Placements
Your placement will be influenced by your skills, preferences and project availability. Projects are very flexible so it’s all about using your skills and initiative where you can.
In Peru volunteers work at the Flores de Villa community based project located on the outskirts of Lima. This is an ongoing series of joint initiatives which involve the local people and help the community help itself. Below are examples of projects you can help out with.
| Education |
Childcare |
Working as a teachers assistant in a pre-school, Primary or Secondary school helping to teach English and other subjects. Also help to organising activities from arts and crafts, to music, dance and sports lessons |
Working in schools, orphanage or day-centre. Helping with basic education, supervising play and meal times |
| Health Centre |
Construction |
| Help out in the day to day running of the community health clinic. Educate the local people on diet and general health awareness
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If you fancy a spot of labouring try your hand at manual work. This could involve painting, building or general maintenance |
Orientation
To help you settle into Peruvian life you will receive a 3 day introduction to the country. This will cover:
- Education sessions on culture and customs
- City tour of Lima
- Excursions to local places of interest
The orientation is an ideal opportunity to get to know other volunteers
The transfer from the arrival airport and backpacker-style accommodation for the duration of the orientation are included in the programme cost.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included as part of the programme. Living within easy reach of the Flores de Villa project you will be able to experience the following:
- Live with a host family
- Become involved in daily family life
- Enjoy local food (provided by your host family)
- Interact with the local community.
Your arrival orientation, placement and local support services are provided by INTEJ; BUNAC's partner in Peru.
Costs
The programme cost includes:
- Full pre-departure advice and support
- Three day arrival orientation in Lima (including tours and accommodation)
- Accommodation and placement costs for the duration of programme (including meals)
- Full support from our local partner organisation (INTEJ) for the duration of your
stay.
- Programme, administration and literature and Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook.
Cost table
Programme Costs
| 8 weeks |
£749 |
| 12 weeks |
£949 |
Additional Costs
| BUNAC membership |
£5 |
| Insurance |
£116 (3 months) |
| Flights |
£700 - £900 (approx.) |
| Spending/travel money |
£240 per month |
Eligibility
To apply to Volunteer Peru you must be:
- A UK resident (any nationality)
- Aged at least 18
- Conversant in Spanish, preferrably educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
Flights
BUNAC will arrange your group flight to coincide with your arrival orientation. There are usually between one and ten participants on our flights. Flexible homeward tickets will allow date changes whilst away (subject to airline availability and an administration fee). Our departure schedule is updated on a regular basis; however if the dates below do not suit your itinterary please contact BUNAC to discuss your plans in more detail.
If you would prefer to arrange your travel independently you may do so. You must arrive in Lima for the start of the orientation.
BUNAC flight dates
| Departure Date |
Closing Date |
| 11th September 2008 |
3rd July 2008 |
| 9th October 2008 |
31st July 2008 |
| 13th November 2008 |
4th September 2008 |
This programme operates year-round with monthly departures. Dates for 2009 will be confirmed during summer 2008. Please check back later in the year for specific details.
Insurance
BUNAC will arrange insurance for participants. It is a fully comprehensive policy that has been arranged with Endsleigh, one of the UK’s leading insurance companies. Full details will be sent following acceptance on to the programme. Currently a
three month policy costs from £116.
Fundraising
Raising extra funds for your trip needn’t be difficult as there are loads of things you can do to raise money. For further information go to www.bunac.org/fundraising for some ideas to get you started.
Application process
To apply to Volunteer Peru, please follow these simple steps:
- Written application: Download the application form and send your
completed form to BUNAC with the following:
- Programme cost: Please include a deposit of £405 (includes £5 BUNAC membership fee);
the balance will be due eight weeks before the departure date. If you are submitting your application within 12 weeks of the departure date, you must send the full programme
cost straight away with your initial application
- Your current CV
- Copy of your passport and birth certificate
- Four passport photos.
- Closing dates:Applications must be made to BUNAC no less than ten
weeks before the intended date of departure from the UK.
- Interview: Before you are accepted on to the programme, you will need to attend an interview in BUNAC's London office during which we will discuss all aspects of the programme to ensure that you are fully prepared. This is also
an opportunity for you to ask us any further questions.
- Acceptance: Following a satisfactory interview and receipt of two references, BUNAC will formally accept you onto the programme and provide you with details of the next stage of the application process.
- Police check: As part of your application you will need to be cleared by the Criminal Record's Bureau. We will assist you in applying for this.
- Medical: All participants are required to visit their GP to discuss their trip. BUNAC will provide a specific medical form which must be completed by the participant and the doctor prior to travel.
- Pre-departure: Your visa, flights, insurance, accommodation and placement will be arranged by BUNAC and detailed to you in the lead up to your departure
Terms and conditions
Full terms and conditions for the programme are included with the application form.
About Peru
Peru is a fascinating country of natural diversity and culture. With the amazing landscapes of the Andes, jungles and Pacific coastline to ancient civilizations and lost cities, Peru has enough to satisfy all travellers taste buds.
It’s the multiple layers of great civilisations which make Peru so intriguing. You can wander around colonial cities which have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquistadors, visit the ancient Incan capital Cuzco, explore the lost city of Machu Picchu and ponder the enigma of the Nazca Lines.
It also has some of the most spectacular and varied scerery in South America. The Peruvian Andes are arguably the lost beautiful on the continent and the mountains are home to millions of highland Indians who speak the ancient tonge of Quechua and maintain a traditional way of life.
And then there’s the natural world. The verdant Amazon Basin, which occupies half of Peru, is one of the worlds top ten biodiversity ‘hot spots’ – a species-rich area of tropical rain forest that will make your head spin when you start to learn about its ecology. And the costal deserts, with their huge rolling dunes, farmland oases and fishing villages, are under-appreciated by travellers but offer the opportunity to get off the Gringo Trail in a big way.
(Copyright Lonely Planet World Guide 2004)
Country highlights
- Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
- Cuzco
- Lake Titicaca
- Nazca lines
- Pacific beaches
- Amazon Basin
- Anders mountain range
FAQs
| Can I book my own flights? |
If you do not wish to take one of BUNAC’s group flight departures then you can arrange your own travel. We must see proof of outbound and inbound travel before your departure. You must make sure you arrive in Peru in time for the arrival orientation programme that you undertake with other volunteers.
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| Do I need to apply for a visa? |
No, you will travel on a tourist visa, which will be issued at immigration on arrival. You will be given 90 days which can be extended whilst in Peru. Our partners INTEJ will be able to assist you with this.
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| How many people take part in the programme?
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Numbers vary however the maximum number on each flight is approximately ten, the minimum could be two or three.
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| Do I have to go to the orientation?
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The orientation is covered in the programme cost and is vital that all participants
attend. The orientation is an integral part of your trip. Our local host introduce you to the country and culture and answer any questions you may have. It is also good way for you to meet other volunteers from both the UK and abroad.
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| Can I choose my placement?
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Due to the nature of the local projects we work with, unfortunately we cannot guarantee set placements for participants. However, we try to match your skills and preferences as closely as possible to a suitable placement and encourage volunteers to be as flexible as possible, open to new experiences and prepared to lend a hand where necessary.
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| Will I be placed with other volunteers?
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It is possible that you may share accommodation or be working at the same project as another volunteer but we cannot guarantee this as it is based on individual placement preferences and availability. Ultimately BUNAC's volunteer programmes offer a lot of support, but they are intended to be independent experiences where the individual can gain a considerable amount.
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| Can I go for less than the required programme minimum?
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Volunteer Peru runs for either two or three months. We believe that a volunteer would not be able to accomplish much or feel satisfied with their participation on a project if they were there for a period shorter than the required minimum.
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| Why do I need an interview?
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We ask all applicants to attend an interview in our London office. It is not a formal interview, but a chance for us to get to know more about you and reasons for volunteering. We can discuss the types projects you are interested in and in turn give you more information about Peru. It is also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions
you might have. If you would like to apply and cannot travel to London for an interview,
please call us on 020 7251 3472 to discuss your situation.
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| Will there be chance to travel during my stay?
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During your placement you will generally have weekends free to travel. We encourage volunteers to take time out at the end of their placement to see more of the country. It is quite common for volunteers to travel together. Your visa can be extended for up to 180 days when in Peru.
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| What medical advice does BUNAC offer?
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We provide a medical leaflet for Peru with recommended injections for you to have. We advise you to visit your GP as soon as possible for the most up to date requirements and Malaria advice. Each participant must complete our medical form about their health history and have a medical examination to deem you fit and well to travel. This is at the participant's own expense.
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| What level of Spanish do I need?
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We generally say a GCSE level or equivalent. As part of the application we would ask that you write a letter in Spanish to your host family and this will generally give you a good indication of your Spanish knowledge. We certainly don't expect participants to be fluent before they leave but it is important that you have a certain level of knowledge to build upon as you may often find yourself in situations where no one will be able to speak English.
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If you have any further questions on Volunteer Peru, please call us on 020 7251 3472 or e-mail: enquiries@bunac.org.uk