Self-Direct and Connect

Year Round
2 Week Program Minimum

Looking for a flexible program that allows you to choose your budget, location and schedule? Peru 109 has created a Program that runs year-round for volunteers aged 18 and up who are interested in a low-cost option that supports their creativity and desire for cultural immersion.

This option is ideal for YOU if you are looking to:

  • Use the Spanish that you already know to communicate on a daily basis with your host family and surrounding community
  • Arrive independently to the host city of your choice (local staff will meet you at the corresponding bus terminal/airport in Cusco, Trujillo or Chimbote)
  • Work directly with a Peruvian non-profit org, school, orphanage, shelter, or hospital
  • Create your own daily/weekly schedule
  • Explore your own options during your free time


Sound like the type of challenge you are seeking? Now, find out which community project will be your best match.

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Step 1: Choose your arrival date

Peru 109 offers arrival dates most Saturdays of the year. This allows you the weekend to get settled in to your host home before starting your community project that will being on the weekdays. Don’t worry about finding your way to your new “home” for the first time – our local Peru 109 staff person will meet you at the bus terminal/airport in your host city (NOT IN LIMA) and introduce you to your new place on the Saturday on which you arrive.

The dates below are the dates of your arrival to your host city, so make sure that when you choose your travel date, you keep in mind the necessary travel time leading up to your arrival. We recommend to book your flight to Lima for the day before the dates listed bellow. Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima- Peru, is the only International Airport in the country.

 
         
  October 2009
· Saturday 17
· Saturday 31

November 2009
· Saturday 7
· Saturday 21

 December 2009
· Saturday 5
· Saturday 19
· SUNDAY 27 (*)

 January 2010
· SUNDAY 3 (**)
· Saturday 9
· Saturday 16
· Saturday 23

 February 2010
· Saturday 6
· Saturday 13
· Saturday 20

 March 2010
· Saturday 6
· Saturday 20

 April 2010
· Saturday 3
· Saturday 17

 		  May 2010
· Saturday 1
· Saturday 8
· Saturday 15
· Saturday 22
· Saturday 29

June 2010
· Saturday 5
· Saturday 12
· Saturday 19
· Saturday 26

July 2010
· Saturday 3
· Saturday 10
· Saturday 17
· Saturday 24
· Saturday 31

 August 2010
· Saturday 7
· Saturday 14
· Saturday 21

September 2010
· Saturday 4
· Saturday 18

 October 2010
· Saturday 2
· Saturday 16

 		 

         
         
         
         


Step 2: Choose your host city

We provide three options for host cities: Trujillo, Chimbote, and Cusco. Each of these cities is distinct in its geography, climate, community, history, and landscape.

In terms of travel from Lima, you can reach Trujillo or Cusco by flight. All three cities are also accessible by bus, the most economical (and interesting!) way to travel.

 
         
   
   
 
 
 


Step 3: Choose your community project

Below are specific volunteer needs that the host communities currently have. We try to keep this list as updated as possible, but of course, every community’s needs are constantly changing. So, if there is something that you are interested in that is not listed below, please let us know!

While there may be several projects to which you would like to contribute, we ask that you choose one primary project. Then, we encourage you to participate in other projects as your schedule allows.

 


















         
         
         
         

 
 
Community Projects Available
  
         
  IN CHIMBOTE:

  • Teach ESL with children or adults
  • Afterschool sports program creation/organization
  • School psychologist support
  • Teach Music, vocal or instrumental
  • Library creation/organization
  • Large-scale mural design and painting
  • Computer instruction
  
         
  IN TRUJILLO:

  • Gardening
  • Building maintenance
  • Small group and individual academic tutoring
  • Preschool classroom assistance
  • Special education support
  • Physical education instruction for girls
  • Teach Music, vocal or instrumental
  • Library creation/organization

  
         
  IN CUSCO:

  • Preschool classroom assistance
  • Community outreach for domestic violence shelter
  • Small business support for disabled citizens
  • Site maintenance and painting
  • Therapeutic children’s services for survivors of domestic violence
  • Creation/instruction of skills training course for women survivors of domestic violence
  • ESL instruction
  • Nursing Volunteers
    • ***NEW***
  • Healthcare - Medical students
    • ***NEW***

 



Step 4: Apply online | Application Form |

After you fill and send your application form online, you'll get confirmation of acceptance (within 48 hours). NEXT, you’ll reserve your spot, by mailing a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $95 (USD) to:

PERU 109
233 NORTH St, #3
BURLINGTON, VT 05401
USA

*Registration fees can be in the form of check or money order addressed to “Peru 109”.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The registration fee covers up to 2 people. The second person (partner, relative, friend) only need to register online, but they will not need to pay the registration fee again . Similarly, if you are able to volunteer with Peru 109 as an Independent Traveler more than once, the registration fee is waived for your next trips.

F.A.Q: WHY DO I PAY FOR REGISTRATION FEE? Peru 109 depends on this small fee to keep the organization running. There are several costs like Director's travel expenses to supervise the programs in our 3 host cities, economical support for volunteer placements and individuals, as well as advertising, server hosting, bank wire transfer, Fedex delivery, phone calls. We can't do any of this without this registration fee. Since the Program Cost (bellow) is enterely to cover the local staff stipend and your room and board while in Peru.

 
 

















   
     
 
Program Costs
  
         
 

These program costs are payable to the local Peru 109 staff person upon arrival in your host city. At any time, you may add time to your stay with us.

 
         
  COSTS IN US DOLLARS:
· 2 week stay: $250
· Additional week: $100

  
         
 

COST INCLUDES:

  • Private bedroom in host home or Peru 109 house (only in Cusco)
  • Three meals a day, seven days a week for the duration of your program (meals on weekends and dinner on weekdays are not included for those staying at the Peru 109 house in Cusco)
  • Pick up and drop off to/from host city bus terminal/airport upon arrival/departure
  • Local Peru 109 staff on call 24 hours a day in case of emergency for the duration of your stay

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