Cusco is a beautiful city of approximately 350,000 people, and incorporates both ancient Incan, and colonial architecture. It is a tourist hub, as the gateway to Peru’s Incan history and culture. Situated in the heart of the Sacred Valley, it is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding ruins, including Machu Picchu. The schools where you will be volunteering are located in the city centre of Cusco or close to it.

Volunteers will be able to use local public transport to travel from their accommodation to the schools, and elsewhere in the city. The cost of this is not included in the project fee.

For this opportunity, the standard volunteer accommodation is in a hostel (incl. breakfast). Alternatively, you can stay either in a local family homestay (2 meals per day) or in the NGO Taxi Headquarters together with other volunteers where you can make your own breakfast and have dinner together with your fellow volunteers. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant. Accommodation at the HQ includes full board (breakfast/lunch/dinner). We aim to provide you with a pleasant atmosphere, and common area so that you can meet other volunteers, socialize with them and plan your weekend activities. 

Professional requirements:
Volunteers with teaching training or experience will be prioritized for this opportunity, as well as those with previous experience working with children. However, a teaching background is not required. In this case, a mature and sensible attitude, a willingness to learn, collaborate and share, and a dedication to being a role model and supporting students in their learning are essential. This opportunity is new, and even though the schools are public roles are not yet structured, or clearly defined.

It can sometimes be very hard to motivate the children, because they are caught up in a complex situation of having to work and go to school. In many cases they need to work and support the entire family. Healthy family structures are often disrupted and the children are not well protected or cared for at home. Learning curves at schools are therefore very low. Some of the children do not seem to make any progress throughout the year, which is why the same curriculum is often taught over and over again, and to children of different ages.

This volunteering opportunity requires a great amount of patience and genuine will to work hard in order to give these children some perspective. However, you will also be rewarded with a great amount of smiles, gratefulness and natural energy that will certainly stay in your life forever. For this volunteering opportunity a certificate of conduct is required.

This project supports and encourages teamwork along with a great deal of flexibility, autonomy and initiative. If you are open and ready for it, you’ll learn how to deal with aspects of daily life and be able to adapt to different fields of activity.

Generally, you should be ready to respond to changes and be able to deal with the unexpected for any work in South America.

Language requirements:
As assistant teacher you must speak a basic-intermediate level of Spanish prior to starting as lessons are also taught in Spanish, and it is necessary to communicate closely with the teacher you will be working with, and with the students. We will provide you with a FREE 20-hour Spanish language program that prepares you for teaching at schools. If you do not have enough previous Spanish experience you must complete an additional language course. You can also start a basic Spanish course via online videos, Skype or by taking part in a virtual classroom. Or you can opt for group lessons or private instruction on-location in one of the language schools associated with us, for example. Please ask us and we will provide you with all the information.

Minimum age:
All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Start dates:
1st or 3rd Sunday each month. 
(Individual arrival dates possible, surplus applies). 

Length of stay:
Minimum commitment for this opportunity is 4 weeks. Longer commitments are preferred and encouraged.

Immunizations: 
It is essential to be up-to-date with immunizations before you arrive at your project. This includes, among others: yellow fever (certified), tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, and rabies. You’ll receive exact information pertaining to immunizations needed in Peru, as well as your personal preliminary documentation, following your successful application with us.

You can inquire in advance concerning immunization requirements by consulting medical authorities in your country of origin, e.g. in the US, check with the Centers for Disease Control and Protection http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru.

Please make sure that you have up-to-date vaccinations for all of these diseases. NGO Taxi cannot be held responsible for the provision of vaccinations for their volunteers. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to ensure that they have followed up-to-date medical advice.

Special conditions:
The schools have multiple classrooms and outside play areas, and cater for between 600-5000 students, sometimes with 30-40 students in a class. Facilities and classroom equipment is basic but not lacking. You are welcome to provide or create your own materials needed for activities. 

Sometimes you will find that you are the only volunteer at a school. At other times however, there might be more volunteers, so be prepared for variety in the people you will meet and work with. In any case, you will always be surrounded by dozens of children full of the joys of life, and of course, you will have the support of the local teachers.

Please be aware that the summer holidays last from mid-December until the beginning of March. The exact dates can vary from year to year and school to school. There is also one two-week mid-term holiday at the end of July and beginning of August. You will not be able to volunteer at the school during these times.

But why not volunteer with your best friend?!

Tell us with whom you want to volunteer and we will arrange your fellow volunteer experience for you.

• Mountain biking.
• Rafting.
• Hiking.
• Paragliding.
• Visit to Machu Picchu.
• Dance classes. 
• Cooking classes. 
• City tours. 
• Ziplining.