I always wanted to do voluntary work with children abroad – I am a primary school teacher - and I also saw projects in South America as an opportunity to practice my Spanish. After some research I found Globalteer’s Peru Community Project, set in the beautiful mountainous area of Oropesa near Cusco.
When I went to Peru, I had just finished my first year of teaching in a primary school so I had some experience working with children. Although I don't think it's an absolute necessity to have experience working with children beforehand. You just need to be fun, caring and warm hearted!
In my 3 months at the project there were so many highlights - seeing the children’s smiling, enthusiastic faces welcoming me into their classes and games; accompanying the children on a bus trip (very excitedly as it was the first time in the city for many of them) to a Cusco gallery displaying their amazing photography; watching the children perform traditional Peruvian dances to family members and local villagers; playing countless games such as volleyball, ten pin bowling with plastic bottles, pushing on the swings in the play park and twister, to name but a few, with their never ending energy! Having fun and getting messy in art classes; visiting a local family home and being invited to have a drink of Inca Kola with them and see the new “cleaner burning” clay oven Globalteer had fitted into their kitchen.
I would definitely recommend choosing Globalteer to anyone who is looking to volunteer abroad. I have so many incredible memories from my 3 months there that I will cherish forever. Not only was my time at Picaflor House amazing but the hostel was clean, safe and welcoming in the perfect location of Cusco which was beautiful, lively and full of kind, friendly people. I fell in love with the relaxed and beautiful Peruvian culture and would love to return one day.
It's great to feel appreciated
I really enjoyed working alongside the Globalteer and local project staff. It was clear that they really appreciated the help and support of the volunteers and always ensured that I was happy and getting the experience I had gone there for. I also met lots of other volunteers from various parts of the world in my time there and made some friends for life that I reunited with just a month after returning home.
I recently recommended Globalteer to a friend who was interested in volunteering and she has now signed up to one of their projects in Cambodia! To anyone who is considering volunteering with Globalteer, don't hesitate and pass up this opportunity of a lifetime...do it!