VTPEPH1

Volunteers with a sufficient level of Spanish are welcome for a minimum of 3 weeks.

This is an orphanage in Cusco that is managed by the government, but receives very little financial aid. They are therefore very happy to receive volunteers. There is a maximum of 70 children here, ranging in age from newborn to 18 years old. Some of these children have been abused or abandoned by their parents, sometimes simply because there is not enough money to support them.

The children live and eat in 7 small houses, each supervised by a “substitute mother”. The houses have sleeping rooms for boys and girls, 2 toilets, a kitchen and living/dinner room. The orphanage has its own bakery, a big common space as well as a psychologist, social worker, teachers for music, sports and to help the children with their homework.

Volunteers can help the mothers with daily household chores, the homework for the children, and activities such as theater, sports and games. There is some space for open-air activities and a field for sports. Volunteers with a psychology background may also help the psychologist on staff.

VTPEPH2

Volunteers with a sufficient level of Spanish are welcome for a minimum of 4 weeks.

An orphanage for girls, it is home to about 50 girls aged 1 to 18 years old. They live in the orphanage and attend classes in several different schools in the mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending on their age. There is a psychologist, a social worker and several teachers / tutors. They also have workshops making handicrafts, textiles and ceramics.

The children need help from volunteers with their homework and the various workshops that they participate in.

VTPEPH3

Volunteers with a sufficient level of Spanish are welcome for a minimum of 8 weeks.

This project is an orphanage for about 50 boys aged 6 to 16 years old. Some children are orphans and some have been abandoned by their parents. There is a set daily schedule that the children follow, and the main objective is to prepare them for society. They can learn how to weave, make shoes and use computers. There is a psychologist, a social worker and several other caretakers present. They have a new building and a lot more construction planned for the future.

As a volunteer, you can teach, lead workshops and help the substitute mothers with daily housework and chores related to the children such as cooking and washing. You can choose to come in the morning or the afternoon, or come for the whole day and have lunch with the children.

VTPEPH4

Volunteers with a sufficient level of Spanish are welcome for a minimum of 1 week.

Preference is given to volunteers willing to stay longer.

This orphanage, which lies in a suburb of Cusco, has been set up for children who are placed here by the authorities or whose parents are no longer alive. Some children come from very poor families and have been neglected. There are about 20 children here aged 1 to 17 years old. The objective of the project is to offer the children a perspective of a better future in a very pleasant environment. The emphasis here is on education and all the children go to school in the mornings. In the afternoon they do their homework and other chores before they can play or entertain themselves. The project also has its own restaurant, which helps the financial situation and allows for some of the children to train to become cooks or waiters.

There is a psychologist, a social worker and 3 nurses here as well as a cook and the director. Volunteers are welcome to come after 14:00. It is also possible to volunteer in the morning with the younger children who do not attend school yet. Students of psychology, pedagogy or social studies may also do a training period / internship/ practicum here and study the case studies and family background of the children.

VTPEPH5

Volunteers with a sufficient level of Spanish are welcome for a minimum of 4 weeks.

Approximately 40 boys aged 7 to 17 years live in this orphanage and some boys still have a parent. Most of the boys go to school in the afternoon and in the morning they must do their homework and other chores. The project has its own exercise room with some equipment and a supervisor.

Volunteers can help with the homework and then supervise sport training, teach English or undertake other activities with the children.

VTPEPH6

Volunteers with a sufficient level of Spanish are welcome for a minimum of 2-4 weeks.

This project is a shelter mainly for young girls that have been victims of (sexual) abuse and/or violence within the family. About 30 girls have been placed here by the courts, the police or the hospital and live here for up to 6 months at a time. Most of the little girls are still very young, aged from 1 to13 years old. There are also some teenage mothers with their children here, along with some very young boys up to 5 years old. The focus of the project is to provide security to the children. There is a sports field in the area and volunteers can use it with the permission of the director. There are workshops to teach them skills such as making handicrafts and weaving.

Volunteers can help them with homework or creative activities, or work with the psychologist and the teachers. Should you wish to create your own activities, you need to bring with you any special material.