Non-medical health program

Peruvian government doesn’t provide its disabled citizens with appropriate inclusive policies, and funds destined to the non-governmental organizations and charitable institutions is often deviated by corrupted intermediaries. With such circumstances and with 22 percent of the population living in poverty, the three million Peruvians with some physical or mental disability often become invisible to the eyes of most people, including their own families who sometimes abandon them.

This program is placed in a home that shelters twenty children and fifty adults lodged in three departments: women’s, men’s and children’s. It is run by religious sisters and although volunteers don’t necessarily need to be religious themselves, they need to be respectful of other people’s beliefs.

The program is aimed to provide a safe and loving environment, companionship and essential care to the most vulnerable people in the city. Due to the permanent lack of funds and staff, these charitable women need volunteers with a big heart and the willingness to help them in any way possible.

Tasks vary from routine household activities (cleaning, laundry, cooking, serving meals, etc) to entertainment  and educational activities such as  reading,playing games, singing, dancing, going to the park, giving training in handcrafts, cooking, baking, carpentry, etc.

Volunteers don’t need to have any previous experience or specific skills to participate in this program and any extra pair of hands is greatly appreciated. Yet any skills or  background in physiotherapy or occupational  therapy are particularly useful. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring forward creative ideas to improve the quality of life of these misfortuned but wonderful people and to organize recreational  activities as well as fundraising campaigns.

Working with the most vulnerable of people and in challenging circumstances is by all means a truly initiatic and deeply transforming  experience; as well as a wonderfully rewarding one that a volunteer will look back upon with great joy and pride! 

Healthcare and medical programs

Peru suffers of a high rate of infectious diseases such as waterborne bacterial diseases, hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue, malaria and yellow fevers and leptospirosis among many others.

Cusco has 435.000 people and public health facilities and services are poorly equipped and underfunded. So professional in the healthcare and medical area willing to supply quality medical care and share their knowledge are very welcome to join these programs.

CWs' local team will place international volunteers where they are mostly needed and will be of greater help accordingly to their specific background and expertise .

To volunteer for these programs you’ll be required to bring the appropriate certificates and to have intermediate to advanced Spanish language skills. We also recommend you bring your own working supplies such as white coat, stethoscope and scrubs.

The programs take place in local hospitals, clinics and dispensaries in and around Cusco, and as a volunteer you may be asked to undertake routine hospital tasks such as visiting patients, sterilizing equipment, doing laboratory work, making beds, cleaning etc. You can also help prepare and carry out educational and health awareness campaigns and engage in enriching cultural and experience exchange.

Please keep in mind that Peru is still an underdeveloped country in many aspects and you must be tolerant, flexible and open-minded to make the best of this experience. But be reassured that with the right attitude, this may also be a wonderful, enriching and very fulfilling experience.

an style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  therapy are particularly useful. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring forward creative ideas to improve the quality of life of these misfortuned but wonderful people and to organize recreational  activities as well as fundraising campaigns.

Working with the most vulnerable of people and in challenging circumstances is by all means a truly initiatic and deeply transforming  experience; as well as a wonderfully rewarding one that a volunteer will look back upon with great joy and pride!