REACH OUT VOLUNTEERS PERU PROGRAM BOOK

Transcription

1 REACH OUT VOLUNTEERS PERU PROGRAM BOOK

2 Reach Out Volunteers Everything+you+need+to+know+about+the+ Reach+Out+Volunteer+Peru+Program

3 Reasons for Volunteering CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? 1. 55% of rural Peruvians live in poverty 2. 78% of indigenous children (who make up 45% of the population) live in poverty, with limited access to basic amenities and education 3. A third of all rural children suffer chronic malnutrition. 4. almost 20% of people do not speak Spanish, and therefore cannot access education, which is in Spanish. The answer is always yes, you can make a difference. Every person has the ability to make a difference and everybody should try. Between volunteers with Reach Out Volunteers have been able to build 3 creches for over 200 children, with classrooms, play equipment, running water, toilets and sustainable vegetable gardens. Every child that receives an education from volunteers, medication from programs and access to water and food, is a step in the right direction. 2

4 WHERE IN PERU WILL I BE? During the first week, volunteers are based in Cusco, the oldest continually inhabited city in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Situated in the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountains, it is 3,400 metres above sea level. You will stay in Barrio de San Blas, a picturesque area of artisans, workshops and craft shops. Its streets are steep and narrow with old houses built by the Spanish over Inca foundations, including a parish church built in Volunteers also visit the Manú National park, a rainforest biosphere reserve with one of highest levels of diversity of any park in the world. You will also visit the incredible lost city of Machu Picchu, which UNESCO describe as "an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization. 3

5 What will I be doing? Week 1 After spending a day in Cusco seeing the sights, you ll be setting off for the Sacred Valley of the Incas! You ll stop in the beautiful Andean town of Chinchero, overlooking the Sacred Valley. You ll be visiting indigenous families and learning about Inca textiles as well as taking a cooking class, before continuing on to Urubamba beginning work on the project. You will stay in the small town of, beside a river by the beautiful snow-capped mountain Ch'iqun, an hour from Cusco. You will travel further to a village school where you will be work. This is an area where indigenous Quecha is still spoken. The village is very remote and not often visited by tourists. People in these indigenous communities do not have the same opportunities as elsewhere in 4

6 Week 2 Inca Trek & Machu Picchu: This trek is an wonderful journey that manages to combine stunning mountain scenery, lush cloud forest, subtropical jungle and Inca paving stones and ruins. Part of the Amazon, the Manu rainforest, with its 15,000 species of plants, 1,000 species of birds and 200 mammal species is one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. In fact around a tenth of all the world s species of plants can be found in this one park! After this amazing journey, by bicycle and on foot, you will reach one of the most famous destinations in the world: Machu Picchu, the mysterious Lost City of the Incas, now a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. 5

7 ACTIVITIES: As well as the incredible jungle trek and visit to Machu Picchu, during your stay in the Andes you will become immersed in the local culture, and will learn to cook Peruvian traditional dishes as well as salsa dancing. You will also be tutored in Spanish, and will have the opportunity to wander the historic lanes and markets of Cusco learning your way around the town and practicing! There is a lot to see during your stay in Cusco, including the vibrant San Pedro Market, the ancient Inca city walls around Plaza de Armas, the nearby Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), and a number of museums, such as the Museo del Sitio del Qoricancha and Museo del Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco. 6

8 Meet your group Peru, and must access education in Spanish, which is not their native language. You will help rebuild the school, renovate and improve the conditions, including providing playground equipment and engaging in classroom maintenance. Are you excited about your upcoming program? Did you know that Reach Out Volunteers creates Facebook groups for every program that volunteers can choose. That way you can get to know who is in your group several months before leaving! How to meet other volunteers: 1. Like Reach Out Volunteers Facebook page. reachoutvolunteers 2. Add ROV Adm as a friend. 7

9 3. or private message us via Facebook with you full name and program that you re joining us on. We will then add you to the private Facebook group. 8

10 PAST EXPERIENCES & BLOGS To see exactly how a Peru program operates, you can visit past program blogs. The blogs are updated daily while you re in Peru so that your friends and family can see what you re up to. To view the blogs, visit: Alternatively visit the Reach Out Volunteer website: and choose the Peru Program. In the top right hand corner you will see a Live from Peru tab that will take you to the program blog. Below is what just a handful of past volunteers said about their Peru experience with Reach Out Volunteers: It was a wonderful experience and I loved the different things we were able to do and accomplish. Keira the children were extremely sweet and happy to see us... Im just glad I could have been a part of this experience and at least in part responsible for the happiness of these incredibly cute kids. Philip I enjoyed the great people I met, the scenery, and the smiles on the kids faces. Deighna The jungle trek was amazing. Every aspect of the trek was fun, the zip lining and biking were my persona favourites. Olivia 9

11 It was the best trip I ever went on and I was sad to leave. I would tell people they can have the time of their life while helping a community that needs it. Patty Manu Jungle was a once in a lifetime experience... also the bustling community of Cusco and the attractions Momoe Words cannot even describe the things we experienced on this program. For many of us, it was the adventure of a lifetime. It is something that few get the chance to experience. From the heartbreaking smiles on the children's faces to the unforgettable bonds made among our team members, it is just incredible. Becoming a part of Reach Out Volunteers not only changed the lives of those we helped, but it changed each one of ours in some way or another. It is an opportunity that just keeps giving. Craig I would tell a friend not to be scared about traveling to a foreign country alone, that traveling with ROV is worth every cent because the feeling of helping is priceless. Diego 10

12 HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY Despite the challenges its people face, Peru is a country with a rich history and a vibrant social and ethnic mix.

13 THE PEOPLE AND LOCATION Peru is a country of amazing cultural, geographic and demographic diversity. Peru extends from the dry and arid plains of the Pacific coast to the snow capped Andes in the east. In between are high, dry deserts, lush tropical forests in the Amazon Basin, alpine pine forests, glaciers, as well as warm hospitality and delicious cuisine. The country also has an ancient indigenous culture. A large proportion of the population in the Andean highlands still speak Quechua or Aymara, and follow vibrant cultural traditions dating back to the Inca Empire. They are also heirs to what has been called the most advanced agricultural civilization in the world. Over thousands of years indigenous Peruvians developed many crops such as the protein-rich 'superfood' quinoa, and used selective breeding to develop small wild tubers into the potato we now take for granted. In fact the introduction of potatoes into Europe from Peru is believed to have led to a 65% of the increase in Western Europe s population after 1700! You might not be here today if Peruvians hadn t been so good at developing crops. Peru s population includes indigenous people, people of mixed heritage, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. Most people speak Spanish as their first language, although around 150 indigenous languages continue to be spoken. Quecha is the most prevalent, spoken by 4 million Peruvians and as many others in neighbouring countries. Despite a booming economy, almost all the wealth is in the hands of the European and mixed European population, while the indigenous people who still make up almost half of the population continue to live in poverty. 12

14 You ll have the chance to learn Spanish on your program, but here are few words of Quecha as well, to get you started! hello!! rimaykullayki how are you?!! allillanchu? I m good!! allillanmi thanks!! solpayki what s your name?!! ima sutiiki? my name is...!!... sutiymi see you later!! tupananchicama 13

15 WEATHER, FLIGHTS, INSURANCE, VISAS Weather The weather in Cusco and surrounding areas is generally sunny and dry. Mornings and evenings can be chilly. Flights We will be collecting you on the day the program commences, and dropping you off at the airport on the final day. Insurance Although our programs are safe, take the stress out of your trip by making sure you are fully covered for any unexpected health or travel problems that might arise, including cover for an emergency flight back to your home country. Visas Citizens of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US do not need visas. If you are not a citizen of these countries please check the website of your nearest Peruvian embassy. 14

16 WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING ON THE PROGRAM? We ll be sending you a Get Ready list with details about everything you will need to do and pack to get ready for your program, including a timeline of important dates. You are also welcome to bring any toys, children s clothes and shoes you can to give to people in the villages. Anything you can spare and fit into your luggage will be gratefully received! 15

17 FUNDRAISING! It is because of volunteers like you, we can provide employment to local tradespeople, medication to children, materials for building projects, donations for anti-poaching committees, and money for local infrastructure, like accommodation providers, activities, transport. Every cent helps the local people. We need your help to make a difference. Many volunteers fundraise every cent of their Reach Out Volunteer program. That means not one cent has come out of their pocket. We send a fundraising kit link once you submit a deposit. We also recommend using a crowdfunding site like Go Fund Me. Be sure to embed Reach Out videos and links to our website to give people an idea of what they re contributing to! As you can see on the image at the right, Valerie has raised $2,970 and still has months to go until her program starts! People will want to help you and get behind you, all you have to do is put yourself out there! 16

18 Will I be safe? EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR PROGRAM HAS SAFETY AS ITS HIGHEST PRIORITY. 1. We organise your program from start to finish. 2. If you arrive at the airport on the first day of program, a Reach Out representative will meet you. 3. The Reach Out Volunteer Team Leader will be with you for the entire duration of the program, and available 24/7 to help in any given situation. 4. You will stay in a shared, same sex room (when available), in clean, hygienic and safe accommodation. 5. Our staff will prepare your food and you will have constant access to safe drinking water. 6. All Reach Out Volunteers Program Leaders are first aid qualified. There are a number of hospitals in Cusco that cater for western tourists. The guides that will take us through Manu jungle are extremely knowledgable and experienced in first aid and how to navigate the jungle. 7. If you choose an extension, Reach Out Volunteers will provide ground transport to the next program location, where you will be met by a Reach Out Volunteer Team Leader. 17

19 QUESTIONS? -FAQ S can you wear singlets (tank tops) shorts, bikinis? It s too cold! can we bring toys, sweets / candies and other small gifts? Yes! do we need bedding? No! do we need vaccinations? Ask your doctor do we need to arrange transport for departing flights? No! can I bring a suitcase? We recommend a backpack do I need insurance? Yes! what things / clothing should I bring with me to donate in the village? Children s clothes and shoes are always welcome. Isn t Peru is dangerous? We stay in small towns and rural areas, and look after volunteers throughout their stay. Will I be met at the airport? We will collect you on the day you arrive, and drop you off at the airport on the day of departure. will I have electricity / adaptors? Not all the time, but often enough to charge your cameras, phones and ipods. Will there be big insects / dangerous animals? There are insects, but if you use repellent they shouldn t be a problem. 18

20 HOW TO JOIN REACH OUT VOLUNTEERS If you haven t already applied for the program, you can do so through our website: If you you already have you will need to pay the deposit to confirm your place: 19