Alumni Interview with Rosie Brockett

What inspired you to go abroad?

I worked in the UK at a school and college for students with special educational needs and was passionate about the therapy areas of this work. After three years it felt like the right time to move on. A volunteer work placement with Kiya Survivors really appealed to me as a great way to gain greater skills and experience working with young people with special needs and disabilities, and being able to help hands-on with the Kiya Therapy Team. As a keen traveler, I'd always wanted the chance to visit South America, and Kiya's location offered the perfect opportunity to explore the fantastic country of Peru!

Why did you choose Kiya Survivors?

I was very much drawn to the opportunity to work at The Rainbow Centre to add upon my existing experience of working with young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. I was really enthused to be able to work alongside the Kiya Therapy team and develop new skills in an area which was of particular personal interest to me. I also really respected the whole community-conscious ethos of Kiya, working alongside local Peruvian authorities to create and maintain sustainable, ongoing social change - it was really important for me to contribute to an ethical volunteer/travel placement, which I felt Kiya definitely delivered.

What was your favorite part about Peru?

The chance to fully immerse myself in life here - working alongside the Peruvian Kiya staff team, living in wonderfully welcoming homestay accommodation with a local family, learning Spanish from scratch, and becoming more and more at home in my daily life in the Sacred Valley.

What made your experience abroad unique?

Everyone was so warm and welcoming and I was amazed how quickly I felt at home here. Peru was a fascinating country full of interesting sights to see, delicious food to taste, and adventurous outdoor activities to experience - but it really was the people I met along the way that made my journey quite so memorable. Through Kiya, I have made several life-long friends.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The Kiya staff team are an incredible bunch of people to work with. It was a pleasure to feel a part of this close-knit dedicated team during my volunteer placement.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

Finding out about the reserve at El Nuro on the north coast sooner!! This part of the coastline is an area under national protection to preserve and protect its wildlife - the best place around to swim with turtles in their natural habitat!! A big highlight of my time in the Mancora area where Kiya runs their Mama Cocha Centre.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

During the week, work starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Rainbow Centre, usually after a freshly made fruit juice and breakfast alongside the locals in Urubamba market! The children make every day different and are a joy to work with! You assist in the classrooms during their lessons, help them with art projects, music sessions, dancing, gardening, football, volley, and all sorts of fun and games!

There are opportunities to shadow the Kiya therapists at work, helping the physiotherapist hands-on with her patients. The school day finishes at 1:00 p.m. Then there are a couple of hours to break for lunch. Then in the afternoon, you support the Rainbow House children's care home helping the house mum with the daily running of the home and caring for 11 young people. This includes helping the children with their homework from school, and organizing activities for them like trips out to the local park or swimming pool, baking, pizza-making, arts and crafts, and teaching them English lessons.

At the Mama Cocha Centre in the north of Peru Volunteers stay in Mancora town and travel the short bus-ride over to the tiny fishing town of Los Organos daily for work at the Centre. You support at all aspects of the facilities that the Centre has to offer the people of this community - parent workshops including the Mama Cocha bakery project, therapy centre, Tres Pasitos nursery for children under five, and the afternoon "functional skills" program for young people with learning difficulties.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

The Sacred Valley has tons to offer in your free time! Yoga, salsa classes, hiking, and other outdoor sports like mountain biking, quad biking, climbing, kayaking... the list is extensive! Cusco city is only an hour or so on the bus for bustling nightlife. There's a fantastic local brewery just minutes from Urubamba town centre and you'll be staying in the heart of the ancient Incan capital where there are many fascinating ruins to explore including the world wonder of Machu Picchu! In Mancora you can relax on the beach and its famous for surfing! There's also the swimming with turtles tour and day trips out further afield to the edge of the jungle!

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

My accommodation was a homestay with a local family who instantly made me feel very welcome and at home. They were very attentive hosts and went out of their way to make me feel welcome - plus it was excellent opportunity to improve my Spanish!

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Be flexible! Peru is a developing country and things can sometimes be very different to how we expect them to be in Western cultures! Be prepared to adapt and go with the flow!

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

Volunteering with Kiya Survivors has been truly life changing for me. I've developed new skills and confidence, learned a whole new language, and it has lead to other opportunities I would never have imagined!

Would you recommend Kiya Survivors to others? Why?

Absolutely 100% yes! A small organization making a BIG difference right where it is needed in the local community. A truly commendable charity to get involved with and support.