Your typical day in Peru will depend on which placement you are assigned. Generally, volunteers begin work at about 8am during weekdays, and finish in the afternoon at around 4pm. At some placements, volunteers finish slightly earlier in the afternoon.
During the day, you will help run the centre’s activities. For example, you’ll plan and run educational games to help the children learn a skill. You can also be involved with teaching children the basics of reading and writing. All the work you do is added to our Global Impact Database, so we can monitor the progress of each child.
There will be a break at about 10:30am, where you’ll supervise children while they play. You’ll also get a lunch break. Remember to remind them to wash their hands when they come running back inside!
In the evenings, you will return to your host family for dinner.
We sometimes organise community activities on days when there is no school. These can include visits to a centre for the elderly, where you can spend a day providing companionship and support to elderly people. You could help prepare meals, or take members for walks. Other community activities can include planting vegetable gardens and painting educational murals at schools.
You can use your free time and weekends to explore Cusco and go beyond the city. We recommend being adventurous and trying as much of the local food as possible! Also: a visit to Machu Picchu is a must!
