Maria is a teacher from Ireland who volunteered for two weeks at the Peru Community Project in July 2015.
Why Globalteer
I wanted to volunteer abroad for a long time and researched loads of different projects. Globalteer stood out amongst the rest as it looked and sounded like an interesting, safe, well-run and best of all, fun project.
Volunteering with the children
My experience was even more than I could have hoped for! I worked for two weeks in the afterschool programme as a ‘happy helper’ supporting the local teachers. If you love children, you’ll love this project. My time at the project included sitting on the floor playing Lego with the infant children, reading English stories to non-English speaking children (which was particularly interesting with lots of hand signs and actions needed, but they loved it), building a ‘Rio Grande’ in the sandpit, playing volleyball or soccer, making art and craft headbands, or playing in the sandpit again (they really love it)! Two weeks just wasn’t enough time with these amazing children.
There was so much I loved about the project. The children seem so happy and positive and really have so much fun with what little they have. They appreciate the little things and this is something I’ve brought home with me and hope to instil in the children in my class.
It was great to see the teachers are promoting a healthy eating policy by giving the children a piece of fruit and every day.
A special and rewarding experience
The office staff and teachers are a dedicated, eager and enthusiastic bunch of people who really are doing amazing and inspirational work. I was supported by the Globalteer and project staff from the second I arrived in Cusco to the very last day. Whether it was greeting me at the airport, showing me around the city, or answering every single question I had (no matter how big or small), they were there for me.
Volunteering here was an amazing and rewarding experience that I’d highly recommend to anyone. Just do it. You can’t help but fall in love with the place and the people, and you’re guaranteed to leave with some of your greatest memories.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh.