Volunteering in Peru for 10 days
 

My trip is kind of short and a lot of organizations I have talked to want a longer commitment. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn't permit me to stretch beyond that. I am ok with paying some money to the volunteering organization if that's what it comes down to but need a good organization to work with. Is IVHQ a good place to start? My friend went to Kenya with them and was quite happy. I am thinking of going there in September. Would also be doing 4D/3N hike in MAcchu picchu. I would be happy with any suggestion. Thank you and happy travelling

Mahesh

Whilst I applaud your sentiment in wishing to volunteer the reality of short term "voluntourism" projects is that they actually provide little benefit to the people they purport to help. Indeed, if you look deeper into these activities, many can actually be detrimental to the societies they are supposed to be helping by reducing employment /business opportunities for the local people. The people who benefit the most are the ownwers of the agencies involved.

The exception to this would be volunteers with specialist expertise such as doctors or engineers who can provide specialist help, vaccination projectes etc.. which even over over a short period can really "make a difference". Helping to build a school, or teach english isn't really going to make any positive difference.

if you really want to help then just go to this wonderful country and spend your money sensibly to boost the trade of the small local businesses who benefit directly from your cash. If trekking, then take the time to ensure that you use a reputable organsation that treats its porters/gudes well and with respect. Some receive very low pay and are treated very badly, the bulk of your cash going straight into the pocket of the operator.

if you can't get on a MP trek then take a look at some of the other trek. We did the trek from Lares to Ollantaytmbo and it was a highlight of our time in Peru (plus we saw virtually no other tourists).

Awamaki in Ollantaytambo has some sustainable tourism activities, homestays, cooking lessons, etc. I agree with the comment re short term volunteers not being the best option and many responsible agencies just won't. Anyway their programs are not very expensive so you might look into them at www.awamakitourism.wordpress.com or in the plaza in Ollantaytambo.
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Thanks for the info. guys. Much appreciated. Crellston, I understand what you are saying. I am a mechanical engineer by profession but a lot of organizations don't look for skills that I possess in this area. Also, due to time constraint, I am not able to do more than 10 days for volunteering. I am looking at IVHQ for a week and they charge $500 / week. What I want to do is go there once to get a feel for it and in future work with the poor people directly instead of middleman. Do you know anything about this organization?

Sorry, but I no nothing of this organisation apart from what I read on their website which, does seem like a lot of other volunteering websites. $500 per week does sound a lot.
My own long term volunteering was done in Sierra Leone via http://www.vso.org.uk/ one of the worlds largest volunteer/development organisations in the main sponsored by the UK government. The pre-departure training we got was extensive and look in deatil into teh effects, good an bad of short term volunteer projects (which is why I fee strongly about the subject).

We spent a couple of weeks in Ollantaytambo working with http://www.livingheartperu.org/ - I am not sure whether they still accept short term volunteers but the could be worth contacting. Take a look at their T&Cs on their site for costs etc,. Also worth a look is http://www.saexplorers.org/club/home which is a good place to start looking at alternatives and would be really useful given your future plans

That's awesome! Thanks again for all the input. Happy traveling!

Crellston you would be shocked to see the new Hearts Cafe now two stories on the prime corner of Ollantaytambo leading to the trains. But the quinoa soup (and breakfast porridge version) is still delish.

mlgb - I am sure I would. When we where there in 2008, I think the property owners, seeing how successful the Cafe had become, were trying keen then to take back the premises. The old location was great just for sitting outside and watching the world go by but it sounds like the new location is indeed a prime spot (particualrly for those desperate fro some decent food after a trek or a stay in Aquas Calientes!