Choosing a Project
We know that choosing a volunteer program can be a slightly daunting task. Sometimes there is too much information, sometimes there is hardly any, and deciding between different opportunities can be difficult. With that in mind, here are some things to bear in mind when looking for a placement that will suit you:
- What really interests you, and what can you contribute? Do have experience of taking care of young handicapped children or of working with animals? Can put your professional skills to use, or are you keen to do something completely different? You will get far more out of your time as a volunteer if you are working somewhere that enthuses you and where you are useful, rather than just making up the numbers.
- How much knowledge of Spanish will you need? Some organisations that work with children, for example, do not demand that volunteers speak good Spanish. However, think about how hard it will be to communicate with a Peruvian five-year-old if you can’t speak their language to at least some level. Whatever your choice of project, volunteering in Peru will be a much more rewarding experience if you have a grasp of the language.
- How much time do you have to volunteer? Think about what you will actually be able to achieve with a particular organisation in the time you have available. If you don’t have very long, consider whether you will actually be useful to them for that period, or whether your short stint might actually be disruptive to the organisation or the people they work with. If you are staying for longer, will the organisation have enough for you to do? Again, think about the consequences if you get bored and leave earlier than planned.
- What kind of hours do you want to work? Do you want to volunteer all day Monday to Friday, for half days or some other arrangement? Do your plans for your time in Cusco match up with what will be required of you as a volunteer?
- Can you talk to/ email a former volunteer before you start? This can sometimes be the best way to find out what volunteering with a particular organisation will be like. You can also look for travelers’ feedback on forums like the Lonely Planet’s Thorntree and travelerspoint.com.
- If an organisation charges fees, and particularly if they charge high fees, what are they for? In some cases this money is just enough to cover your accommodation and food (although find out if you can arrange this yourself if you prefer), but in other cases the amount that volunteers are asked to pay is much higher. Ask for a detailed breakdown of where your money is going.
- The excellent website www.volunteersouthamerica.net has a long list of free and low-cost volunteer programmes, as well as a lot more advice on choosing a placement.
- What really interests you, and what can you contribute? Do have experience of taking care of young handicapped children or of working with animals? Can put your professional skills to use, or are you keen to do something completely different? You will get far more out of your time as a volunteer if you are working somewhere that enthuses you and where you are useful, rather than just making up the numbers.
- How much knowledge of Spanish will you need? Some organisations that work with children, for example, do not demand that volunteers speak good Spanish. However, think about how hard it will be to communicate with a Peruvian five-year-old if you can’t speak their language to at least some level. Whatever your choice of project, volunteering in Peru will be a much more rewarding experience if you have a grasp of the language.
- How much time do you have to volunteer? Think about what you will actually be able to achieve with a particular organisation in the time you have available. If you don’t have very long, consider whether you will actually be useful to them for that period, or whether your short stint might actually be disruptive to the organisation or the people they work with. If you are staying for longer, will the organisation have enough for you to do? Again, think about the consequences if you get bored and leave earlier than planned.
- What kind of hours do you want to work? Do you want to volunteer all day Monday to Friday, for half days or some other arrangement? Do your plans for your time in Cusco match up with what will be required of you as a volunteer?
- Can you talk to/ email a former volunteer before you start? This can sometimes be the best way to find out what volunteering with a particular organisation will be like. You can also look for travelers’ feedback on forums like the Lonely Planet’s Thorntree and travelerspoint.com.
- If an organisation charges fees, and particularly if they charge high fees, what are they for? In some cases this money is just enough to cover your accommodation and food (although find out if you can arrange this yourself if you prefer), but in other cases the amount that volunteers are asked to pay is much higher. Ask for a detailed breakdown of where your money is going.
- The excellent website www.volunteersouthamerica.net has a long list of free and low-cost volunteer programmes, as well as a lot more advice on choosing a placement.
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