Discover Corps

Discover Corps Peru was a great program which went far beyond our expectations. It offered the unique combination of doing a service project in the community, lots interaction with the local people, as well as seeing some beautiful tourist sites, such as the famous Machu Picchu, Inca ruins around Cusco, beautiful cathedrals and native dancing. It took us off the beaten track to places not often seen in many overseas programs, such as walking up a mountain with a shaman to make an offering at an altar to Mother Earth, visiting an orphanage, or seeing the Q'ewar Project that empowers women through making dolls sold all over the world. The proceeds are used to fund and build a Waldorf School for local children. Our hosts Miguel and Julio and their family were wonderful--informative, flexible, accommodating and supportive.

The pacing on this trip was great. The group volunteered in the morning and went on outings, listened to speakers, or spent time together in the afternoon and evening. Program participants lived in a private home in an urban area, Quetzaltenango, and there was a short drive to the service site where we painted a classroom at a public school in a more rural area. Program participants were all different ages. Everyone was friendly and cooperative. The guide, Tara, was fantastic. There were hotel stays on both ends of the trip. I especially enjoyed getting to see the city of Antigua. I did have a problem during my travels. Due to weather conditions, I missed a connecting flight from Panama to Guatemala and arrived a day late. I used the Discover Corps emergency number, quickly received a call back, and I was met at the airport by another helpful guide, Orlando. I would definitely travel with Discover Corps again.

This trip was fantastic! The architecture alone was worth it. We met lots of ordinary people living their lives in a culture that was virtually self-sustaining, having a wonderful lack of corporate product presence. They have built social capital instead of financial and product capital. The tour guide was incredibly knowledge-able and welcoming.