Arts, Music & Sports (‘Making by Hand’) – Cusco, Peru

COME TO PERU AS A VOLUNTEER AND SHARE WITH VULNERABLE CHILDREN WHO CAN ACHIEVE WHATEVER THEY SET THEIR MINDS TO WITH THE EMPOWERMENT THEY DESERVE.

Volunteers help the children in different areas — music, English, sports, crafts, etc. — contributing to the development of skills that many children have but don’t know about, fostering their creativity, artistic abilities, and physical development through sport.

Activities

Volunteering is a deeply rewarding experience that offers opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Volunteers can take part in a variety of tasks, tailored to their skills, interests, and the residents’ needs. Some roles and activities include:

• Music workshops: help teach guitar, sax, electric organ, violin, and drums.
• English classes: help teach basic, intermediate, and advanced English.
• Sports classes: help with volleyball and soccer practice in the U8, U10, U12, U14, and U17 categories.
• Making cloth dolls: each volunteer learns the design, fabric cutting, hand sewing, painting, and assembly of cloth dolls.
• Toy building: they learn sanding, assembling the parts of a wooden toy car, polishing, and painting it.
• Making Christmas cards: designing and crafting unique, original Christmas cards.
• The dolls and wooden cars are given to poor communities in Cusco, and the cards are sold in October and November to raise funds for the Christmas celebrations in 5 Cusco communities and to buy gifts for the children who don’t receive cars or dolls.

A volunteer’s day to day

The volunteers you’ll live with come from all over the world and are very different people. But sharing such a profound experience gives the volunteer house a warm atmosphere of companionship and friendship that you feel the moment you land. It’s something close, something special.

Your day will start with a wonderful breakfast served with the greatest care and warmth by your accommodation hosts. Then you can head to the city center to discover its culture and iconic, historic sites. At midday you’ll return to your hostel for lunch and a rest, and at 2:30 pm transport will pick you up to take you to your volunteer project, where from 3:00 to 6:00 pm you’ll teach wonderful children who will be waiting for you with open arms and open hearts.

Accommodation and meals

The accommodation option in Cusco is a volunteer house near the city center, sharing a room between two people, or — for an additional cost — choosing a single room, with basic amenities.

3 meals a day are included, 7 days a week, of traditional Peruvian cuisine that you’re sure to love.

Each volunteer will be in direct contact with the project coordinator to ensure you have the information you need, so your stay is as pleasant as possible and you experience a
cultural exchange with the other volunteers (local and international).

The facilities include:

• Shared room (maximum 2 people; single room available at an additional cost).
•  Communal kitchen.
•  Pantry to store your food.
•  Private bathroom in each room with toilet and shower.
•  Hot and cold water.
•  Filtered water.
•  Wi-Fi.

Qué ver en Cusco 

Plaza de Armas: the heart of the city, surrounded by colonial buildings and the Cathedral.

Qorikancha: the ancient Temple of the Sun, covered in gold by the Incas.

Sacsayhuamán: an impressive Inca fortress with enormous carved stones.

San Blas neighborhood: known for its craft workshops and beautiful city views.

Puca Pucará: a red fortress, probably a tambo or administrative center.

Qenqo: an Inca ceremonial center with labyrinths and water channels.

Machu Picchu: the crown jewel. The Lost City of the Incas, an architectural and archaeological wonder you can’t miss.

• You’ll work at the Patrón San Sebastián volunteer house, in a neighborhood near the center of Cusco.
•  The program starts and ends in the city of Cusco.
•  Project duration: as long as you want… (minimum 2 weeks).
•  Arrival date: Friday or Saturday, your choice.
• Working days: 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

The program includes.

Our organized programs include everything (or almost everything), plus 24/7 supervision and support at the destination, so all you have to worry about is having a good time and living your experience.

•  Personalized pickup at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco, and transfer to your accommodation.
•  Orientation and training about Cusco, local customs, and the educational project where you’ll volunteer.
•  Accommodation in the Volunteer House/Hostel.
•  Daily transportation to the project and back to the volunteer house/hostel.
•  Three meals a day / seven days a week.
•  Support in Cusco and a permanent local coordinator 24/7, every day of the week.
•  Administrative costs.
•  Transfer to El Alto airport at the end of your volunteer program.
•  Certified €200 contribution to the CiENViDAS project.
•  International Volunteering Certificate from the CiENViDAS Foundation.

The program does not include.

•  Flight.
•  Travel and medical insurance. (*)
•  SIM card: highly recommended and affordable. We’ll help you get one.
•  TRAVEL INSURANCE: you must take out travel and medical insurance for your peace of mind. Or, if you prefer, we can offer our special insurance for volunteers, with coverage for cancelación, por un importe aprox. de 80€ (2 weeks).

You can deduct 100% of the program cost on your next tax return (in Spain).

Don’t wait — spots are limited.

• Prior training: No prior experience required — just enthusiasm and commitment!
• Minimum age: Be 18 years old at the start of the program. If you are a minor, you’ll need to present consent signed by your parents or guardians.
• Required documents:
  • Résumé (CV).
  • Completed pre-registration form.
  • Criminal background check up to date.
• Attitude: An adventurous, compassionate spirit and a certain inner strength.

This program is designed for people who want to transform lives while immersing themselves in an enriching culture.