What happens when Valentine’s day is knocking on our door during your volunteering in Peru, and there is no ¨novia¨ or ¨novio¨?

Doing volunteer work in Latin America is about cultural immersion, about learning from the Latin-American culture and the Spanish speaking world. Therefore, a cultural event or a local tradition is always a great opportunity to get immersed in the culture and to talk to the locals. So is Valentine’s Day.

Most of our volunteers in the different Latin-American countries, know Valentine’s day as giving your loved one presents, varying from bonbons to flowers to teddy bears; all heart-shaped or in the shape of cupid. In reality, this part is not much different in Latin America or Peru.

Valentine’s Day in Peru

But there are some additional ways of showing your love, on the day of love and friendship, as Valentine´s Day is called in Latin-America. Peruvians, for example, do not limit the day of love only to one person, but instead, to everyone they love: boyfriends or girlfriends, friends, and relatives. On Valentine’s Day in Peru you see groups of friends going for dinner or to a party as not only ‘love’ but also ‘friendship’ is celebrated.

Friendship in Peru

Of course, “friendship” is a culture-bounded term. In one culture you might call someone ‘a friend’ if you have known for years and years; in other cultures, however, you might call a person a friend after you have him or her the same day. So, what does friendship mean in Peru?

Peruvians like to have a lot of friends, and they make new friends easily. Does this mean that Peruvian friendships are superficial? Not at all. Peruvians have deep relationships. Most Peruvians have a group of close friends that go above and beyond for each other. Close friendships in Peru normally include more than just two people: especially for women, it is important to become a part of your friend’s family. Once you are close friends, you can expect his or her family to invite you over many times, and be treated as one of their own. Close friends show loyalty, share important moments, enjoy life together and support each other in times of need.

How to make local friends in Peru

If you are doing Volunteer work in Peru, you might find yourself in a situation where a local might become your friend. As long as you are careful with people that have “different” intentions* feel free to embrace this new friendship. Don’t forget that if you are befriending a local, they will always appreciate it if you try to speak Spanish.

(*stay far away from the so-called ‘bricheros’ . These people are only looking for foreign friends to make them fall in love with them, with the only intention to get a foreign passport through marriage as they want to leave the country as soon as possible).

If a friendship is blossoming, you can expect to be invited over and over again. If you receive an invitation from a friend, be prepared that it might not just be you and your new friend. Most of the times, you will go in a group. Peruvians like to have a lot of friends, and also, to have them around. If you are invited to someone’s home, the friendship is getting real and deeper. Also, since young people often live at home until they are married, you will be introduced to the whole family and get closer.

Don’t talk about… illness, sex, and money

But some topics are off-limits! Generally spoken we can say that you better avoid talking about illnesses, sex, and money. Mostly when you confront a Peruvian with one of these topics, you can expect him or her to giggle it off awkwardly. Referring to money, you can better underestimate your earnings, out of respect to the other. And make sure that you don’t dress to formal when you join a friend for a few drinks. It is advised to dress casually, but on the smart side and still well dressed.

Final Note

Don’t forget that Peruvians are always late! However, you are expected to arrive ¨on time¨ which means something like ¨ not more than half an hour late¨. Also, keep in mind that Peruvians are not only late comers but also slow leavers, finishing a conversation can easily take up to an hour. So make sure to announce you’re leaving well ahead!

Enjoy Valentine’s Day in Peru!

Thanks to Renate Heida

Note:

Forrest, J. Porturas, J. (2006) Peru – culture smart! The essential guide to Customs and Culture – Great Britain: Kuperard

The post A guide to friendship in Peru! appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

4 Cultural Tips to Prepare Yourself for Volunteering in Peru

Communication between people in general, and maybe especially between people of diverse cultural backgrounds, comprises much more than simply verbal cues.

Hidden cultural differences in attitudes and behavior often cause a great deal of misunderstanding and friction. Understanding and embracing these differences could mean the difference between a wonderful and enlightening trip to Latin America, and a nightmare experience!

While there are many ways in which your culture and that of Peru may be similar, there will be several aspects that differ (and sometimes drastically!). As an expat and former volunteer in Peru, I have had to overcome these growing pains myself. Two years ago I came to this beautiful country to Volunteer in Peru and I experienced a culture far different from my own, yet in a way that was exciting, refreshing and maddening all at the same time.

Prepare for Volunteer Work in Latin America

In order to help you to prepare for your Volunteer Work in Latin America, I will talk about four ways that the Latin American culture (or, more specifically, the Peruvian culture ) differs from people from Europe and the United States. Prepare yourself for a great experience and check out our tips to best embrace the rich Latin American culture, especially here in the Land of the Incas!

1. Latin Americans Tend to Be More Welcoming

As a general rule for Latin America, the people here tend to be a bit more “acogedora”, or welcoming, to people that they just meet. During my first day in Lima, I was picked up from the airport, given a tour of the city and then taken to a great restaurant by my Airbnb host! While many people are oftentimes welcoming in my country, it is not often that someone will greet you with a kiss and then take you around town without knowing you. In fact, some of my close family still wouldn´t do this!

If you are just arriving as a volunteer, it can be somewhat uncomfortable if you are not used to this type of treatment from strangers. But it is nonetheless something that you will grow used to quickly and you will eventually appreciate.

2. Peru has a more collectivistic culture

Peruvians tend to live with, and embrace, more of their extended family, including grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. During my first trip to Cusco, I lived with a host family that had about twelve people living under one roof! I would wake up and eat breakfast with my host grandparents and then play with my host nieces and nephews after dinner. I found the home of my host family to be more vibrant and fun even though I had very little time to myself while at home after volunteering!

The extended family phenomenon could be due to the previous example of Peruvians being more welcoming (in this case to their own family!). But most likely this is more a circumstance of limited resources and gives the family the opportunity to save money and energy. Historically, it was also a way for the family to experience a greater sense of security and to better perpetuate positive values and desired behaviors. When I told my Peruvian friend that one of my grandparents used to live in a retirement home, her reaction was “how cruel!”

3. Peru embraces a more “polychronic” view of time

Easily one of the most difficult cultural obstacles to overcome for many foreigners, is the difference in the perspective of time here in Latin America. Many European cultures as well as those of the United States and Canada adhere to what is described as “monochronic” behavior where tasks are performed one at a time and in a relatively strict order.

On the other hand, “polychronic” cultures, like many found in Latin America including Peru, have a more flexible view of time and are more inclined to, and most likely are more adept at, multitasking as well as managing frequent interruptions with ease. Workplaces in Peru often focus a bit more on developing stronger personal bonds amongst employees. You might also notice this at your volunteer project in Peru.

One phrase routinely talked about in Peru amongst foreigner volunteers is what´s known as the “Peruvian hour”: la hora peruana. This somewhat uncomplimentary phrase means that if your friend tells you to come over to her place at 7 at night, that instead you should arrive half an hour later at 7:30.

Conversely, Peruvians have an idea of many foreigners as being “gente acartonada” which roughly translates to “stiff people”. While both sides seem to have their negative phrases about the other, it is important to keep in mind that there are two sides to every coin and that members of each culture can grow to love something about the other.

4. Peruvians will come across as more polite, and less direct!

While it may be easy to generalize many people from Latin America, there are certainly differences between the different regions and cultures of Latin America. For example, the “Andean highland culture of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador” is certainly different than the more outgoing culture from many Central-American countries.

Notably the Andean region of Peru, for instance, is known to be less direct. Peruvians pride themselves on being polite, and these extreme manners can be exhibited by the people almost to a fault.

As a Peruvian coworker put it: according to her, Peruvians will “rodear”, which means “go around”: they will ask questions or make statements that somehow allude to what they want to say without directly saying it. While this can be frustrating at first, you will eventually learn to infer what Peruvians are saying. And you will probably end up enjoying having to be more skillful in the way you interact with the people at our volunteer project or with your new friends in Peru.

Tips to deal with Culture Shock in Latin America

While it can be beneficial to know something about the Latin American culture before experiencing it (so, before traveling to Peru), “culture shock” is a phenomenon that is nearly impossible to avoid during an extended stay in Peru or any other Latin American country.

If you plan on volunteering in Peru, here are a few ways to cope with any negative feelings that may arise during your volunteering:

1. Understand that you are not the first or only person to experience some form of culture shock while in Peru, or anywhere else for that matter! It is normal to go through an adjustment period so you should take it with ease, and as always…
2. Have a sense of humor about some of the situations you´ll find yourself in! Being able to step back and laugh at your mistakes will make it much easier to cope with any stressful situations!
3. Do not get scared and become a hermit! Being sociable, getting involved and fighting through any difficulties is the best way to eventually learn and to embrace your surroundings.
4. Stay connected with family and friends back home! This will help provide you with some support and stability and will also give them an opportunity to appreciate your time abroad!

Happy Volunteering in Latin America!

The post 4 Cultural Tips to Prepare Yourself for Volunteering in Peru appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Many people underestimate the value of volunteering, but the reality is that there are numerous reasons why volunteering is a worthwhile and rewarding experience. And if you do your volunteer work in Latin America or in any other country of culture different than yours, this adds even more value to your experience! As Maria, one of our volunteers in Peru said: Be a Volunteer in Peru is the best thing that has ever happened to me! Here are her six reasons.

Valuable Experience for your Resume

Volunteering is the perfect way to get some valuable experience on your resume. Potential employers almost always prefer to hire someone who has previous experience, and volunteering is a great way to expand your skillset. In fact, many volunteers are able to work in settings that push them beyond their current qualifications, providing them with the unique opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and experience.

Practice your language skills

Volunteering in Latin America provides a real life environment where you can practice your Spanish language skills. Learning in the classroom is important, but interacting with native speakers in real life situations in any country of Latin America, will skyrocket your speaking ability. The classroom is a controlled setting, whereas talking with local people keeps you on your toes and will thus improve your conversation skills. Furthermore, hanging out with native speakers will give you the chance to learn colloquialisms and sayings that might not come up in a controlled environment. In addition, volunteering with children specifically is the perfect situation to practice conversation because they aren´t judgmental and are happy to chat the day away with a foreigner! There are also great opportunities to combine volunteering with Studying Spanish in Latin America.

Hone specific work skills

Volunteering in South America creates the opportunity to hone specific skills that you might not have the chance to develop in your home country. For example, many volunteers are needed in hospital-like settings and in classrooms in different countries of Latin America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica). No matter their experience level, volunteers are expected to help out in whatever way possible, whether that´s examining a patient or teaching an English class. These hands on opportunities are most likely not as common in your home country, so volunteering is a great way to experience these work situations and develop your skills.

Intrinsic Motivation

Although the above reasons to volunteer are valid and important for personal development, the most obvious reason to volunteer should be because you are self-motivated. In most western countries, the materials, education, health care, and general opportunities are light years ahead of developing countries. Therefore, volunteers have the chance to make a big impact on the children and adults that they interact with while volunteering. All personal goals aside, the opportunity to help people in need is a sufficient reason to participate in a volunteer program. Not only will you be helping people in need, but you will be able to develop personal relationships with these people and truly get to know those who you are serving.

Cultural exchange

Volunteering in Latin America brings the unique opportunity to exchange culture and experience the amazing Latin American culture in either Central or South America. Not only will you learn from the people you choose to serve, but they will also learn from you. This exchange of knowledge, ideas, and traditions provides a unique and unforgettable experience that will broaden your horizons. It will cause you to ask questions that you might not have asked before, and it will put you in situations that will remind you of the importance of being thankful for what you have. Especially for people who have grown up in developed countries, volunteering in a severely different environment is a priceless experience.

The post Why volunteering is the Best Thing that Happened to Me appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Here are 6 reasons why you want to register for a Volunteer experience in Ecuador:

1. Ecuador is a beautiful country, so volunteering here will allow you to explore its gorgeous landscape and rich history. There are countless activities to do depending on what your interests are!

1. Volunteering will give you a new perspective on your life. Although Ecuador is pretty developed in some parts, the way of life is quite different. Seeing the reality of many of the volunteer projects will make you more grateful for how fortunate you are. Furthermore, you will experience a different culture and different customs, which always make you grow in ways you can never imagine.

3. You will have the opportunity to visit Ecuador’s capital, Quito. Quito is a very unique city because it is divided into ‘’Old Town” and “New Town”, so it gives you the chance to see both the historical and modern architecture and areas of the city. Both in the new and old towns, the buildings are beautiful, and there are many activities to choose from.
4. Instead of merely being a tourist, volunteering provides the opportunity to meet and know the local people. Ecuadorians are very friendly, very kind people that are eager to meet you. You will have the chance to really get to know the people at your volunteer project on a deeper level. You will be able to exchange cultures, languages, and experiences, and perhaps make lifelong friendships.

5. Ecuadorians speak clear Spanish. Unlike other countries in South America, the people speak clearly and don’t use strange pronunciation. Therefore, there will be lots of good listening practice for you, and you will be speaking like an Ecuadorian in no time!
6. Ecuador is the home to the famous Galapagos Islands! These islands are home to a great diversity of wildlife, so you will have the opportunity to see countless iguanas, swim with sea lions and iguanas, and spot beautiful, rare birds. These islands are awaiting your visit!

Ecuador is a wonderful country that will capture your heart forever. Volunteering here will not only provide you with the opportunity to see some amazing things, but it will also give you a new perspective and lifelong friends!

The post 6 Reasons to Volunteer in Ecuador appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Buenos días mamita! Cómo estás señorita linda?
That´s what I hear every morning when I enter the ‘comedor’ at the home for elderly people in Cusco, Peru, where I’m doing volunteer work.
The ‘ancianos’ are just finishing up their breakfast as I start my volunteer job, so the first thing I do every day is cleaning the tables and sweeping the floor. After this, I join the señora who is in charge of the women´s department, for various chores. For example one day we supplied footbaths for the ladies that were interested. So I distribute hot water bowls, help taking off their socks and shoes and put them on again. Another day we mop the floors inside or outside, or we shower some of them. I help to hand the towels and to help some of the ladies to get dressed. At the end of the morning it is already time for lunch; we serve the lunch and clean up afterwards.

All the people here – I mean the staff and all the people – , are incredibly nice, although I can´t understand everything they say to me because of my intermediate level of Spanish. On top of that, some of the people speak Quechua to me instead of Spanish, and the ones without teeth are very hard to understand. But they smile every time they see me and thank me every time I clear their plates

This volunteering job in Cusco involves a lot of cleaning, so be prepared to get some work done. But I’m enjoying it so much! And don’t forget it’s still at a home for elderly people, so the place is pretty tranquilo.
I´ve been taken in by the staff extremely friendly from day one and I never had a dull moment, I never wondered “what to do now”. Although some of the work might not seem very efficient for us, western people….everything I helped out with seemed useful to them and that´s what you should do it for!
If you think about traveling to Latin America or to Peru to do volunteer work, I truly recommend it.

Read more about different volunteer projects in Peru or contact us.

The post Volunteer work in Peru: an amazing experience appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

In the 1990’s people started with offering tours for tourists or others interested in the life in the farvelas, to make people more aware about the living conditions and show and experience a whole different side of Rio de Janeiro. With the money derived from the tours, volunteer projects are set up and supported and used for the local development.

If you are interested in doing volunteer work in Brazil and in particular Rio, you came to the right spot! We offer projects adapted to your wishes and interests. During your volunteering you get in close contact with the locals and get acquainted with their culture. When you want to make yourself useful in helping nature, we offer a project where you help within a tropical forest in an urban area. With this project you could be helping planting trees, guided visits and reintegrating animal species. If you prefer working with people, we offer social projects in Rio. We have a great project which helps and supports children and youngsters from underprivileged families. Help them with their English, play sports or look after the little ones in the nursery!

Please be aware that Brazil, even though located in South America, is a country where Portuguese is spoken and no Spanish! For most projects it is advisable to learn some basic Portuguese. There we recommend our optional Portuguese Language Program in advance. Here you will learn the basics so that you will be able to communicate better with the locals and optimize your experience. Go volunteering in Rio de Janeiro; a place with countless opportunities!

The post Volunteering in Rio de Janeiro living the local life appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Due to the many tourists arriving every year in Cusco, the infrastructure in the city has changed over the years. Especially around Plaza de Armas and the surrounding streets, you can see a lot of modernization and services for travelers. There are many nice restaurants, bars and other public facilities that have a modern touch and remind you of the Western world. Therefore, some travelers might forget about the fact that more than half of the population in Cusco and its surroundings live in poverty. It is shocking to see it with your own eyes and to realize, that there are huge differences between lifestyles in this Andean city.

Many people in and around Cusco live in poor circumstances. Many children grow up in poverty and especially the children in the more in rural areas, have often experienced (domestic) violence and/or work on the street. They do not get a proper education, so important to improve the quality of life. Fortunately there is a good amount of NGO’s and volunteer projects, that on education and health wanting to offer a brighter future, not only for children, but also for adults.

That’s why volunteers in Cusco are always welcome. Depending on your personal interests, experiences, profession and personality, we can always offer you different options. Our our own volunteer coordinator, located in Cusco, will find a project that matches your personality and personal goals.

You get the chance to teach children English, help them with their homework, to organize activities such as sports, arts, music or other educational programs when for example volunteering at After School Programs, Schools or Kindergartens. On the other hand, you can educate and spend time with children who have been through a difficult childhood, who have lived in poverty or experienced violence. We work on building self-confidence and self-esteem. Clinics and rehabilitation centers provide practical work for you to gain more experiences, while sport programs, museums and cultural centers give you the opportunity to exchange knowledge, gain more practice and become more confident in a certain field.

Volunteers are always needed and help is always appreciated. Especially because Cusco – one of the main traveler hubs of South America – offers a unique experience to so many travelers , we should not forget about the fact that many people live in poverty. If you can combine your travelers in Peru with the challenge of doing volunteer work in Cusco, contact us now.

The post Reasons for Volunteering in Cusco, Peru appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Why volunteer work? Doing volunteer work in Quito will not only enrich your travel time in South America, it will be something you can carry with you for the rest of your life. Spend some time with local children at one of our social volunteer projects (or at a public hospital that gives medical treatment to children. Tell them stories about your life back home or play fun games. The most important thing about volunteer work is being there; giving them the special attention they need and make them smile! Are you more interested in animals and nature? We also offer ecological projects just outside of Quito. Take care of the animals or help improving the infrastructure. These projects can all really use your help!

Why Volunteer in Quito? Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is literally located in the heart of the world and mostly known for its historic city center, many interesting museums and most importantly: extremely welcoming people. Especially for budget-travelers, this is the ideal place to go to. Traditional Ecuadorian food is delicious and cheap. Due to the perfect climate circumstances, Ecuadorians can grow almost everything they want which means that especially fruits, vegetables and herbs are very affordable. Transportation in Ecuador is also very cheap and the distances aren’t that long. Train rides are extremely fun too! Did you already know that the historic center of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? In your free time, you can enjoy a relaxing day wandering around this stunning part of the city.
Don’t hesitate any longer and make your contribution now by signing up as a volunteer in Ecuador! Have a look at our website and contact us for more information about all the volunteer projects in and around Quito.

The post Add meaning to your travels and volunteer in Quito appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Volunteering in Montevideo? This is a great option if you want to improve your Spanish while doing volunteer work in Latin America. Why not doing it in Montevideo! You can take Spanish classes in Uruguay in combination with a volunteer project or start right away with working at one of the volunteer projects here. For most projects you need to have a certain level of Spanish however, there are also many where a good level of English is sufficient. When your Spanish level is basic to none, we recommend following the classes at our Spanish School in Montevideo to optimize the communication with locals and make your experience truly unforgettable.

The beautiful city of Montevideo is the capital of the smallest country in Latin America; Uruguay. Because of its small size and surrounded by big neighbors Brazil and Argentina, this country is many times forgotten by travelers. Uruguay only has around 3 million citizens and almost half of them live in the Montevideo. The country in general is very safe and Montevideo has been declared as second safest capital of the world! Since the country offers good and secure living conditions and most people in Uruguay live a quite wealthy life. However, this does not mean that there is no poverty. The costs of living in the country and especially in the capital are very high. The differences are noticeable especially outside the main areas of the city and on the countryside of Uruguay.

if you are interested in Volunteering in Montevideo, there are many opportunities to participate in projects to help the local communities in Uruguay. Think of community development, education, youth work or giving a helping hand in an orphanage or day care. Montevideo is the biggest city of Uruguay and therefore most volunteer projects are situated here. If you are more interested in volunteering at environmental projects, there are also project which are based on helping nature. Since Montevideo has plenty of beaches and is surrounded by water, there are many cleaning and rescue projects. What about help cleaning the beaches from human wastes such as plastic bottles and other rubbish or go and rescue the endangered sea turtles?

It doesn’t matter what your interests are or what you want to do because the capital of Uruguay has it all! Don’t hesitate and book your Spanish classes and/or volunteer work now and start exploring the beautiful city of Montevideo and the countryside and beaches of Uruguay.

For more info about volunteer placements in Montevideo, Uruguay, contact us now.

The post Volunteering in Montevideo appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Si eliges trabajar con los niños puedes enseñarles Inglés, matemáticas o ciencias o puedes ayudar en la escuela de música o artes en el centro cultural. Sin embargo la carpintería y construcción implican más trabajo manual. También existe la posibilidad de trabajar en el teatro y la narración o los deportes.

En lugar de trabajar directamente con los niños también puedes ayudar en el programa de la naturaleza. Esto implica ayudar a construir un parque ecológico, la renovación de las habitaciones y jardines y el cuidado de los caballos.

Para trabajar en nuestros proyectos estamos buscando personas que sean entusiastas, dispuestas a aprender, dedicadas, pacientes, amables y tengan amor por la naturaleza. Los voluntarios trabajan 5 días a la semana durante 5-7 horas al día. Durante tu trabajo voluntario, tendrás alojamiento en una casa de voluntarios.

Español
Para este proyecto el español no tiene que ser fluido, el programa incluye hasta 10 horas de clases grupales de español a la semana. Las clases están destinadas a sumergirte en el idioma español y se centra en desarrollar la habilidad de conversación. El objetivo es permitir a los voluntarios comenzar rápidamente practicar sus habilidades en español mientras trabaja en nuestros programas de voluntariado y en contacto con la población local. Las clases tienen entre 2 y 6 participantes.

Santa Elena
Santa Elena se encuentra a una altitud de 900 m – 1000 m con un clima casi perfecto (16 ° -28 ° C). Está rodeado de un paisaje impresionante y una gran riqueza natural. La región es el sitio geológico más antiguo del planeta donde las montañas de cima plana prehistóricos son como islas ecológicas con especies endémicas como plantas carnívoras y un montón de tesoros naturales

Si eres un amante de la naturaleza, Santa Elena y sus alrededores te robarán el corazón. En este hermoso lugar hay bosques tropicales, espectaculares montañas, ríos y cascadas. Hay muchos parques nacionales de los alrededores que se pueden visitar y porque la ciudad limita con Brasil, también se puede tomar un viaje a la Amazonia.

Las caminatas por la selva tropical virgen pueden ser una aventura emocionantecon senderos que conducen a un sitio de turismo de 360 grados en la parte superior de una montaña cercana. También podría interesarte ir a montar a caballo y descubrir la sabana o disfrutar de una excursión a un pueblo indígena cercano con ríos refrescantes, cascadas increíbles o descubrir una antigua cueva cercana. Las bicicletas de montaña están disponibles y pueden ser utilizadas libremente por los voluntarios.

Para obtener mayor información acerca de las opciones de Voluntariado en Venezuelavisita nuestro sitio web.

The post Voluntariado en la todavía escondida Venezuela appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.