What will I be doing?
On arrival you will have induction where you will learn more about Huaraz, the specifics of Seeds, and further information on your role at the school. You will also be introduced to the students, director and school coordinator.
Each day will differ but volunteer tasks include:
Interest or experience in social work, art, the environment, literacy & numeracy intervention, health education or fundraising are of particular interest to the project. For example a past volunteer with developed and implemented a programme called “Paso a paso” (Step by Step) focused on building student self-esteem and motivation, goal setting and overcoming difficult circumstances.
Each day will differ but volunteer tasks include:
- Helping with homework; Spanish, English, Maths and other subjects One-on-one tuition with children who are struggling
- Assisting with individual learning, setting targets and working one-on-one with children to build confidence
- Taking informal lessons or leading activities
- Arranging creative activities; music, arts and crafts
- Leading active games and sports
- Helping on the nutrition awareness program, healthy living and hygiene education
- Preparing and serving healthy and nutritious meals
- Working with parents to raise awareness of the importance of health and education
- General maintenance / cleaning at the school
- Fundraising / awareness and engagement activities for the project
Interest or experience in social work, art, the environment, literacy & numeracy intervention, health education or fundraising are of particular interest to the project. For example a past volunteer with developed and implemented a programme called “Paso a paso” (Step by Step) focused on building student self-esteem and motivation, goal setting and overcoming difficult circumstances.
Requirements
Volunteers should be:
- In good physical and mental health
- Able to communicate in English, additionally the ability to communicate in Spanish is a useful skill although not essential for the role
- Have a positive attitude, including towards living and working in a team
- Have the confidence to speak in front of groups and lead activities
- Be open minded and adaptable
- Be willing to embrace the challenges of the project
- If you have any of the following skills or experience this is also very helpful for the volunteer role: teaching or similar experience, such as mentoring.
Challenges
Environment:
- Altitude - Huaraz is at an elevation of just over 3000m which can cause altitude sickness at the start of your trip.
- Peru is generally conservative, with Catholic values instilled throughout society. This includes attitudes towards gender roles, relationships, religion and behaviour.
- Attitudes towards time-keeping and plans can be relaxed in Peru.
- Language barrier – if you have no experience with Spanish, you should be prepared to embrace this challenge as many of the locals and children at Seeds do not speak any English. However, support can be found from our director, Volunteer Coordinator and local Spanish tutor who all speak fluent English.
- Working a minimium of six hours per day can be very tiring.
- You may experience culture shock,
- You may experience homesickness, this is most common in your first few days,
- Working with children from difficult backgrounds can be emotionally challenging,
- Emotional attachment to the children,
- Working and living with a diverse group of volunteers from different ages, nationality and backgrounds.
Support
You will be supported throughout your placement by our local director and the Volunteer Coordinator who also live onsite. They will oversee your volunteering work, meet with you regularly and be there to support you during the entirety of your placement.
About Huaraz
Peru Essentials
Time | UTC -5 hours |
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Currency | Peruvian Nuevo Sol (usually just referred to as Sol) |
Language | Spanish |
Phone Code | +51 |
Electricity | 220V usually 2 flat pins or 2 round pins |
Climate
Due to the nearby mountains, Huaraz experiences a slight tropical climate with sunny dry mornings and cooler evenings – often experiencing a tropical shower in the afternoon. The wet season runs from November to April which this means that the afternoon rains are heavier at this time of year. Due to the altitude the sun is particularly strong throughout the year so skin protection is vital.
There is no bad time to volunteer at Seeds of Hope and volunteers are needed all year.
Due to the nearby mountains, Huaraz experiences a slight tropical climate with sunny dry mornings and cooler evenings – often experiencing a tropical shower in the afternoon. The wet season runs from November to April which this means that the afternoon rains are heavier at this time of year. Due to the altitude the sun is particularly strong throughout the year so skin protection is vital.
There is no bad time to volunteer at Seeds of Hope and volunteers are needed all year.
Medical
There are good private medical clinics in Huaraz which volunteers can visit in case of illness or injury.
In cases of more serious illness or injury then you would need to be evacuated to the capital and onwards to home for a higher standard of medical care. This would be arranged through your insurance company.
This section gives some guidelines but you should take advice from your doctor or travel clinic.
In cases of more serious illness or injury then you would need to be evacuated to the capital and onwards to home for a higher standard of medical care. This would be arranged through your insurance company.
This section gives some guidelines but you should take advice from your doctor or travel clinic.
- Arrange to see your doctor or travel clinic as soon as possible.
- Inform your doctor that you will be volunteering in Peru and tell them the nature of the project
- Please note that if you do not have recommended vaccinations or medication it may invalidate any related medical claim through your travel insurance
- If there is any change to your health before your placement you must inform Pod Volunteer
Vaccinations and other medical requirements The UK National Health Service currently recommends that as well as being up to date with the standard vaccines for life at home, should have the following vaccinations for travel to Peru |
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Recommended | To be considered |
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Malaria is not currently present in Huaraz but if you are travelling around Peru after your placement you may need to take anti-malarials on advice from your doctor / travel clinic. | |
Yellow fever is not currently a risk in Huaraz but is present other regions of Peru. Additionally if you are travelling from risk areas (in Africa or South America) you are required to have the yellow fever vaccination and carry a certificate to be allowed into the country. |
For more information on vaccinations and health risks please see:
- Country specific information: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america-- antarctica/peru.aspx
- Malaria information and prevention: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria.aspx
- General: www.nathnac.org
Budgeting
In addition to the cost of the volunteer placement, you will need to budget for other costs.
Category | Cost estimate (GBP/USD) / notes |
---|---|
Flights | Price will depend on time of year, how far in advance you book and where you will be flying from. |
Internal travel to the project | Bus to Huaraz - £15 / $20, pickup from the bus station is free (Flight to Huaraz - £85 / $125, taxi from Huaraz Airport £8 / $13) |
Travel insurance | Price depends on insurer and extent of cover |
Vaccinations | Check with your doctor or travel clinic |
Living costs | £75 / $115 per week - Main meals are not included in the placement, so this is to cover food, snacks, drinks and laundry. |
Free time tourist / adventure activities | This will depend on what activities you choose to do and could increase your costs significantly |
Return travel | Bus to Lima - £15 / $20 (Flight to Lima - £85 / $125, taxi to Huaraz Airport £8 / $13) |
Please note that any costs are a guide only and are subject to change. You should make sure you have enough money as well as some back up funds. |
Language
Whilst Spanish is not a mandatory requirement for this project, we believe that volunteers will get more out of the experience the more Spanish they can speak so we recommend learning as much as possible beforehand. Learning the language is greatly appreciated by the locals and can lead to a deeper cultural experience. When contacting the Volunteer Coordinator, ask for the vocabulary list for the most popular words and phrases needed while volunteering. These are a great start to improve your communication with the students!
Please be aware that for volunteers with very limited or no Spanish language skills, the language barrier will be a challenge and you should be prepared to take this challenge on with a positive attitude.
We encourage volunteers to go with an open mind and be willing to learn phrases to help you to interact with children. It is important to remember that even if you can’t clearly communicate with the students in Spanish, just giving them individual attention and spending time with them can make a lasting impact.
If you would like to learn Spanish whilst you are in Peru, you can easily arrange lessons with a lovely local teacher and friend of the project, Ethel. Lessons are held in the volunteer apartment on request, they currently cost approx. US $6 per hour.
Please be aware that for volunteers with very limited or no Spanish language skills, the language barrier will be a challenge and you should be prepared to take this challenge on with a positive attitude.
We encourage volunteers to go with an open mind and be willing to learn phrases to help you to interact with children. It is important to remember that even if you can’t clearly communicate with the students in Spanish, just giving them individual attention and spending time with them can make a lasting impact.
If you would like to learn Spanish whilst you are in Peru, you can easily arrange lessons with a lovely local teacher and friend of the project, Ethel. Lessons are held in the volunteer apartment on request, they currently cost approx. US $6 per hour.