- Official Language(s)
- Spanish, Aymara, Quechua
- Population
- 30.1 million
- % of Population Below Poverty
- 25.8% (7.8 million people)
- GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$) (?)
- 11,100 (Canada = $43,100)
- UN's Human Development Index (?)
Why volunteer in Peru?
Poverty in Peru has its roots in high rates of illiteracy, a lack of essential services and inadequate agricultural resources and training. Many children leave school early to help support their families. Volunteer participants on their trip to Peru work hands-on painting walls, installing windows and doors and building fences to improve and expand educational centres for working children. These educational centres provide meals and teach students important life skills that will enable them and their families to improve their livelihoods. Our in-country partner, IFEJANT, is a well-established, local non-profit agency working for the rights of women and children while providing education and support to working children.
Volunteer projects
Our volunteers have worked on various building projects for the San Jose Obrero School on the outskirts of Lima. This district is populated by migrant families who have moved from different parts of the country to find work, leaving their children in the care of older siblings or other family members. Children have almost no access to public education, so the community has rallied to provide schooling opportunities. The number of families wanting to send their children to this school is rapidly increasing, and since present capacity is limited, more space will allow for more student enrolment.
See our volunteers in action!
Watch a video created by a DWC student participant who spent four weeks building classrooms in Lima, Peru:
When can I go?
Our High-school, Youth and University, Custom and Corporate Trips are not published on the website. Please contact us for more details on these trip types to Peru.
How much does it cost?
Trips may be cancelled if not enough people are registered so please sign up early to avoid disappointment. A $500 deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip; the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your trip.
We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Peruvian projects and programs through Developing World Connections.
Cultural activities
Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend participants take a breathtaking train ride through the Andes from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes and spend a few days at Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and the most recognized historical site of the ancient Incas. Enjoy the shopping and history of Cuzco and the Pisac Valley. If you haven’t already, spend a couple of days in Lima, the City of Kings. Lima is one of the oldest, most important capitals of South America and today is a vast, sprawling city that offers a great blend of history, parks, outstanding restaurants and excellent nightlife.