn techniques for organic cultivation, take care of the orchid’s garden, work on the opening and maintenance of walking trails, give lessons to children and local residents on environmental problems and awareness as well as basic English skills. If you have a background in an applicable field of science, you may apply for a resident naturalist position at Manu Learning Center. In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit a proposal to conduct their own research and develop their own projects. |
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