Programme Details
There are four options involved in the Youth Outreach programme:
Option 1: Orphanage
This centre was originally set up in 1997 by the government and has the capacity to help children who have been abandoned or mistreated by their parents. The children receive attention, psychological help and work with their families with the aim of returning to them; if this is not possible they are sent to institutions that run a ‘family style’ scheme, giving them the opportunity to experience a family environment. Volunteers may work in small groups alongside the authorities as teachers' assistants, organising workshops or activities, reinforcing maths and language skills and giving basic English classes. The children are taught such skills as weaving, shoe making, and leather crafts, which is geared towards helping them develop skills, and to prepare them for adulthood.
Option 2: Day-care Centre
This great programme was founded more than 20 years ago by a government initiative and offers a free service helping in some of the poorest areas of Cusco. The day-care centre is kindergarten level and can accommodate 25-45 children aged between 3-5 years old, however, the children are not obliged to attend this programme. The children and staff are full of energy and often involve the local community with parents helping with the cleaning and making breakfast.
Option 3: Teaching in Cusco
This programme provides volunteers with the opportunity to teach children in a deprived area of Cusco, running their own classes. Founded 2007, the project has been growing steadily and looks after 30-50 children, across four classes, who are aged between 3-13 years old. With only two permanent teachers and the rest of the staff being made up of volunteers and students, you help is vital to the success of the project and greatly appreciated.
Option 4: Adolescents boys home
This worthwhile programme works with adolescent boys aged between 12-18 years. All the boys live at the programme, and are educated and taught sports, which is where the volunteers will be helping out most. A good level of Spanish is required for this programme as you will be working with older children.
Volunteer role
The projects will work with between four and eight volunteers at any time, depending on the programme and you may get involved in various activities depending on availability and skills. These programmes encourage you to help out and provide support wherever it is needed the most; this can involve teaching English, Music or Sports, helping in the classroom, assisting with the children’s health care or with a variety of occupational activities. By playing games with volunteers they can learn to live as a child again and to share and express their emotions
Generally the volunteers will help out during the afternoons with options 1 and 2, as the children attend school in the mornings, however there may be opportunities to help out further should you choose to. This is a great chance to make a difference to the lives of children who‘ve had a bad start in life, to help build their personalities and develop skills that will aid them in the future.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Accommodation
- Placement
- Detailed information pack prior to departure
- Airport Pick-up in Cusco
- Orientation on arrival
- Assistance from in-country co-ordinator
- 24-hour emergency contact in the UK and Peru
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- International flights
- Meals
- One night stopover in Lima
- Lima to Cusco transfer
- Travel insurance
- Extra activities over and above itinerary
- Extra snacks and alcoholic beverages
- Return transfer
Prices and Durations
Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers - 2 weeks $799
Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers - 3 weeks $959
Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers - 4 weeks $1,119
Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers - 5 weeks $1,279
Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers - 6 weeks $1,429
