Details

Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years old or older on the date of the commencement of their program, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Some Spanish language skills are required for most project and we recommend volunteers whose Spanish is not so good that they leave the first two weeks before beginning volunteering, to take advantage of the very affordable classes in site, that will help them make the best of their volunteering experience in Peru.

Volunteers with some expertise or previous experience on the field of their chosen project is highly valued, what we value most in our volunteers is a sincere willingness to help those who are in need and to be responsible, proactive, positive and compassionate.

Location and duration

CW programs are located in Cusco, a beautiful and lively town annually visited by 2 million tourists and the gateway to the legendary Inca trail that leads to world famous archaeological site of Machu Pichu.

Volunteers to our programs in Cusco may begin any day of the year and the minimum duration is one week. There is no maximum duration limit to our programs here.

Accommodation and meals

Volunteers are placed in local host families carefully chosen by our local team. Depending on the time of the year, they may have to share the bedroom with other volunteers and of course they’ll have to be flexible and adapt to the local lifestyle.

Living with a host family provides a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in the local culture and to have the chance to greatly improve your Spanish language skills.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by the host family, but there are plenty of excellent and very affordable restaurants, cafes and bars in and around the town that are worth exploring.

Orientation

On arriving at the airport volunteers will be met by a member of our local staff and, depending on the time of their arrival, they’ll be either led to their homestays and be introduced to their family hosts.

The first day is dedicated to an orientation tour around the area led by a local coordinator who will fill them in with basic information about the program regulations and rules, some safety tips and travel advice and it’s the ideal moment for volunteers to clear out any remaining doubts. This is also a good opportunity for volunteers to exchange money, buy sim phone cards, get acquainted among themselves and exchange contact details for future outings together.

Volunteer schedule

Volunteers tasks and schedules will vary from project to project, but a working week will usually start on Monday and end or Friday; leaving the weekends free for relaxing, socializing, sightseeing and travelling.

We try to be as flexible as possible and allow volunteers to take an additional day off now and then, on special request and with notice given well in advanced. Yet volunteers must be aware that most of our projects depend greatly on their assistance and that they have a responsibility towards the people involved in their program.

A typical weekday may look something like this:

Between 7:00 and 8:30 AM you’ll have breakfast at your homestay.

Depending on the project you’re volunteering at, work can take place either in the morning or the afternoon, and for those Teaching English or involved in extracurricular activities some working hours in the evenings can also be required. So you may work four to five  hours either in the morning or afternoon, or up to six hour throughout the day.

Evenings are free and you can take Spanish lessons, go out with friends, have dinner at home with your host family or go to a restaurant.

Weekends are free and they are the ideal time to go sightseeing and exploring the many tourists attractions with your new friends.