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A few of my readers have mentioned that there are FREE volunteer abroad programs out there. So for this week’s Do Good Thursday, I will be focusing on volunteer opportunities in Peru. These programs are absolutely free and the only cost you have to fork out is for your own food and accommodation.
1. Fair Play Peru
“A unique nonprofit NGO, FairPlay trains Peruvian single mothers and local families to provide Spanish lessons and homestays, and it also organises volunteer opportunities for travelers. Instead of paying tuition fees to a for-profit company, travelers pay their teachers and host families directly, thereby helping the community more.”Lonely Planet, 2007.
Their website has so much content and information that whatever I try to summarize here would not convey it all. If you’re interested in volunteering in Peru, I highly recommend you visit their site. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed by what they offer to the local community.
2. Belmelsa
Belmelsa located in Grocio Prado, Peru is seeking computer-experienced, artists and teacher volunteers who can contribute a minimum of 3 months.
“29 years ago Señor Jose Hernandez sensed a need in Grocio Prado to provide food and a safe place for the children who were in need. As many Peruvians do, Señor Hernandez wanted to give thanks to Melchorita Saravia. The Hernandez family began, with a staff of volunteers, to provide the much needed food for the children and the Monks that served in the Parroquia San Pedro de Grocio Prado church. The Comedor previously was housed in an additional area of the church. Several years ago the Hernandez family built a new building for the Comedor and now we have this beautiful building dedicated to the memory of Melchorita Saravia who worked tirelessly to feed and comfort Chinchana’s in need. As we open our doors for more and more programs, we are seeing more and more need in the community. Creating programs and activities that help children build self esteem and self-worth are our primary goals, right along with safety and nourishment.”
Accommodation and lunch is provided. The only thing you have to pay for is additional meals and, of course, personal and travel expenses. This program even offers transportation from Lima to Chincha/Grocio Prado.
3. Initiwawa
Our idea of voluntary work is that volunteers neither pay for the work they do nor are they being paid. This is one of the core principles of IntiWawa and no one in the permanent Team is rewarded financially either. Everything backstage is running on purely voluntary basis.
Here are some of the projects they are currently working on.
Drinking water system
One of the three biggest projects is the constitution of a well-regulated drinking water system so that the families in San Isidro no longer have to consume polluted water, which is currently causing many diseases. These, in turn, are very hard to cure because the affected families cannot afford to see a doctor.
Medicine project
The above project is hence directly linked to a medicine project. We are hoping that we will be able to work with educated doctors to cure existing diseases. Therefore, we are currently working with the IFMSA, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations.
Casa IntiWawa
Another project is the „Casa IntiWawa“. Our main objective is to build a house in the village of San Isidro, which we will use to work with the kids, to play with them and to eat together. We want the kids to be comfortable and to have a place where they are save from the burning sun, which shines about 360 days per year in Arequipa. In addition, the Casa IntiWawa is supposed to be a place which women and children can use as a shelter if they are facing problems at home.
Administration and further expansion
Apart from local changes, we also have to adjust our structures behind the scene. In order to cope with further expansions, we are planning on installing a system, which will enable us to receive donations over the internet or via SMS to mobile phones.
In addition, we will further strengthen our cooperation with career centres at universities and high-schools to keep on raising awareness of our projects among a great number of students.
4. Programa Colibri
Programa Colibri offers FREE volunteer opportunites in Cusco, Peru.
As an on-site volunteer*, you will be responsible for helping the kids with their homework and studies, as well as playing games or going to the park with them upon completion of their work. Typical classes that the kids will need help in are: writing, math, science, reading, etc. After completing their homework, weather permitting, many of the kids like to go to the park to play on the swings or futbol in the nearby court. However, there are also a number of kids who prefer to stay indoors and play with puzzles as well as some of the board games. While you are certainly not required to buy anything while volunteering, any activities you would like to bring from home would be greatly appreciated as it is often difficult to find crafts and games for children in Cusco. As a volunteer, you will have virtually no limits as to any ideas for activities that you would like to create for the kids. Around 7pm, their “lonche” (normally just milk and bread) is offered to them, which the volunteers help serve. Unfortunately, for some kids this is all they will eat for the night.
Visit their website to find outmore about the voluntter positions at Programa Colibri
If you’re interested in contributing a guest post for A Pair of Panties & Boxers, please email me at monica@apairofpantiesandboxers.com.
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