General info

Volunteering in Peru – We are an Artesania (handicraft) family from Ayacucho, Peru. We run free English classes for local children and are in need of volunteers to teach these classes. Classes are held Mon-Fri and you will be asked to teach for 1-3 hours per day (depending on the number of volunteers at the time). In return, you will be able to live with us – a traditional Peruvian family – and take part in a cultural experience like no other: you will be able to learn our Artesania techniques, try delicious home-cooked Peruvian and learn their recipes, go to traditional religious festivals and much more! We have several other projects going, and they are all supported by our family-run Artesania company, Wiñay Maki. We have been hosting travellers since 2010.

What type of host are you?

• Private/Individual/family

What are you looking for help with?

• Teaching English /Language Exchange

What’s the mission of your community?

‘Wiñason‘ is a Quechua word meaning ‘growing’. It is our goal and dream to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Ayacucho so that they can grow and thrive. We have two main missions:

1. Help the people of Ayacucho who come from the low-socioeconomic background. We want to empower these people through education and work, and allow them to broaden their opportunities for the future.
2. Preserve artisan traditions and spread our art – unfortunately, our traditions are being lost so we want to prevent this by teaching people our handicraft techniques and exporting our products overseas.

How many volunteers could you host?

• I can host Groups of volunteers

When would you need volunteers?

All year long

How many hours of help per day?

Teach for 1-3 hours per day (depending on the number of volunteers at the time)

How many days of help per week?

5 days per week – 2 days off

Note about the volunteer work and other expectations

• No prior teaching experience required.
• Minimum intermediate level of English is required.
• Basic Spanish would be useful as the family does not speak much English, but as long as you’re open-minded and willing to learn, you are sure to pick up the basics in no time!
• We also welcome anyone with skills who may be able to help us in any other way – such as building (we are still expanding the house), graphic design, or exportation of our arteania goods so that we can spread it to other countries.

Are accommodation and food included?

Yes, we offer food and accommodation

What type of accommodation can you provide?

• Private Room
• Private room for a couple

Diet – nutrition information

All meals are homecooked Peruvian food made by Victoria, the mother. If you have dietary requirements, please let us know. In the past, we have hosted vegetarian and vegan volunteers.

Fees transparency

Our program is free, including accommodation, and you will be able to have three meals a day with the family.

While it is not obligatory, it is a great help for us if you are able to occasionally help us out with the grocery shopping. In addition, we love it when volunteers cook us meals from their country!

VISA – could you provide Visa support/info/invitation letters?

We cannot help with Visa but we can offer assistance

Volunteering in Peru:  benefits

By staying with us, you will get to have an authentic Peruvian experience. You will:

• become part of a Peruvian family and see what the local life here is like.
• learn our handicraft techniques, including embroidery and weaving.
• shop like a local at the markets with Victoria, eat delicious home-cooked Peruvian dishes and learn how to cook them,
• go to religious festivals (Ayacucho is famous for their numerous festivals throughout the year), all while helping the children of the area.

If you wish to see the countryside, you will also have the opportunity to visit Millpu, Ciriaco’s (the father) hometown.

What to do in the free time

Ayacucho is famous for its numerous churches and religious festivals. There are also many interesting places which you can visit on day trips including Quinua, Wari (ruins), Pikimachay (ruins), Niñobamba (natural hot springs) and Millpu (Aguas Turquesas).

Language

Spanish, Quechua

Geography

Ayacucho is the capital city of the Humanga province and the Ayacucho region. It is located in the central highlands at an altitude of 2761m (9508ft).

How to get to your site

You can get to Ayacucho by either aeroplane or bus. From Lima, it is approximately 1 hour by plane or 10 hours by bus.
There are several bus companies that offer overnight buses from Lima to Ayacucho. If you are new to South America and do not speak much Spanish, Cruz del Sur has a website in English from which you can buy your tickets online, either in US dollars or Peruvian soles.

Specific instructions for arriving at the house will be given to you once your stay is confirmed. We are located in the Santa Ana area.

Is there internet access?

Yes!

“Paying guests” Option. Could you accommodate “solidarity” tourists?

Maybe. This needs to be discussed via e-mail

CONTACT DETAILS

Website: https://www.winason.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/winasonasociacion/

Volunteering in Peru, Hostname: Wiñason
Host Email: winason.ayacucho@gmail.com

For more Volunteering opportunities in Peru, click here.

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