Volunteering in Peru

To search for projects currently available in Peru please visit the VFP Open Projects Directory.

 Back to VFP Home Page

	“I am happy that I volunteered with VFP. It was an excellent intro to the culture of Peru, it helped my learn Spanish, and it was in a great location. The work that we did was good. We were working at an orphanage and hanging out with the kids there. We had the opportunity to introduce lessons there and did. Sometimes the kids were interested and sometimes they wanted to play soccer. I felt our presence was helpful to the kids. They enjoyed us being there and I think it was good. The level of organization was pretty high from the host group sonyokipi (SP). They provided us with good pre volunteer info and adequate living and a leader who helped us figure out what was going on. I also got along well with the other volunteers. It was nice to work with folks from other countries. There was a spanish course offered in the first week and I took that and felt it was helpful. The food was good too. We paid money in the beginning of the trip then used that money to buy our own breakfast and lunch and dinners were cooked for us though it petered out in the end, meaning for some reason the last few days the woman didnt make dinner for us. I lfelt that the price could have been a little lower to volunteer because the amount of money we had reserved for food seemed to be an overshot. Thats about all I have to say on it. It was a great experience. Fun, insightful and cultural. I learned a lot about Peru and the culture. So thanks for the experience.” Philip McKnight ~ 2009
	“My experience in Ayacucho was like none other than I had ever had before. I have done lots of volunteering within my own community but it wasn't until I was completely out of my element that I realized how much I was growing as a person. There are a million "pros" to the Hogar Urpi project where I volunteered. Of course I fell in love with each of the boys and wanted to take them home in my suitcase. The weather was beautiful and the landscape and sky in Peru is unmatched in the most beautiful cities I have been to. It was amazing to become friends with the other volunteers and learn about them as people and the different countries from which they came. I learned so much about the world around me OUTSIDE of Peru while I was there. Loving the children and knowing they loved me in return was my favorite part about the experience. There were very few "cons" and of them, most were simply logistical. Lack of hot water for showers was brutal, but I got used to it. The project description was vague and my guess is that it is a general description that they use for mulitiple projects. The inaccuracies were sort of frustrating as I was traveling for a total of 5 weeks and every square inch of my backpack was precious, yet I was asked to bring many items that were not necessary such as work gloves, a lantern and a blow-up air mattress (unlike the description stated, there were indeed cots so the air mattress was not needed).” Laura Harvey ~ 2009
	"I loved living with people from all over the world. It was a first for me and I found it to be a fascinating experience, I learned so much about other cultures and had so much fun. It's nice to meet people who have similar world views and also believe in the importance of serving others. " Elizabeth White / Peru ~ 2008
	Making new friends in Ayacucho. Joanna Liss / Peru ~ 2006
	Accomodations vary widely. Elizabeth Munson / Peru ~ 2005
	Art class for children. Stephanie Hundley / Peru ~ 2004
	A program in Peru included environmental and construction work, along with many cultural activities, including this visit by local musicians and singers. Specialized Sustainable Development Association / Peru ~ 2002
	Working at an orphanage. "You have to be flexible, have a little self confidence & be able to live with complete strangers who may barely speak English. After a day or two I became comfortable as we all adjusted to life in camp." Sulaman Shah / Mongolia ~ 2003
	"At an orphanage farm in Mongolia, volunteers worked alongside children tending the crops. "We were completely cut off from the modern world during those two weeks but in between the beautiful green mountains of Khandgait and the kids we found happiness in abundance!" Li Lian Lau / Mongolia ~ 2002
	Volunteers in Mongolia constructed houses for orphans and street children. "I actually find myself cherishing the memories (good and bad) from the experience. I'm proud of what I did." Valerie Yerger / Mongolia ~ 2001
	President of NICE Japan with volunteers in Mongolia. Mongolia / 1998

“All in all, I had a wonderful experience in Ayacucho, Peru and a wonderful experience with Volunteers for Peace.  I would recommend it to others as a good organization to be part of if you like to volunteer to those less fortunate.  My only recommendation would be to make the accommodations for your paying volunteers more sanitary and comfortable for them.  I look forward to visiting Ayacucho again one day to see the kids we left behind.  I believe they will be a part of my heart forever.” Greta Karris / Peru ~ 2008

“Overall, I had an absolutely amazing experience. I fully intend to work at another volunteer work camp, and I am happy to talk to anyone who is interested in learning more about my experience in Ayacucho.” Christie Low / Peru ~ 2008

“First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone from Vive Mexico and Peru Sonqoykipi for providing such a wonderful opportunity.  Both camps were great and I hope you will continue projects in Parcona.” Joe Cox / Peru ~ 2008

“Although the work and the experiences were exciting and memorable, my fondest memories will be of the people we met. Throughout the three weeks, we had the chance to meet and spend time with a number of different people from the organization. Without exception, they moved and inspired us by their devotion to their work, as well as their incredible generosity towards us—generosity with their time, their hospitality, their knowledge, and their friendship.” Tu-Quynh Trinh / Peru - 2007

"This workcamp has given me a wonderful, cultural, unforgettable experience. It was a combination of the right people, right place, and a staff of knowledgeable local people that made the experience so perfect. I've been inspired to continue to volunteer for future workcamps and I can only hope that it's as good as my experience in Ayacucho, Peru." Mei Wong / Peru - 2006

"The people of Asjanitac really opened their hearts to the children of Ayacucho and to us, the volunteers also.They gave us great insight into Peru by showing us sights and letting us join in the festivities. The children. They just steal your heart. It was a great to try and really get to know some the children and teach them some Math and English and just play." Rana Kreterfeld / Peru - 2004

"The children took me under their wing…the three weeks we spent together was one of the memorable times in my life." James O'Connor / Peru - 2005

Back to top