GoAbroad

Volunteer with Children in Cusco, Peru

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$820Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
5.0 / 5Overall Rating
6Reviews
2006Year established

Program Overview

Spend your afternoons at Picaflor House, Globalteer's after-school programme in Cusco, high in the Peruvian Andes. Many of the children come from low-income families who moved from remote mountain villages, and some speak Quechua at home, so help with schoolwork is hard to find. Up to 80 children come to Picaflor House for free classes, homework help, a safe place to learn and a nutritious meal.

As a volunteer you'll support our local staff, helping with English lessons, homework, reading, arts, games and sport. You may also join our mobile library as it takes books and reading support to children in rural villages around Cusco. Volunteering runs Monday to Friday, 1pm to 5pm, leaving your mornings free to explore. No teaching qualification is needed – you'll get a full briefing and supervision. A background check is required for all volunteers.

Your stay includes airport pickup, Volunteer House accommodation, food for three meals a day (you cook in the shared kitchen), daily transport to the project, an orientation and city walking tour, a trip or activity every week with a Globalteer team member, and 24/7 support from our local coordinator. Host family and hotel upgrades are available.

Stay from 1 to 12 weeks, starting any Monday, all year round. Prices start at US$820 for one week at the Volunteer House. Families are welcome: under-18s can volunteer with a parent or guardian, with US$200 off for ages 13–17 and US$400 off for ages 12 and under.

Globalteer is a UK registered charity (no. 1119706) that has worked in Cusco since 2006. You book directly with us, with no agency in the middle, and your fee goes into your support and our projects.

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Program Highlights

Help local staff teach English and run activities at Picaflor House
Join our mobile library on visits to rural Andean villages
Support up to 80 children with homework, reading, arts and sport
Weekly trips, Spanish and salsa classes, and 24/7 local support
Book direct with a UK charity – no agency or registration fees

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
All Program Activity Costs
Wifi Costs
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation

Exclusions

International Airfare
Visa Fees
Travel Insurance
Optional tours (e.g. Machu Picchu)

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Cusco, Peru

Types & Subjects

  • Causes
  • Childcare & Children
  • Community Development
  • Education
  • English Teaching
  • Social Work
  • Street Children
  • Teaching

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Families, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks

Starts At

  • 1 week: $820

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Globalteer

5.0
6 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
6
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Volunteer Placement
5.0
Program Administration
5.0
Day to Day Life
5.0
Community Engagement
4.7
Living Situation
4.5
Health & Safety
3.8

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

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Showing 1-6 of 6 reviews

Burcu ErenTurkey · January 2019

Amazing time with lovely kids

I volunteered with Picaflor House in November 2018 for couple of weeks. I’ve never done an abroad volunteer program before so i had my doubts and hundreds of questions. Globalteer team put children into their heart and they direct you accordingly during your volunteer program. They answer each and every question with patience. The kids are amazing, teachers are so helpful and everything is so well organized that you don’t have anything to worry about. Cusco itself is a lovely city that I enjoyed a lot. I can’t stop talking & thinking about this amazing experience I had! Wish others would also find the opportunity and be as lucky as I am to have such an amazing experience! Thanks much for this great experience

PJ JamesCanada · August 2018

The children never failed to make me smile!

I made some wonderful friends that I'm still in contact with, the children never failed to make me smile even when I missed home - and Peru is a beautiful country with such lovely people. The Project Manager was amazing, I had a few problems during my stay and she sorted them quickly for me. Globalteer’s Development Manager was also very helpful, preparing lessons and assisting in the lessons amongst other things. The Picaflor House Manager was great, always smiling and helping me with my Spanish. Generally, the other volunteers were like-minded people who I made friends with and remain in contact with. I would definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone. They were professional and supportive throughout. Their staff are lovely and really helped me out. I also like the fact that a lot of the money goes towards the project. You can see where your money goes and how much the kids appreciate the program. If you’re on the fence and not quite sure then take my advice and go for it. It was the best thing I've ever done. I met amazing people and had a great time and I felt I made a difference to the children's lives. Please tell my story to as many people as you can and get more volunteers to the projects!

S. McP.England · November 2017

Volunteering in Cusco

I had a wonderful time visiting the project near Cusco, Peru. The children are happy to be there, as is the staff and other volunteers. I was involved in English, arts, games, and kindergarten classes and felt that I truly made a difference to the children's learning experience. The lunch programme seems to be very popular and the kids were eager to see what was on the menu every day! Globalteer was very helpful with every aspect of my volunteer application and helped me settle into Cusco life. I loved volunteering at the Peru Community Project and would highly recommend Globalteer.

Traveller_ForeverAustralia · November 2017

Excellent project

All the staff at the project are doing an amazing job and you can tell the project is making a real difference and impact in the community. The kids at the project are great, always so excited and welcoming of new volunteers and even when there is a language barrier this does not stop them finding ways to interact and communicate with volunteers. It is impossible not to be happy while at the project, as the kids happiest is just infectious. In addition to the project being fantastic, Peru & Cusco itself are just amazing - with the most lovely people and so much to do in your free time!

Robinhood26United States · November 2017

Awesome project!

This project is doing wonderful things for its community in Peru. The kids love attending the after-school program, and you can see it on their faces as soon as they walk in the door! They love meeting all of the new volunteers and are eager to participate and learn! The staff is friendly and incredibly helpful. My favorite memory was getting to participate in a day of fun and games during Halloween. We did activities normally practiced int he USA during Halloween like bobbing for apples, and the kids had an absolute blast! All the while they were happy to practice their English with all of the volunteers and staff. Peru is an amazing place, and getting to participate at this project is an amazing experience no one will ever forget!

JulesNovember 2017

Cusco volunteer

I volunteered in Cusco for 4 weeks and it was an amazing experience in an amazing city at an awesome project. I could't recommend it enough, the staff were great and kids were amazing. We helped out the local and foreign staff in arts, English classes, sports and games. The kids are given nutritional food to ensure they are healthy and education to help them in their futures. Cusco is a great place to volunteer with so much to do and see and Globalteer really helped the culture shock by being there for me in Cusco.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Globalteer.

How much does it cost to volunteer with children in Cusco?

From US$820 for one week at the Volunteer House, or US$1,950 for four weeks. This includes airport pickup, accommodation, food for three meals a day, daily transport, orientation, a weekly trip or activity with our team and 24/7 local support. There are no registration fees. Host family and hotel upgrades cost extra.

Can families or under-18s volunteer?

Yes. Volunteers aged 18 and over can join on their own. Under-18s are welcome when volunteering with a parent or guardian, with US$200 off for ages 13–17 and US$400 off for ages 12 and under. Groups and university trips can also be arranged.

Do I need teaching experience or Spanish?

No teaching qualification is needed. You'll get a full briefing and support from our local staff. You need good English or Spanish, and Spanish and salsa classes help you settle in.

What does a typical day look like?

Mornings are free to explore or rest. From 1pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday, you help local staff at Picaflor House with English, homework, reading, arts, games and sport. On some days you may join our mobile library on visits to rural villages.

Is a background check required?

Yes. A background check is required for all volunteers working with children. We explain what you need when you apply.

When can I start and how long can I stay?

You can start any Monday, all year round, and stay from 1 to 12 weeks.

What trips and cultural activities are included?

Every week includes one trip or activity with a Globalteer team member: a Pachamama ceremony (week 1), a Peruvian cooking class (week 2), Rainbow Mountain (week 3), a Cusco city tour by car (week 4) and the Sacred Valley (week 5). You also get weekly salsa classes, Spanish classes from week 2, a Cristo Blanco walk, a pisco cocktail class and a farewell dinner. Machu Picchu is an optional extra.

Are meals included?

Yes. At the Volunteer House, food for three meals a day is provided and you cook in the shared kitchen. Host family stays include all home-cooked meals. The hotel upgrade includes breakfast only.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

IF Social impact prize
Innovation in Crisis Response Finalist 2022
Innovation in Philanthropy 2020 Finalist
Innovation in Philanthropy 2020 Winner

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