Volunteer with child development in Peru working as a teaching assistant at a rural kindergarten.
At these teaching assistant projects you will be working as a part of PRONOEI. PRONOEI is a Peruvian government sponsored preschool initiative in the poorest areas of Peru, where mothers from within the community receive teacher training to work with a group of 30 children between 3 to 5 years old. These community mothers, also called promotoras, have a huge challenge to keep their classes running, receiving very little support from the Peruvian state. They are nonetheless doing a formidable job, but that’s why receiving volunteers to assist in the classroom can be such a huge help.
The Children are very loving and affectionate to volunteers
Adriana de las Cuevas with the children in Peru
The children live very difficult family circunstances and you have to be ready to see and hear some heartbreaking experiences. Nonetheless they are very loving and affectionate to volunteers so you instantaneously feel welcomed. Then is up to you how you want to make an impact. – Adriana de las Cuevas, Spain
You will be assisting them with classroom activities and playing with the children. The facilities in these PRONOEIs are facing limitations and often only can provide the most basic. Since they are often lacking adequate restrooms, large enough classrooms, playground areas and teaching materials, you will need to develop some creativity. But the children you are going to attend are so happy and thankful to be receiving an education that you will find the experience to be truly humbling. In your spare time you can explore the mysteries of this astounding place and get to know the real Peru.
Volunteer with Child Development in Arequipa, Cusco or Iquitos
You can choose between projects in Arequipa, Peru’s beautiful white-stone city shadowed by the famous El Misti Volcano; Cusco, the Inca capital and the archaeological capital of the Americas; and Iquitos, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon.
The volunteers in Iquitos will we working within an Amazonian ethnic group. Therefore, a 15 minutes boat ride from Iquitos city will take you there.
Volunteers must love children and have a positive and creative attitude to make the most of the limited resources available. You will gain valuable teaching experience, while helping to keep these educational projects going.
Projects in Peru start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Participants on our volunteer programs should arrive on Sundays. You may choose to volunteer from 1 to 12 weeks.
Airport Pickup at the volunteer location
Fees – What is included with the program
The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
All of the projects incur a registration fee of US$ 149.00 on top of the program fee*
What is included in the program fee?
Airport Pickup in the volunteer location
Orientation
Accommodation for all projects (shared rooms in home-stays or volunteer residence)
2 meals per day from Monday to Saturday (breakfast & dinner)
Support from local staff & Program supervision
In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
In-country administration costs
Donation to support the local project
There are no hidden costs. These programs are the most affordable to volunteer in Peru.
Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the lowest possible price. We are interested in making volunteering abroad more accessible so that more people can help do really important work.
Participants in our Peru programs normally find US$ 70 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country.
*Refundable up to 60 days before the program start date according to our Terms & Conditions
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers working with us in Peru are placed either into host families or at a volunteer residence depending on the project. Two meals a day are provided from Mondays through Saturdays (breakfast & dinner).
Requirements for volunteers in Peru
You must be at least 18 years old at the start of your placement. Exceptions can be made for under 18’s accompanied by a guardian or with a parental consent.
All volunteers must have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Language skills required
To enroll in our volunteer in Peru programs it is important that you have a grasp of the basics of the Spanish language; in order to be able to communicate with the local people, the other staff/ patients/ children. We offer a week of Spanish lessons on arrival, it is highly recommended that you take at least these 20 hours before you start with the volunteering. Once you speak enough Spanish to communicate with the people, you will start work in your program for at least one more week. If you already know Spanish, or would like to take more than one week of classes, that can be easily arranged with your program coordinator.
Loving and Affectionate Children at the Rural Kindergarten
I spent two weeks as a teaching assistant at a rural kindergarden. The experience was way different than I expected.
Adriana with the children
The children live very difficult family circunstances and you have to be ready to see and hear some heartbreaking experiences. Nonetheless they are very loving and affectionate to volunteers so you instantaneously feel welcomed. Then is up to you how you want to make an impact.
In my experience I came to the realisation that you cannot educate them in two weeks, and what these children really needed was love and support.
Iko Poran offer support at all times
I recommend Iko Poran for this type of program because they offer support at all times if any doubts or concerns arise.
I was able to contact the Peruvian based advisor by whatsapp at al times regrding my situation and even touristic doubts and the host family was always there for a chat if you are having trouble adjusting.
Adriana de las Cuevas, 20 years old, Santander, Spain, University of Leeds
