Hey there,

Looking to head to Peru in August 09 to do 3 to 6 months of volunteer work with kids. I've been looking around but it is really tough to find NGO's that are strong grass roots organizations. I really want to do this to help out and gain a bit of perspective so really interested in some worthy causes. Any ideas? would love to hear from anyone who has done the same or has some insider info!

Cheers, Peggy

I have never done it, but last year I found this page with multiple links of organizations working in South America. I don't know how credible they are though.

http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net/

Hi,

As part of my University course I went away in my third year to Peru, where I could learn some Spanish at the same time as having an awesome experience. I taught English out there for 4 months and had the time of my life. I went with the company Projects Abroad, and I couldn't fault them. I was well looked after, the projects well organised and the homestays were brilliant too. I'm still in touch with the family I stayed with out there, and I hope to go back and visit them. My Spanish improved no end as I spent every mealtime chatting to my host parents and getting to know them. They have loads of different projects as well as teaching, such as care and community, medical, environment and loads more. I'd really recommend them and theyre a really reputable company. If you visit their website they have loads of info about the different projects and where the money goes.
Hope this helps,

Laura

also check out the resources and messageboards on www.idealist.org for more ideas and feedback. Hope you find something great, and then can come and report back on it.

eileen

my expat blog: http://www.bearshapedsphere.blogspot.com

A really good source of volunteering opportunities is http://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com

I used them myself and they set me up with a great project.

I'm an American who originally came to Peru as a volunteer with the Peruvian NGO Nexos Voluntarios ( http://www.nexosvoluntarios.org ). They are well known and respected in Peru and in Latin America. I loved working with them so much I've actually stayed in Peru to work with them. They have some great projects with kids that are really meaningful, like teaching kids in hospitals. We also are starting a new project with education. We are going to assess some schools in a poor rural town called Urubamba. This might be a project you are interested in. Check out this website http://www.givemeaning.com/project/ucep . I hope that helps!!

And feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I've been living in Peru for over 2 years and I love to help, even if its in unrelated things like "how to take public transportation in Peru."