Destinations - Peru | Volunteers Without Borders International Volunteers Without Borders - Volunteer Abroad

LIFE IN PERU

Perched on the western coast of South America, Peru is a country that exudes an intriguing blend of ancient treasures and natural wonders. With its diverse landscapes encompassing the jagged peaks of the Andes Mountains, the vast Amazon rainforest, and the enigmatic ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru is a mesmerizing destination for travellers, adventurers, volunteers and history buffs alike. Steeped in a rich cultural heritage, Peru boasts a fascinating tapestry of indigenous traditions, colonial influences, and vibrant festivals. The vibrant cities of Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa showcase a harmonious fusion of past and present, where bustling markets coexist with contemporary art and gastronomic delights in a tantalizing blend for the senses. Peru's warmth and hospitality are equally unmatched, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local way of life and forge unforgettable connections with its friendly people. Whether exploring ancient civilizations or embarking on thrilling outdoor expeditions, Peru promises a captivating journey that leaves a lasting mark on the soul.

MAKE YOUR NEXT VOLUNTEER TRIP COUNT BY BECOMING PART OF A WORTHWHILE CAUSE AND JOINING OUR TEAM IN peru TODAY!


 

ISSUES FACING PERU

The challenges facing this country involves harsh exploitation of mineral resources which causes high levels of pollution, uses up scarce water supplies and fails to uplift the local people struggling to survive in their daily life of poverty. Indigenous groups in the Amazon and Andean mountain regions argue that the mines, dams and oil fields are destroying their ancestral lands and they are demanding recognition and protection over these areas. Over the last decade and a half, Peru has become one the world's largest producer of coca leaf, and now rivals Colombia for cocaine production. According to reports in 2009, drug trafficking made a major contribution to the economy and accounted for nearly 17% of the country's GDP. Environmentalists are concerned about the impact coca growing and cocaine production is having on the rain forests, both because of deforestation and the dumping of the chemicals involved in the drug's manufacture.

how you can help

As a volunteer, you can provide one of the greatest gifts to the people in this country, which is Education. It is believed that Education alone cannot eliminate poverty but is one of the greatest contributors to it. You will be given an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of others and in doing so, the people you will work with will also make a difference in yours. The programs we offer are designed to provide an ethical volunteering experience whereby volunteers will not only share their skills but will also learn about the local communities getting to know the people and their culture. We are actively looking for enthusiastic and empathetic volunteers who want to experience community life while getting involved to make a difference with local projects, which are designed to help the most vulnerable children in Peru. If you venture to this foreign land the rewards will pay off instantly and your experience in the country will leave you wanting more. We recommend spending an extra week or two, either before or after your placement, to take in the sights and also to walk along some of the famous hiking trails that span throughout the Andes mountain ranges.


ESSENTIAL COUNTRY INFORMATION:

CAPITAL CITY: Lima
POPULATION:  27.9 million
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 69
CURRENCY: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
TIME ZONE: UTC -05:00
LITERACY PERCENT: 91
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE(S): Spanish, Quechua, Aymara

WEATHER AND CLIMATE: The weather in Peru varies according to the geographical region. This means that the weather in cities like Lima and Trujillo hovers between 60°F - 80°F all year, with almost no rain, but 77°F - 95°F (25°C-35°C) or even higher along the north coast. There is often snow in the mountainous regions and hot temperatures are common along the coastal regions. Along the coastline, winter season is between the months of June to September. During this season along the coastline, the weather tends to be overcast and mild humidity, and the temperatures remain warm throughout the day. During this season in the mountainous regions, temperatures are warm and often sunny during the day but colder at night. The rainy season in the mountainous regions of the Andes begins in September and peaks between January to March. Heavy rainfall occurs in the mountains and jungle regions during the months of December to April. In general, along the coastal regions, the rainfall is moderate and hot for the majority of the year.

WILDLIFE RESEARCH & NATURE CONSERVATION

VARIOUS UNIQUE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST

Location: various locations across different regions

These programs were designed to build a world where nature conservation and sustainability thinking are cornerstones of a society's development and well-being, resulting in a healthy and prosperous planet Earth for everyone. The goal and aim of these programs are to identify and implement long lasting methods to conserve Peru's biological and cultural diversity while contributing to the improvement of people's lives. Our programs are focused on scientific research; environmental education; green business development; collaborative engagement with local communities, companies, government institutions and donors; as well as skills training and team-building among the young, advocacy and information sharing. Become a volunteer, intern, thesis researcher, ecotourist, photographer, filmmaker, educator or sponsor. Our teams are active throughout the year in lowland rain forest and upland cloud forest in the Amazon Basin, ranging far through forest and mixed-habitat landscapes, collecting and interpreting data on the status of wildlife and threats in order to understand how wild nature works, how nature responds to human activities, and how best to protect the most vulnerable habitats and species.

As a volunteer or intern, you will get a unique opportunity to learn about the challenges that local people face and how they are pulling together to meet and overcome their environmental and economic problems. If you venture to these foreign lands, you will come away with a new set of skills and experiences, valuable knowledge, fabulous memories, friendships and contacts that may last a lifetime, and a strong feeling of accomplishment having contributed to conserving tropical nature and bettering lives. We encourage you to explore the various different programs we offer below:

VARIOUS Conservation & Research Program Fee

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the program fee. This fee helps to cover the registration, enrolment, administration and processing costs. To find out what’s included in the program fees, scroll down for additional details.

To convert these prices to your currency click here. Fees may vary depending on the USD exchange rate.


OUR PROGRAM FEES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Registration Fee - (refundable if you cancel your program), ongoing support from VWB staff, program marketing costs, digital information package, administration costs, travel costs to develop additional programs as well as ongoing costs to sustain programs.

Program Fee - airport pick-up (from Padre Aldamiz or Puerto Maldonado International Airport only), orientation, program supervision, accommodation (private or dormitory style) and meals during volunteer program period, in-country 24/7 volunteer support and in country administration costs.

Additional Costs to the Volunteer - visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), immunizations / vaccinations, in-country trips or tours, transfer to other areas and spending money.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Our enrolment and registration process begin by applying online. Once you have filled out and submitted the online application form, you will receive a confirmation email. To continue on in our enrolment process, all volunteers will be required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the Program Fee. This fee helps to cover the administration and processing costs. Once we receive both the registration and program fee payment, we will send you a confirmation email with the program details and encourage you to book your flight at that time. Our team will be readily available to correspond with you and answer any questions you might have from the time you apply until you reach the project. If you have any further questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us at: info@vwbinternational.org.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VOLUNTEERS WITHOUT BORDERS AND WE CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!