Volunteers are placed in an indigenous, Quechua-speaking
community high in the Andes mountains, approximately 1 hour from Cusco. They
live and work alongside a traditional Andean family. Volunteers should
consider this project an intense, cultural encounter and be able to live with
only basic necessities. It will be very rewarding but also very challenging.
Volunteers help families with the
following activities:
Agriculture — most common crops
are potatoes and quinoa. Volunteers assist with planting, harvesting, storing,
and transporting crops.
Livestock — feeding and taking
care of the animals and sometimes milking the cows owned by the host family.
Textiles — learning about
traditional weaving skills and natural dyes by working with the women who
create traditional textile products to sell at local markets.
This project provides an income source for small communities and promotes
cross cultural understanding. Volunteers will be able to take part in
local festivities and gatherings both within their host family and the
community. Volunteers should consider this project an intense, cultural
encounter and be able to live with only basic necessities. It will be very
rewarding but also very challenging.
Please note that the accommodations and meals will be very basic due to the
extremely remote setting of these communities. Hot showers will not be
available and running water is not guaranteed. Locals bath in a mix of boiled
and cold water that they put in a bucket.
Another important point is that no English is spoken in these communities.
Quechua is the local language. Most locals also speak Spanish as a second
language. It is still possible to have a rewarding and full experience even
though there will be a language barrier. Furthermore, the community is very
warm and welcoming to all volunteers.
