Contribute to vital construction projects and explore some of the best of South America
Program Overview
Travel to beautiful colonial city of Arequipa and volunteer from one week on short term construction projects in indigenous communities.
These constructions projects are always based on the need in our partner communities so your focus while in the field can vary, from building energy efficient stoves to combat indoor air pollution, water tanks for rainwater storage or long drop toilets to decrease the spread of disease.
This project is run by GVI’s in-country partner Phoenix, who have been operating educational and construction projects all over Latin America since 2003, successfully improving living standards for hundreds of families.
Life on the Program
Before starting in the community, your first two days are spent taking 1-on-1 Spanish classes to prepare you to start work on the project. For the remainder, your time will be spent fully immersed in the community as you complete your project from start to finish.
Days can be long and the weather hot and you should prepare for being involved in physical activities such as digging, mixing cement, lifting and laying bricks.
Your evenings will be free to relax with other volunteers, practice Spanish or explore the city. Basic but comfortable accommodation is provided with a local host family, giving you the opportunity for full immersion in Peruvian life.
Program Details
The main aim of this project is to first and foremost, improve the standards of living of the Quechua-speaking (the local indigenous language) communities with which we work, which face many problems integrating with life in Arequipa.
Even though a short term project, your contribution will ensure long term benefits, by allowing access to clean and safe drinking water, providing efficient sanitation facilities or reducing indoor smoke pollution. The latter is a problem faced by thousands of people all over the world and kills more people every year than either Malaria or HIV/AIDS.
Volunteer Testimonials
Latest from the Base...
Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- 10 hours of 1-on-1 Spanish lessons
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
