Special Needs Volunteering in Lima, Peru

I felt so welcome there, the whole team in Lima were amazing! The actual volunteering was great and seems to have a real impact on those we were helping. The program was a lot of fun and I had a great time with all the people I met there. Lots of people came and went when I was there so I met loads of new people! I was able to do a wide variety of volunteering including a soup kitchen, painting and sanding a fence and house, childcare and helping in a carehome. We also had a lot of free time where we were able to spend exploring the local area which was incredibly cool and interesting!

The preparation checklist was an excellent resource. The local coordinators were absolutely excellent I cannot sing their praise loudly enough. They consistently looked out for us, helped us in any way they possibly could, and were always kind and approachable. The dog shelter is amazing and the people there are passionate and dedicated. I really looked forward to going to my volunteer placement every day and felt that I really built relationships with the shelter dogs. I loved spending time with them, and looking after them, and I think that the local staff do an amazing job with managing the volunteers.

My volunteer trip showed me that everyone, no matter their age or education is at a different place in their life. We have more than enough time to achieve anything you’d want. It also showed me how possible traveling while volunteering can be if you do it right and with the right intentions. It’s way less scary when you get there, everyone is secretly scared to some extent too. The people in your house are there to help and support you. It feels much less lonely and scary immediately after you arrive.

It was my first volunteering experience abroad and I was so excited about the trip. I was really happy with IVHQ support services. They handle everything perfectly; from the moment I arrive to the host country to the moment I leave. The host program picked me up at the airport and from then, they provide continuous support. I did the construction project, which was awesome and lot of fun. The materials for the work were provided and the coordinator of the project is skillful and kind. During the weekends, I had the opportunity to travel around the country and explore the area. I had the opportunity to travel to Cusco and to climb the Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain. The accommodation and the food provided by the host program were really good. For me, the best part of the experience is meeting other volunteers from all around the world and sharing good memories. I would definitely come back anytime soon and I highly recommend to have your lifetime volunteering experience with IVHQ!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewNovember 15, 2018

Hi Vincent, thank you for taking the time to share such a wonderful review about your time in Cusco! It's awesome to hear that your first time volunteering was so memorable and that you were able to enjoy a mixture of volunteering and sightseeing. We would love to have you join us again soon! Courteney - IVHQ Program Manager.

It was a great experience and I got to be involved in the culture and learn new things about Peruvians. I thought the local team in Peru did an amazing job and the in-house coordinator was really on top of the ball. I highly recommend this program to any one who wants a more affordable option. I do suggest bringing more money than you think you'll need just because I know I ended up spending more than I thought I would.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewNovember 15, 2018

Hi Kayleen, thank you for taking the time to share your experience in Cusco! It's sounds like you had a wonderful experiencing the Peruvian culture. We would love to have you join us again soon! Courteney - IVHQ Program Manager.

I could not have imagined a better experience. From working with kids to exploring, it all was amazing. I specifically loved being able to do things I would never normally do-paragliding, sand dunes, hiking 4600 meter peaks, taking tiny crowded buses everywhere, dancing with locals. It was all so special and fun! And I loved seeing the love and care that the mamas provided in the orphanages. It felt good to be able to support them. The local staff was so supportive and attentive. Plus getting ready for the program, the website/profile, and correspondence was super professional and attentive too. I felt ready for the trip when it came around and felt safe and secure the whole duration of my stay.

Volunteering in Lima was a life changing experience. I know this is the cliqué thing to say, but it honestly did change my life. Volunteering allows you to remember, in case you've forgotten, how lucky you are. Others are much more unfortunate than you are. Being able to give your time and effort to help others is so full filling and life enhancing. I feel in love with helping others, and now, even being back home, I´ll continue to volunteer with kids with special needs and I´ll never stop doing it. IVHQ provided me with much more than just a volunteering program. Volunteering with IVHQ is an amazing experience because they link you with a honest and reliable local organization. People from all over the world come to volunteer and because of this you will be able to make the best friendships ever. You might just know some people for a few weeks and still make friendships to last a life time. I volunteered for 2 months and loved it! I would really recommend this amazing experience for anyone who's willing to go out of their comfort zone and whose ready to help others! do it, you won't regret it.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewJuly 31, 2018

I appreciate you leaving this amazing review about your time with IVHQ volunteering in Lima, Isabel! Hearing that this volunteer program changed your life is very heartwarming and the fact that it has inspired you to continue giving back to communities by volunteering back home is the perfect result. We often hear from volunteers that they have made lifelong friendships by volunteering on IVHQ programs so that is certainly great to hear that this was true of your experience too! I hope you continue to venture out of your comfort zone finding opportunities like this one in Lima and all the best for the future! ^Aydan - IVHQ Lima Program Manager

Traveling to Peru and working with Tarpuy Sonqo resulted in two unforgettable, humbling, educational, and incredibly enjoyable weeks and I would go as far as to say these were two of the best weeks of my life. I was able to explore Peruvian culture and have tourist experiences all while volunteering in the medical program with the kind people of Pachacutec. Our host family was amazing and I made friends who I am still in contact with to this day. Thank you IVHQ!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewJuly 31, 2018

It is definitely great to hear that you had a fantastic time on the Peru - Lima Program! It sounds like you struck the perfect balance between giving back by volunteering and experiencing a beautiful culture like that of Peru. I know that your work in Lima was very much appreciated and that the medical assistance you provided the people of Pachacutec was well needed. All the best for the future Juliana! ^Aydan - IVHQ Lima Program Manager

IVHQ was the absolute best program for a first time volunteer. They were with me every step of the way and couldn’t have been more helpful. We had free time too the sightsee and explore the city. I can’t wait to do another one with them!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewJuly 19, 2018

Hi Sarah! Thanks for sharing your review with us, it sounds as though you've had a fantastic time on the program. We look forward to having you join us again sometime soon. ^Jordan - IVHQ Community Manager

My week in Peru teaching English with IVHQ was one of the best weeks of my life. I met people on the trip that will be lifelong friends. I never would have expected that a single week would change my life in the way it did. The schools that I had the privilege to volunteer enhanced this incredible experience. Working with the children was not only helpful for them but humbling for the volunteers. Our coordinator Tiffani was absolutely fantastic with making sure we were prepared for everything in our placement and where we stayed. The family we stayed with were absolutely marvelous in creating a home for us while we were there. I was drawn into IVHQ and the Lima, Peru volunteer placement for the affordability and the wonderful teaching program. The only regret I have is that I was only there for a week. I've already started fundraising to go back for even longer! If anyone is considering going on one of these trips, I would highly recommend travelling to Peru. The people, food, culture and experiences are amazing and all make up an opportunity you do not want to miss out on!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewApril 04, 2018

Hi Zach, we're stoked to hear you had such an amazing experience and that you are already looking to return to Peru! I know it is important to the staff and host families that you feel prepared and comfortable during your stay so it's awesome you felt at home and ready to contribute to your program. ^Lachlan - IVHQ Peru Lima Program Manager

I first volunteered with IVHQ in 2016. After my first experience, I knew that I had to do it again. I chose to travel to South America this year, specifically Lima, Peru. Going in, I had no real expectations except to go in with an open mind and an open heart. My time in the childcare program was unbelievable. I got to interact with teenage moms, their babies and the staff. Everyday I went into work feeling so blessed and excited to share my skills but also to learn new skills from the girls. Everyone was so kind and helpful every step of the way. I ever felt unsafe or unwanted. I also really loved my volunteer house. By the end of my two weeks, I had gotten to know my fellow volunteers so well that I felt like I was leaving best friends behind. Volunteering both times with IVHQ have left me feeling so blessed and grateful to get the opportunity to experience something like this on my lifetime. I always recommend the organization to my friends and family because I want them to experience all the great things I did. I will without a doubt be signing up with IVHQ for a third time, I am in love with them.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewNovember 13, 2017

Hi Ashley, Thanks for your great review! It has been awesome to have you join us in Lima and we are so happy to hear that you had another inspiring and gratifying experience. Thanks for recommending IVHQ and we can’t wait to have you join us again! <br/>Lachlan – IVHQ Peru Lima Program Manager

I've wanted to volunteer somewhere since my late teens, and have wanted to go to Peru since around the same time. I'm now 36, and still hadn't done any of the things I wanted to. Once I'd made the decision to do it, Peru was the obvious choice of location. It was to be an easy way in to starting an 8 month trip around South America. I don't really know if I had expectations of what it would be like, all I knew was that I really wanted to make a difference to some lives. I have wanted to do a construction project since the time I decided I wanted to volunteer - so that's what I did! Completely different to my actual career as a Teacher of Geography... I registered with IVHQ, and signed up to do 4 weeks volunteering in construction with their charity in Lima called "Tarpuy Sonqo." It's in Quechua (the Andean language) and it means "Spreading Love." I then set about organising my trip - finally! I was met at the airport by Wilmer, their very tiny, crazy driver. His favourite joke is to hand the keys to the volunteer and pretend that they will be doing the driving! At one of the traffic light stops he pulls out a phone and insists on taking a selfie. I'm fairly confident this is the only English word he knows... The volunteer house is actually the charity owner's family home. She lives there with her husband, two sons and wonderful mother (who insists we call her Gran/Abu). You immediately start meeting all the existing volunteers and the other new ones that arrived on the same day as you. By the time orientation happens, you already feel welcomed into both the volunteer family, and the actual family. Working/volunteering hours are from 8am - 12.30pm 5 days a week, although some projects also work a couple of afternoons a week. You all have the option of working in the afternoons if you want to (which I did do sometimes). From my very first day of work, I knew I loved it. I was helping to build a children's play park in an orphanage for disabled and special needs children and teenagers. The project was in it's final stages when I joined, which meant I got to see the final result. Working on the project was hard work at times, but always so much fun. I got to work with some amazing volunteers, and our coordinator from the charity really got involved too. I've made a couple of really amazing friends from the construction project, and I think they are lasting friendships. You can't always say that. It quickly became apparent that four weeks was not sufficient. I wasn't ready to go (and I really wanted to help get the park finished). I signed up to do an extra two weeks. This was another fantastic decision of mine. Spare time in the volunteer house was so much fun. There were crazy nights out and weekend trips away from Lima. Tarpuy Sonqo made it clear that they wanted us to travel whilst we were there, so we were allowed to take days off to go to other places. Without a doubt, my favourite trip was to the Amazon Rainforest near Iquitos. A truly incredible experience! I had several more weeks in Peru after volunteering finished, so I did the most obvious trip during that time (Machu Picchu lives up to the hype). The rooms in the volunteer house had about 4 beds in each, most had their own bathroom, and there was always lovely hot water. The cook in the house was fantastic! Sole definitely deserves a mention all of her own! When my six weeks were up (with the project still a few days from completion), I had to hold back the tears as I left. I was about to embark on the travel part of my trip, which was really exciting, but I was so sad to leave my friends, the volunteer house, Lima, and my project. Four weeks later, I had to return to Lima for a week and a half to collect a parcel. As I was there for so long, it seemed obvious that I should volunteer again, so I signed up for another week. The park was now finished, and the next construction project hadn't started yet, so I volunteered in their childcare/special needs programme. For three days I returned to the orphanage for disabled and special needs children where I had built the park, and I got to witness the park being used and how much joy it brought to the children. It was wonderful! For the other two days, I went to the care home for adults with disabilities and special needs. I loved this week so much. Both the children and the adults were so loving. All they want to do is hug you and dance with you. It was a heart-warming experience. Leaving Tarpuy Sonqo for a second time was equally as hard. Lidia, Maddi, Calvin, Carlby and all the other coordinators do a fantastic job, and they really make the volunteers feel welcome and appreciated. I can't recommend this project and IVHQ enough. It was the best thing I have ever done, and yes, it was a brilliant way to ease myself in to travelling around South America. I am now four months into my eight month trip, and I am loving it all. And I still love my volunteer family. Lima is my home away from home.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewMarch 14, 2017

Hi Amber, Wow! What an awesome review! We couldn’t be happier that you chose to volunteer in Lima as a starting point for your South America adventure. What a great way to ease into such a huge trip and to build a home base for you to return to if you ever need it. It sounds like the work you were involved in was very worthwhile and the photos of the playground you helped complete look amazing. How special is it that you were able to return to your placement to see the playground getting good use?! We are stoked to hear that you are loving your South America trip and we hope to hear more from you in the future. <br/>Charlotte – IVHQ Peru Cusco Program Manager

This was overall a good experience. The family that hosted the volunteers are very friendly and kind. Peru is a beautiful country. There was a lot of free time, so I thought that more time could have been spent at the volunteer centers.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2017

Thanks for sharing. We are happy to hear that you had a good time in Lima and experienced kindness and beauty. It is important to have a balance between volunteering and free time, although it can be hard to get this balance right for all volunteers. If you have any suggestions regarding the program please let us know - we will be happy to take your feedback on board! <br/>Lachlan – IVHQ Lima Program Manager

When I got in the plane to Lima, I was expecting to volunteer with orphanage kids and try to make a small impact in their everyday lives, without really knowing if I was helping them in the long-term, though I thought it might be worth it anyway; even if I only made a small difference in a child's day, I would be happy. I was also expecting that this experience would be positive for my resumé, as an International Development student, and I was hoping to meet a few people along the way, but I was sure that ultimately I would be relieved to finish volunteering and leaving to travel on my own. However, this is not how my experience went. Even though I only did two weeks volunteering with IVHQ/Tarpuy Sonqo, I have learned more about myself in that period of time than in the last year, I got to be part of a Peruvian family and learn about their culture and way of life, I had the chance to spend time and create strong bonds with teenage mothers who are in a difficult situation, and I got to meet people who ended up becoming very important to me. At the end of it all, I couldn't care less about my resumé and couldn't be more heartbroken about leaving the volunteers, coordinators, homestay family and inspiring teenage girls. When my two weeks were done, I felt like the richest person in the whole world, because I had lived a priceless experience which I will remember forever and am eager to repeat.

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewOctober 11, 2016

Thanks for your beautiful review! We’ve loved having you as an IVHQ volunteer and we are so humbled to hear how life changing this experience has been for you. We would be thrilled to have you join us again in the future.

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.

Going to Lima, Peru put a lot into perspective. The orphanage experience had an incredible impact on my life. I would recommend volunteering abroad to anyone any age. It is a great work to experience new things while at the same time making a positive difference. If its even a blimp in your mind, just do it and make it happen! Thanks IVHQ for helping me make it happen

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewJuly 06, 2015

Hi Marcades, No problem! We are glad that your 2 weeks volunteering in Peru - Lima was such a positive experience. We hope to see you back on another IVHQ program at some point soon.