Role of Volunteer
While orphanage volunteering in Peru, your love and support are the most important elements you can offer these disadvantaged children. Depending on individual skills and interests, volunteers will act as mentors, lead arts and crafts, help children with their homework, lead children in songs and dance and/or teach English. Orphanage volunteers will be involved in various activities such as:
- Helping children with homework and teaching basic conversational English skills
- Supporting recreational and artistic activities focused on educational learning
- Reading stories, performing puppet shows, caring for and simply playing with the children
- Organizing and developing sports activities
- Supporting in the kitchen/helping to serve meals in the dining room
- Participating/assisting with location-specific duties: routine maintenance, construction, etc.
Skills/Qualification Needed
There are no specific qualifications required to join volunteer orphanage Peru project since the project staff will provide any necessary orientation and training to perform volunteer activities adequately. Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred, yet not required. 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
Global Crossroad’s orphanage volunteer project is located in Cusco. The city is a fabulous place for cultural activities or for further travel or adventure. The city of Cusco contains many attractions like museums, parks, old historical squares, buildings and churches. Machu Picchu is another destination volunteers can head to for 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!
