Volunteer in Peru
Volunteer in Peru
Did you know AMAUTA Spanish School in Cusco organizes interesting opportunities for those who want to volunteer in Peru, especially for our Spanish Students? We think this is an excellent way to give back to Peruvian society and our volunteer coordinator selects the projects we work with carefully.
For the volunteers, being a Volunteer in Peru, Cusco, gives the opportunity to meet the local Peruvian people and to have an extraordinary living and working experience while speaking Spanish. Combine this with all you will learn and see during your travels in Peru, and you will easily understand why Volunteering in Peru is a once in a lifetime experience.
20 years of Experience: Volunteer in Peru
Many people choose AMAUTA Spanish School for Spanish Immersion Programs and volunteering in Peru, thanks to our over 20 years experience working with volunteer projects in Cusco.
Do you want to know what it is like to be a volunteer in Peru, in Cusco? Read about the work our volunteer Julius did while in Cusco! Julius is from Croatia originally, but has been living and working and the Czech Republic for many years. Right after his Spanish classes in Cusco, Julius volunteered at a local primary school in Cusco in the morning and an after-school program in the afternoon for around 2 and a half months.
Julius with the kids of sixth grade, the grade he worked with at the school
Julius, can you describe the daily activities you did at the school?
Usually, I helped out in the math class, as I feel confident in this area. Sometimes I even taught my own classes when teachers were absent. I also assisted in the computer lab, as IT is my primary occupation.
What struck you the most during your time volunteering in Peru?
When I came first time to the school, I was struck by the condition in which they work—and not only students but the teachers as well. And they do everything possible to give the students the best education they can, given the conditions. Now I know that it is a very hard job for all of them.
How was the school system in Peru different than the school system back in the Czech Republic?
Well, I think that the intention to give to the students the best education possible is the same. The only difference is the conditions in which the children live, and the teachers work. I think our students and teachers should come and try to study and work here in Peru and see the differences.
The two twins, at home with their mother with their new study space. (Photo: Julius Valka).
Do you have a favorite memory of your time volunteering in Peru? If so, what is it?
At one point during my 2 and half months in Cusco, I got sick and couldn’t come to class. I didn´t expect they had missed me too much. But on the day when I returned to class, the children ran to me and were asking me why I had not come and telling me that they had missed me and gave me lots of spontaneous hugs. It was very emotional for me.
I also became really good friends with the sixth-grade teachers because I spent so much time with them. I have good memories of our time together.
Tell me more about the special project you are working on concerning the two twins?
After one or two weeks of volunteering in Cusco, I noticed that there were some students who worked really hard and were always prepared for class. I noticed two students in particular, who turned out to be twins. I discussed the twins with some of the teachers. They told me that these brothers were not only excellent in the math classes, but in the other classes as well. They told me the story of their life and conditions in which they live. So, I decided to see how the twins lived for myself and believe me when I saw their living conditions, I could not speak.
But even though they lived this way, they still were some of the best students in the sixth grade. A thought ran in my mind – to help them in their studies in the form of the textbooks and prepare the conditions in their home to furnish them with the basic things they would need for studying. So I went ahead and bought them each a desk, chair, and lamp so they would not have to continue doing their homework and studying on their beds.
Julius with the twins at their school
With the help of the teachers, I would also like help the twins prepare for the entrance examination for COAR (Colegio de Alto Rendimiento), a prestigious national school where they could get the best education to be prepared for university.
But the next step is preparing the project to help others too. And not only at this school. I got to know some people who know where the help would be needed, and so we can also help other gifted students start a better life, by giving them access to better education.
Describe the daily activities you did at your second project, the after-school program located in the outskirts of Cusco.
This is very organized project. My daily activities were quite straightforward. Each day, the program has a set activity, which the volunteers help prepare on each Tuesday for the current week – playing with the children, English classes, and creative workshops, etc. However, lots of times, I still needed to improvise fun activities for the kids in their free time.
What struck you the most during your time volunteering here?
Well, this volunteer project services children from the outskirts of Cusco. They come from poor families, and it was very hard in the first days to understand their mentality for me as a “gringo.” But I think that after a couple of days, we started to understand each other more, and we had a really nice time together.
One of the participants giving Julius well wishes at his goodbye party
Do you have a favorite memory? If so, what is it?
The kids loved their cooking days, and as I also like to cook, I was happy to help them prepare their tacos, muffins, etc. I really liked these days.
Tell me more about the project you are thinking of coordinating, concerning the donation of clothes?
When I talked to my friends in the Czech Republic, they asked me if they could donate some clothes for the kids. So I spoke to the local coordinator of the project, about how we could coordinate a clothing donation. However, we are still in the preliminary planning stages of this project.
Julius with the children and the project coordinators
On behalf of the AMAUTA Spanish School, and the two volunteer projects, we want to say “thank you” to Julius for all of his hard work and dedication while volunteering in Peru!
Do you want to know more about Volunteering in Peru?
Contact us or
download our volunteer project list here.
Or read our Complete Guide to Volunteering in Peru.
