Volunteer Teacher Assistant in Kindergartens Cusco, Peru

Overview

In Peru’s rural communities, kindergartens aim to foster the holistic development of children through activities that build cognitive, motor, emotional, and social skills. These kindergartens are unique, as they’re often led by local mothers, referred to as "entertainers" or "promoters," who receive basic training and regular monitoring by professional educators.

Unlike the structured, resource-rich kindergartens you might be familiar with, these rural classrooms are very basic and rely heavily on community participation. This is where you, as a volunteer, play a vital role in supporting both the children and their dedicated "promoters."

Your Role as a Volunteer
Assist the "entertainers" or "promoters" in achieving monthly goals that help children progress in critical areas like language, basic math, and social interaction.

Provide one-on-one attention and support to the 30-40 children typically packed into a single classroom, ensuring they receive the care they need to succeed.
Help enrich classrooms that are often under-resourced, with old furniture, limited teaching materials, and a shortage of supplies.

What makes this project special?
The children are aged 3 to 5 years and are just beginning to learn foundational skills to prepare them for elementary school.

These kindergartens are located in underprivileged, rural areas, where your involvement can make a lasting impact on the lives of the children and the community.

You’ll be working in hands-on settings, guiding kids in spelling, basic directions, and interactive learning, helping to improve their chances for future success.

Why Choose This Program?
Volunteering at these rural kindergartens offers an incredibly rewarding experience. You'll be part of a grassroots effort to uplift children in some of Peru’s most underserved communities. Your contribution, both in time and resources, will help create a nurturing environment where these children can thrive, despite the challenges they face.

How You Can Contribute Beyond Volunteering?
Consider bringing donations of educational materials, games, or even gently used furniture. These items can significantly enhance the learning environment for these eager students.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Sunday - Arrival in Cusco, Peru
Monday - An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, informing the volunteers about relative topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Peru.
Tue to Fri - Volunteer Work.
Weekends: Free to explore the city/ Head out for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley etc.
Breakfast - 07:00 am to 08:00 am
Working hours at the placement - 09:00 am to 01:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm (The second shifts depends on the requirement at the placement)
Lunch - 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm
Dinner - 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm

The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards.

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating in.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a teaching assistant, you need to be extremely patient, as a high level of focus and dedication is required while dealing with the kids. The main role of volunteers in this program is to assist the entertainers or promoters by engaging in various hands-on activities such as cutting, gluing, and drawing with the children. You'll also help check homework, grade tests, distribute meals at break time, organize activities for the next day, clean the classroom, and decorate it. Your support in these tasks will greatly enhance the learning environment and help the children thrive.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have the ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program. A beginner-intermediate level of Spanish would be an added advantage for the participants in the program.

Schedule a Google Meet with a Program Advisor

Interested in our programs? We're here to provide expert guidance

Schedule a Meeting

Get Detailed Info
20 min One -on-One meeting
Get expert advise
Application Guidance

Photo Gallery

Living

Airport Transfer
As soon as you land at Cusco Airport, our friendly local coordinator or representative will be there to greet you. If you’re travelling overland or are already in Peru, we’ll arrange a convenient pickup at a designated meeting point or bus station. You´ll see the VolSol logo and your name at the airport door.

Orientation
Get ready for an exciting journey with our orientation! Our local staff will introduce you to key aspects of life in Peru, covering topics like culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and your volunteer placements. This session will help you feel right at home!

Accommodation
Experience authentic Peruvian culture by staying with a local host family! You’ll share a cozy room with fellow volunteers, giving you the chance to bond and make new friends. Most host families have two bathrooms equipped with hot showers, and the accommodations are clean and comfortable. Many homes also offer Wi-Fi and cable TV for your convenience.

Meals
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your host family, served three times a day from Monday to Friday. The menu varies daily and typically includes mouth-watering soups, fresh salads, rice, potatoes, refreshing juices, and delightful desserts.

During your Free Time
During your free time, feel free to explore, shop, or relax! Most weekends, volunteers seize the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sacred Valley or the world-renowned Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. In Cusco, take a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, discovering local restaurants and vibrant shopping areas along the way.

Dates

November

December

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$495
2 Weeks	$645
3 Weeks	$830
4 Weeks	$1000
5 Weeks	$1200
6 Weeks	$1375
7 Weeks	$1575
8 Weeks	$1775
Extra Week	$325

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Pickup from Cusco Airport or Bus Station
Orientation
Accommodation in a homestay
Meals from Monday to Friday
Insurance (Provided at an extra cost)
Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT Included?

Airfare
Visa and Visa extension fee
Return airport drop and airport taxes
Local Transportation
Any personal expenses

FAQ's

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location?: Your country coordinator will take you to your placement location and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will also be narrated about the directions to the project location from your accommodation and the modes of transport which you can use.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Peru?: Your program fee covers mostly all the major expenses when you arrive in Peru except your personal expenses. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $70-80 per week for your basic personal expenses. However, this amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on different weekend trips out of town.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Volunteering Solutions arranges accommodation for volunteers in homestays or with host families in Peru. The accommodations are simple and have basic amenities.

Three meals are provided in a day of which the lunch is the specialty of Peruvian families. The food is tasty, hygienic and nutritious, suited to all volunteers. The volunteers should note that the food is provided from Monday to Saturday of each week. On Sundays, volunteers can eat at nearby eateries or find out good restaurants as per choice.
Can vegetarians be accommodated?: Yes – please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can make sure to provide you with the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
Where can I change my money in Peru? Are there ATMs in Cusco and other Peruvian cities?: You can change your money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATMs located all around the city. The market areas around the project location also have ample ATMs and money exchange counters.
Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: Depending on your project placement, you may get free evenings and weekends. You can utilize this time to visit local markets and other places around your project location.

Places like Barrio de San Blas, Hatton Rumiyuq, Convent and Church of La Merced and Cathedral of Peru have been declared as a World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and must be visited by volunteers during free time and weekends. Of course, we also arrange for tours to Macchu Picchu.

Volunteers are also free to plan quick getaways and explore Peru. We also arrange programs for groups in Tambopata Rainforest areas and the country coordinator can be contacted for the same.

Application and Program Details

Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
How long does it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we follow the first come first serve rule, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee of $225. You can pay your program fee later and also by installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
How many hours will I volunteer every day?: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day, for 5 days a week, depending on their program. You will have the weekends to explore Peru. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can alter any time.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs during your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of applying). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
How long does it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 working days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking will be confirmed and booking confirmation will be updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
Are there any particular requirements to join the programs in Peru?: The minimum age requirement for the programs in Peru is 17 years. For the Medical program, volunteers must be 18 years and above.

He/she should have the flexibility to adjust to a new environment and culture.

Volunteers should have a basic/ intermediate knowledge of Spanish Language.

For Medical Program – Pre-Medical , Medical and Nursing students as well as Medical Professionals are welcome to join. Participants with other qualifications in the medical field such as CAN, EMT can also join the program.

The participant should be in good health.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care for providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
When do I need to arrive in Peru for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country?: All volunteers need to arrive in Cusco, Peru, for the Peru programs on the starting date of their project.

Volunteers are picked from the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco by the in-country coordinator or representative. Accommodation is provided in a homestay or with the host family.

A short orientation is given after arrival about the city, placement, safety precautions. The volunteers are also taken for a short tour of the city before the commencement of the program. However, the tour is dependent upon the arrival time of your flight.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: All participants joining the volunteer projects in Peru need to apply for Visa at the nearest Peruvian High Commission in their city. Along with the Visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. We provide volunteers with the necessary supporting documents for their Peruvian Visa application. More information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions enrolled participant.
What are the recommended airlines to fly to Peru?: The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco is well connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, Emirates Flights are some of the popular airlines.

Health and Safety

Do I need to buy a health insurance?: Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
How safe is Peru in general?: Peru attracts travelers from different parts of the world and is generally safe. However, we recommend all volunteers to take necessary precautions against thefts and robberies. Also, seek permission from your coordinator before venturing out alone in the evenings.

Volunteers can also look up resourceful sites like Lonely Planet to gather more information about Peru and its general atmosphere. You are also recommended to follow the safety guidelines provided by the in-country coordinator during Orientation Session.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Peru. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations like

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Diarrhoea

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Peruvian alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website.