Reading Project

Our Spanish teacher Libia started the after-school reading program for children in a local market in Cusco. The mothers of the participating children work in the market. The kids are running around and playing, or trying to do their homework in a noisy environment. Reading a book or learning how to read is challenging. It requires concentration and a calm and low-impulse environment. Every afternoon, we help children develop a passion for books and reading.

Volunteers can help in many different ways in the reading after-school program. The kids are between five and twelve years old. Volunteers motivate the kids and applaud their efforts.

We are collecting books to build up a small library, so there is enough to read. Reading is such an important skill, and the children will benefit in many different ways. It is a mental stimulation for your brain, and it expands the vocabulary. It improves memory, focus, and concentration. These skills will all be vital in the educational path of the children.

The after-school reading project started out with three afternoons per week, in one market. Because of the current presence of two volunteers, the project is able to operate five times per week. Our long-term goal is to start this project in other markets and scale up from there. The after-school reading project can be combined with Spanish classes in the mornings or one of our other projects.

Teaching English

Volunteer as an English teacher in Peru. Use your knowledge of the English language, and share it with the Peruvian children. Organize lively and interesting classes, and actively contribute to the education of the Peruvian youth.

There is a great need and shortage of good English teachers in Peru. Learning the basics of the language as early as possible in life, will really speed up the learning curve. The opportunity to receive good English classes is rare in Peru. You can actively participate in Teaching English, and have a real impact on these kids’ lives.

You don’t have to be a native English speaker to volunteer for this project. You will have to be flexible, open-minded, and proactive. The level will be basic, and the kids are not familiar with learning a foreign language. Patience, decent preparation of your lessons and correct pronunciation are important. And, of course, the ability to create fun classes!

Art & Drawing with Kids

Are you ready to share your creative passions with Peruvian kids? Creativity, self-expression and focus are a few of the benefits that Art classes have on children.

As a volunteer, you can organize creative classes for the Peruvian kids in the after-school projects. The frequency of Art classes in the curriculum of Peruvian schools is very low. Whether you’re passionate about drawing, painting, theater, dancing, or other creative activities, we’d love it if you could share your passion with the kids.

Let us know what it is that you would like to teach, and we’ll organize the workshops for you. If you need special materials, the only thing we’ll ask is a small donation and your help to purchase the right materials for your art classes.

Dog Shelter

Volunteer in the Dog Shelter and actively participate in fighting the growing street dog problem in Cusco. The Dog Shelter takes care of the hygienic and medical situation of dogs in campaigns, and on a daily basis. They also educate the youth about animal rights, and how to treat animals. There are multiple ways for you to help in this project.

The Dog Shelter takes care of a group of Street dogs on a daily basis. They offer the dogs a home, with food, love, and hygienic treatment. You can take the dogs for walks, or feed, wash, and play with them. The goal is to make the dogs healthy again and find new owners for them.

A couple of times per month the Dog Shelter sets out on campaigns in the villages around Cusco. Vaccinating street dogs, giving basic medical treatment, and explaining to the population how to treat dogs.

As a volunteer, you can help in many ways. You can take care of the dogs, assist in medical campaigns, or even help the dog shelter improve their social media!

Environment & Human Rights

If you’re a student or professional in environmental sciences, agroecology, or biology, this project is a real treat for you!

The Yanapanakusun Center is a non-governmental organization committed to the protection of human rights in rural areas. One of their lines of work is nature care. The nature care line aims to guarantee the human right to a healthy and clean environment for our well-being.

As a volunteer, you will support Environmental Defenders in the Cusco region. You must be willing to travel to rural areas. The work includes continuous training of children and adolescents, the development of an annual work plan, monitoring of activities (such as talks, practical actions, and participation in other spaces), the formation of new groups, and their recognition by municipal authorities. The final product is a conceptual framework of the work with Environmental Defenders.

You will have both Peruvian and foreign colleagues. An intermediate level of Spanish is required. This internship has a minimum of 4 months.