Work with Street Children in Peru

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Project Summary

Children are begging in droves on the streets of Cusco, but a lucky few find their way to our partner’s shelters and find assistance, encouragement and care. The unfortunate children left on the street wear moth-eaten clothing and no shoes as they beg for money for food and have nowhere to sleep that night. There is no room for play as these children work hard, often trying to sell candy and puppets at dusk to couples walking to restaurants. Poverty is increasing and education lacking in Peru. They may have fled abusive homes, lost their parents to sickness or their homes and families have crumbled due to extreme poverty. These children do not attend school nor do they have a home to call their own.

Program: Volunteer in Peru
Projects:Work with Street Children in Peru
Start Dates:1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
Location: Cusco and Urubamba
Departure and End Point: Cusco, Peru
Language Need:Basic to intermediate Spanish fluency
Accommodation and meals:Homebase or Host Family and Peruvian meals three times daily
Activities: Varied activities at a shelter to support disadvantaged and/or street children in transition
Working Hours: 25-35 hours per week

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Role of Volunteer

Street children project volunteers work in an underfunded transient street children shelter. This is a transition shelter for either runaways waiting to be sent home or abandoned children awaiting orphanage placement. The children, ages 5 to 17-years-old, are simply waiting and have nothing but time on their hands as the police and the courts decide what to do with them. Often these children are locked away in rooms as they await their fate and a volunteer’s job is sometimes to simply keep them company, teaching English, playing games, painting or reading help to pass the time. The shelter’s children treasure their volunteer buddies at this shelter, because unfortunately these volunteers are the only people they have.

Skills/Qualification Needed

There are no specific qualifications required since the project staff will provide any necessary orientation and training to perform volunteer activities adequately. Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred and this knowledge will encourage stronger relations with the children If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program in Cusco, which can run simultaneous to your volunteer project or immerse in this program for a week prior to your project start. Individuals who are enthusiastic about caring for other and compassionate to the often-unfortunate situations of these children are desperately needed.

Volunteer in Peru: Project Locations and Free Time Options

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The locations Global Crossroad’s street children project (Cusco and Urubamba) are adjacent to fabulous travel, adventure and cultural activities! Machu Picchu tops the list for most Peru volunteers with its majestic and alluring simplicity beckoning from its perch high in the mountains. Reaching the summit does not have to be a week-long commitment! There are options for everyone – trains or trekking will get you to the top in time to witness a breathtaking and magical sunrise.

Local cultural on-goings are easy to seek out with the help of our local in-country staff and other volunteers. Regardless of your project’s location, there are colorful festivals and markets to peruse, many types of Peruvian delicacies to sample and simple outings like bike rides or casual walks during which you can witness animals, birds and the natural beauty of Peru.

Peru’s landscape is varied and ranges from the high tips of the Andes Mountain range to dense Amazonian jungles to the exquisite beaches along the Pacific. There is truly something for everyone in Peru. The adventurer, bird-watcher, quiet canoe-paddler, scuba diver, mountaineer, beach connoisseur, foodie and amateur cultural anthropologist will all find just the right activity in Peru!