Machu Picchu to Meaningful Projects – Volunteer in Cusco

I chose IVHQ after a lot of research because they offered the type of volunteer placement I wanted (teaching) in a country I had longed to visit (Peru) - at a reasonable cost. Communication was excellent from the outset; my coordinator (based in New Zealand) was always prompt to answer queries and to keep me informed. Everyone in the local team in Cusco was extremely welcoming and helpful throughout my three weeks there. They offer many opportunities for staff, teachers, volunteers, interns and students to interact, for example in weekly cooking and salsa classes (hint: book onto these really quickly as they soon fill up!) Also beyond the classroom, regular cultural activities are organised to enhance everyone’s experience of the language, history and traditions. Furthermore, the local team has strong links with a tour operator in Cusco who can advise on and book local trips (even a taxi to the airport!) and those further afield. I used this operator to visit Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain and both excursions were very well organised with engaging and knowledgeable guides (be prepared for very early starts and bring warm clothing, particularly for Rainbow Mountain). Staff and students at my volunteer placement were wonderfully welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. My homestay was also arranged through the local team and was comfortable, clean and provided a good, varied breakfast and evening meal each day (out of courtesy, please remember to tell your host if you will be absent for a meal). As is common in many homes in Peru, hot water is limited but cool, refreshing showers soon become the norm!

I can honestly say that Volunteering with IVHQ Bali. Was one of the best travel experiences in my life (and I have travelled extensively...) From the start, everything was so straightforward. Registration was quick and easy. and I felt that the organisation was legit and trustworthy despite being the the cheapest. There was plenty of friendly and efficient support from the admin team and on site. Most importantly, I felt the volunteering really was genuinely of benefit to the local community where the project was situated. I made a whole lot of new friends... local families as well as other international volunteers of all ages, learnt a great deal about the country that I would never have known from just visiting and, most of all, had so much FUN! I am just about to book my next IVHQ volunteering experience in Vietnam!!

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I've been volunteering in Cusco in November 2018 for one month with IVHQ. It was my first time in Latin America and I'm glad I choose Peru and particularly Cusco. Cusco is a beautiful city with so much to discover around it! You have many things to do in the city itself: the main square is amazing with a beautiful cathedral, you can go to the chocolate museum and make your own chocolate, you can go to the planetarium, you can go to Cristo Blanco and have a wonderful view on Cusco, you can go to many markets and so on! There are so much to discover and you can feel safe there. The food is amazing and quite cheap! The only thing is that I had some struggle to get used to altitude, so make sure you take medicines with you :) Many activities can be done around Cusco during your weekends : you can go to Lake Titicaca, to Machu Picchu, to rainbow mountain, to salt mines, to Humantay Lake. The "American Inka trail" office is really great to plan these trips. I did all my excursions with them and was never disappointed (there are in the same building than the IVHQ-Maximo Nivel staff in Cusco). The orientation on the first day was fine and clear. You can meet some people there. The IVHQ Staff in Cusco (which is "Maximo Nivel") is very nice and helpful. Don't hesitate to ask them if you have any question/problem with your program. They are checking on you at your volunteer placement and always ask if everything is fine. My homestay was really great and people there were so nice. It was at 30min/40min from the city center on foot but there were many bus available to go to the city center in 15min. The house was very comfortable and shared with 2 other volunteer girls. Our "house mother" was really nice and cooked many Peruvian dishes for us. I was volunteering in the animal care project and enjoyed it too. I first went to the dog shelter which is a bit far from Cusco but the dogs are really cute. They really need your attention and love! And then, I went to the small rescue center and was able to take care of turtles, parrots, deers, lamas, etc. It was a really great experience and you feel like you can really help them in their day-to-day tasks! I think that speaking Spanish, at least a bit, is very helpful to make the most of your experience in your homestay and in your volunteer placement. You have very good Spanish classes available with Maximo Nivel. So don't hesitate to go to Cusco with IVHQ you won't regret it! :)

Overall, if I can do this program again I would! The attitude you have is very important when teaching english is important. Especially if the kids are only 7 years old and up! Bear in mind when teaching (If you can not teach and explain the topic to someone like they are five years old then you are making it too hard!) this was a rule of thumb I tried to use when teaching and helping each student. Ensuring they understand, numbers, words, climate, landscapes, and Animals each with a simple lesson. With pictures, worksheets, games, tandem conversation, one on one practice and repetition. Key tip if you are doing this program for over two weeks take the time to learn Spanish it greatly improves the learning for the kids and your growth and experience while teaching english. I took Spanish classes for a total of 3.5 weeks and the kids will help you learn Spanish! Funny enough it is like an exchange or tandem conversation sometimes my Spanish greatly improved with the combination of lessons, and kids helping me. Correcting me and laughing at my broken Spanish! Practicing with kids is one of the best ways to improve your Spanish. You have nothing to lose they are young and only care to laugh, learn, and help you! Just like how you might find it funny when they are speaking english and say some words with a different accent. You are a team help each other get better at English and Spanish. I was very glad to have practiced Spanish and if there is one additional recommendation I would try to have done more tandem conversations or one on one Spanish lessons in addition to my group lessons as I have come to the final week my Spanish has really gotten stronger as a result of working with the kids and teaching English.

This program has taught me what it’s like to not only help the community in any way possible and the citizens of Peru but to really indulge into the Peruvian culture. The staff made sure everyday that I was doing okay and I was comfortable in my home stay and not only that they were there for every little problem and made sure I got the best medical attention needed when I fell ill. IVHQ made sure I was comfortable were I was placed and even changed my program when I wasn’t comfortable. They were such an incredible staff that made this experience so much easier and more fun. The program was so incredibly beneficial to the community it was amazing how much hard work and determination went into the animal protection shelter it melt my heart. Not only did the program supply us with tools necessary but they took the time to come in and put that hard work into use. It was such a life changing experience and I wish I could go back and do it a million times more.

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Overall, Volunteering with IVHQ was an amazing oppurtunity! I was able meet amazing other volunteers while working in a medical clinical in Cusco. As I am a nursing student it was an amazing oppurtunity to be able to see the medical system in Cusco. I was also able to tour Cusco and see amazing things such as Macchu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain! The accomedations and food was amazing and if give the opportunity I would go back in a heart beat!

IVHQ and local organization Maximo Nivel were awesome to work with. Both were very organized and made sure to tailor the program to best fit our group's needs. Our time in Cusco was utilized to the max. Never a dull moment and all very purposeful. Our group of five volunteered with InkaTerra for the jungle conservation for a week, where we helped out at the organic Gamitana Farm. We also had a chance to partake in other memorable experiences including a night walk, canopy walk, and swimming/canoeing in the Amazon. Everyone we worked with, from the staff to locals to other volunteers, were all great people! I would definitely recommend these two organizations for their excellent service.

I absolutely loved IVHQ and Maximo Nivel's program in Cusco, Peru. It was the most amazing experience of my life. My host family and the staff were awesome and I couldn't have asked for anything better. This experience was life changing and I never wanted to leave. I would recommend this program to everyone looking to lend a helping hand and explore the world.