About the ProjectBuilding the future together
School-age children living in remote parts of developing countries often come from families living on subsistence income. They live in extremely poor conditions and have limited access to health services and government educational supports.
Those from areas with the highest social vulnerability receive a much lower quality of education. Low literacy, poor academic performance, behavioural problems, and malnourishment are common. School dropout starts at an early age.
HAND UP FOR EDUCATION is a program that strives to remove barriers to quality education and improve social and academic outcomes of children living in underprivileged communities where DWC serves.
DWC’s initiative set students and teachers up for success so the best quality of education can be delivered. Projects tackle equipping schools with clean water, hygienic sanitation, and a safe, dedicated learning environment.
In Peru
- Persistent inequalities related to geographical location, cultural identity and gender remain major problems while poverty status and ethnicity are still important factors of poor education outcomes.
- Peru has a learning poverty rate of 56% – meaning that 56% of students at the age of ten cannot adequately read or understand simple text.
What to ExpectA Typical Workday in Peru
The barrios of Lima, Peru’s capital city, are a difficult place to grow up, especially when you have to walk long distances to get to school. DWC volunteers in Peru work with Peruvian partner IFEJANT to build schools that will help children improve their futures.
Education is one of the most important things that a child can have. DWC’s in-country partner, IFEJANT, recognizes this and strives to improve education opportunities along with human rights in and around Lima. IFEJANT is a non-profit organization that serves as a leader and supporter of an organized network of grassroots organizations serving women and working children.
DWC and IFEJANT have had a long relationship working together to build better options for the children of the barrios. Teams of volunteers in Peru have done what you’ll be doing on this trip: hauling concrete, building walls or other parts of schools and meeting the children who will study in the school when it’s done.
It's Not All Work
While you are in Peru become a Foodie. From the coast to the capital, from the highlands to the jungle, young chefs are creating some of the most exciting – and tasty – dishes on the planet. Lima is considered the culinary capital of Latin America. Foodies from around the world flock to experience fabulous cuisines.
Explore Machu Picchu, it is a wealth of interesting sights and one can literally spend hours wandering from marvel to marvel, getting lost in a city of wonders. In a spectacular location, it’s the most famous archaeological site on the continent, a must if you are in Peru.
Trip Details
Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:
Jim Little
Jim has always had a passion for travel and helping others. While completing his BA, he was offered a position with an international foundation based in California. He first aided in developing volunteer projects in Jordan supporting physically and mentally challenged children under the auspices of the Royal Family. This led to opportunities to further assist with volunteer projects in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Thailand. After moving back to Canada and venturing into various opportunities, Jim found himself building and operating his own very successful construction company. He retired early and began seeking new challenges. After participating on DWC projects in Nepal in 2014 and again in 2016, he volunteered to help DWC with evaluating, organizing and managing its growing number of projects in 2017. He hopes that his international development experience combined with his business acumen and construction experience will make him an asset to DWC, its host partners and family of volunteers.
Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Joy
Trip Coordinator