Community Centers Volunteering in Lima, Peru

The moment I stepped into the airport, I felt welcomed and it was easy to figure out where to go to the accommodation. As for my stay, I found that the scheduled routine makes it easier to know what to expect in terms of house rules and what volunteers should be doing.

I met a lot of wonderful people on our trip to Ecuador and Peru. We had many unique experiences from the Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca to the Galapagos and the Amazon. Some days were physically challenging physically, many were fun and full of adventure. I definitely recommend going on a gap semester and taking a break from school and traveling the world with the most kind and amazing people I met. I met my best friends through this program. It was wonderful.

I was nervous for the program but after orientation I was acclimated to my peers, instructors, daily routine and being in an exciting new country. This trip inspired so much confidence in me by pushing me out of my comfort zone while being surrounded by such supportive people who ended up being some of my best friends. Our trip went very smoothly and we were lucky enough to have guides, teachers and hosts who were knowledgable, adaptable, funny and happy to talk to us. I feel like the program was so extensive in the types of places we saw and the different cultural activities and projects we were exposed to. Highly recommend for a gap year trip and anyone interested in improving their Spanish while looking to make some great friends! 10/10

I had such an amazing time and am so so grateful I got to be a part of it. My favourite moment was the first day there. The kids, not knowing who I was, ran up to us and were so excited to see us. They hugged us and made us feel so welcomed. Seeing the school and comparing it to my elementary school had the biggest impact on me. It is hard to see how different it is but it is so amazing to see how happy the students were. It was the best month of my life. I loved being at my placement and I loved how I got to experience a different culture completely. Try it out and I promise you will love your whole experience. Go in with an open mind and it will be blown.

Every time I arrived at the volunteer site, the kids would run to me and hug me. I learned how kids could be so mature and responsible at a young age. The kids from the refuge center really taught me a lot by just seeing what their life is like. You will gain a lot more than what you pay for. And you won't know what the world on the other side is like until you are there yourself. Traveling with a purpose and volunteering while exploring a new country is the way to do it. You will also meet the most incredible people there- other volunteers, local teams, and local people.

At first I was hesitant to leave collage even if it was just for a semester as I was slightly over a month away from my junior year. However, things took a bad turn in my personal life with several different things. I knew my campus was not a good environment for me at this point in time and I did not feel safe there anymore. Luckily my mother was kind enough to advise me to a gap year program and the when it came to choose between two I went with pacific discovery. And I definitely made the right decision. The people who came along with me were in relatable situations as I was even though I was the oldest in the group I was still able to make friends with them and as for one of them I can say I have set up a lifelong friendship with! PD South America program has offered me an unforgettable experience and has opened my mind up to so many new paths to take with my life and my future and I will be eternally grateful for them and the wonderful groups of people and instructors I was placed with!

As a first time volunteer and also my first time visiting South America, I was definitely nervous going in but also excited. It turned out to be such a great and rewarding experience. I would highly recommend this program to any first time volunteers/solo travellers - you'll feel right at home very quickly! I'm looking forward to volunteering again with IVHQ very soon!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewMay 13, 2019

Thanks loads Stacey for taking the time to provide this awesome review about the time you had with us on the IVHQ Peru - Lima Program. It's awesome to hear you were able to meet like minded people from all over the world, and that you felt like challenging yourself with the Teaching English project was very rewarding. We can't wait for you to volunteer with IVHQ again some time. Aydan - IVHQ Program Manager.

Volunteering in Lima, Peru with Aprendo Contigo, taught me how to be a positive light in tough times. I was a full time student at a local university and volunteered twice a week with Aprendo Contigo. At the hospital, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, I provided therapy to children with cancer. Every morning, volunteers and I would work and play with children of all ages, as they sat in their hospital beds receiving chemotherapy. From the fun of finger painting to playing an intense game of Jenga, we as volunteers brought a bright, smiling face and a positive attitude to their bedside. I will admit, this opportunity is not for the faint of heart. Working with sick children, was something I had never experienced before. I was used to teaching happy healthy kids. There were down moments that brought tears to your eyes, but there were moments that brought tears of laughter and joy. Volunteering with Aprendo Contigo taught me how to be a positive light in a time of sadness. I was a light to the kids and their families. It was the most rewarding experience I had in Peru. I wouldn't trade my time for anything. I encourage people to take time to see how you can be a positive light for someone in need.

Overall the experience was excellent. The locations where I conducted volunteer work were very flexible in terms of the hours that I needed to complete. In addition, the people I worked with were very friendly and patient in terms of the language barrier. Moreover there are a variety of volunteer opportunities abroad. I recommend this program to anyone looking for a volunteer experience abroad.

Studying abroad in Lima, Peru with ISA was my first study abroad experience and it was amazing! In fact, I loved it so much that I chose to study abroad again in South America two semesters later! I lived in Lima, Peru for 10 weeks with a host family. The first four weeks of my experience was spent taking classes and the last six weeks was dedicated to volunteer service at Casa McDonald del Peru and with Aprendo Contigo at Hospital del Nino. During the first month, I spent much of my time exploring the dynamic city of Lima. The city is so beautiful and vibrant. I loved the food, the rocky beautiful beaches, the museums, the night life, the cute little Inca Markets, and, most of all, the very patient and helpful program administrators.When I wasn't touring downtown Lima or Paragliding in Miraflores, I was studying for my classes. The professors were very friendly and both of my business classes were taught in English. Before delving into my volunteering experience, I must comment on the trip to Machu Picchu! This trip is already including in the cost of the program. Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world and rightfully so as it is the most beautiful and majestic monument that I have ever seen. Our trip to Cusco, without a doubt, is one the most memorable moments of my study abroad experience. The last 6 weeks of my trip were spent volunteering at two locations: Aprendo Contigo and Casa McDonald del Peru. The administrators and leaders at both locations were extremely patient in terms of the language barrier. They really welcomed all of the American volunteers and helped us improve our Spanish. While working with Aprendo Contigo, I worked very closely with ill children. The experience was very valuable because it taught me how to interact with patients and it gave me a little bit of insight on healthcare in Peru. For example, while I was there, I learned that many of the doctors in the public hospitals were on strike because they wanted higher wages. Conversely, while working at Casa McDonald del Peru, I had very little contact with ill children. Although they were living with their guardians in the house, most of the children spend most of the day in the hospital. My duties were to help out around the house in any way that was needed. My favorite aspect of volunteering here was the relationship I was able to build with the residents as well as the other volunteers. Overall my volunteer experiences at both locations were very fulfilling emotionally and mentally. I highly recommend this program.