Volunteer in Peru with AMIGOS
Help the Poor While Learning the Language and Cultural Mores
By Karen Milne
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There are so many children in
Peru who can use your
help learning English and other subjects while also receiving a good meal. |
While discovering the delights of Peru, I decided to volunteer at AMIGOS Spanish School, the only nonprofit language center in Cusco, where income from teaching Spanish to foreign visitors helps provide an education
for local children. I was immediately struck by the friendly and caring atmosphere and consideration for both the foreign visitors and local students.
Located high in the Andean mountains and
surrounded by Inca history, the school offers children in extreme
poverty a 3-year program consisting of daily English classes,
workshops to build self-confidence and communication skills, and
a daily meal—sometimes the only one a child receives. It
was easy to see the positive impact the program was having on
the local students and how it would open many doors for their
future. Foreign visitors to the school told me how much they were
benefiting from the high quality Spanish lessons, the warm atmosphere,
and the knowledge that they were investing in the future of Cusco’s
children. At AMIGOS all the teachers are professionals and accreditation
is even available.
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Cusco is a beautiful city with even more wonderful people. |
For travelers like myself who wish to make a long-term contribution, AMIGOS offers volunteer work in teaching and administration for those staying for three months or more. The well-organized homestay program offers comfortable
and safe accommodation with incredible Peruvian hospitality and home cooking. In addition to language classes, the foreign students’ program includes a “real” city tour and visits to a local school and Cusquenian homes. This
essential part of my experience allowed me to gain an understanding of life for the children in Cusco. Authentic cooking and salsa dancing classes are also available, offering travelers a cultural education and an essential preparation for enjoying
Peruvian nightlife.
During my time at AMIGOS I came to know the founder and director, Jesus Napancca, who grew up working throughout his childhood to support his family. As a Spanish teacher in Cusco he noticed the demand for an English-speaking
workforce. Because very few of his fellow Peruvians spoke English well, the choice jobs in Cusco were usually taken by foreigners. He decided to start a school for underprivileged adolescents, where in addition to learning English the students
would also receive emotional support, a daily meal, and, most importantly, love.
When I asked what else lay behind the project
he replied, “We believe that one way to further communication
and understanding in our world is to learn about each other, in
a deeper and more profound way. Learning a language of another
culture is the first step to this.” It is easy to become
part of AMIGOS. You can contact the school via its website
at Amigos Spanish School.
Karen Milne is a professional
fundraiser in Scotland. She spent 12 months in Cusco, Peru working
for a variety of developmental voluntary organizations. As a Spanish
speaker she was able to build many close relationships with local
people.
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