Medical Volunteer Program in Peru - Cusco

Overview

Join the Medical & Healthcare Volunteer Program in Peru for a transformative experience that not only enriches the lives of others but also deepens your understanding of the country's healthcare system. As a volunteer, you'll play a crucial role in supporting local healthcare staff at clinics and medical centers that serve underprivileged communities in Cusco.

Your proactive approach and cultural adaptability are key to making a real impact. Engage with the local staff, ask questions, and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Cusco to enhance your experience. Depending on your medical background and Spanish proficiency, you may assist with various procedures, including suturing wounds, administering vaccinations, and taking patients' vital signs. You'll also be responsible for filling out essential forms and documentation to ensure smooth operations within the clinics.

This program is particularly suited for premed and medical students eager to gain hands-on clinical experience. As a volunteer, you'll work alongside professionals, assisting doctors and nurses while making a genuine contribution to the health of the community. Embrace this opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference!

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

As a volunteer, your primary role will be to shadow healthcare professionals and provide assistance wherever needed. Your specific responsibilities may include:

Depending on your skills and experience, you may have the opportunity to perform tasks such as suturing wounds, administering vaccinations, and assisting doctors during critical surgeries and operations.
Become actively involved in the daily routines of the clinic by participating in ward rounds, maintaining patient files, and conducting routine checkups, including measuring blood pressure and checking for fever.
Engage with patients to help provide comfort and support, making their healthcare experience as positive as possible.
Assist with filling out medical forms and maintaining accurate records to ensure efficient clinic operations.

Your involvement will be tailored to your expertise and proficiency in the Spanish language, making communication essential. Embrace this unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a meaningful environment, where your contributions will make a significant impact on the lives of those in need!

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 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. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Medical volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report, CV as well as other documents pertaining to their qualifications prior to joining the program. Pre Medical, Medicine and Nursing students are welcome to join the program. Students must have an intermediate level of Spanish to join the program.

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Living

When you choose to volunteer in Peru, just pack your bags and arrive at the destination with a relaxed mind. Our dedicated coordinator at the location arranges airport transfers, stay, meals and also weekend tours for you. All you have to do is arrive.

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Cusco Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Peru will be picked up at a meeting point decided beforehand or at the bus station.

Accommodation

Volunteers are provided with accommodation with local host families. By staying with a host family you will experience the local culture, customs and Peruvian way of living. Volunteers are hosted in shared bedrooms with other volunteers. Usually, there are 2 bathrooms in every host family with hot showers. Accommodations are clean and comfortable. Some houses have the WiFi connection and cable TV as well.

Orientation

A half day orientation will be provided by the local staff. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety, and volunteer placements are given during the orientation. The orientation will be given by the local staff in Peru.

Meals

Volunteers are provided with three cooked meals a day (Monday- Saturday) at the host family house. Meals vary from day to day and generally include soups, vegetable salad, rice, potatoes, juice, dessert etc.

During your Free Time

Volunteers are free to visit and see places or do shopping during their free time. On the weekends most of the volunteers plan a trip to Sacred Valley or the world famous 'Macchu Picchu' - the lost city of Incas. In Cusco, you can walk around Plaza de Armas and explore the different restaurants and shopping areas.

Dates

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$605
2 Weeks	$755
3 Weeks	$905
4 Weeks	$1057
5 Weeks	$1345
6 Weeks	$1534
7 Weeks	$1723
8 Weeks	$1932
Extra Week	$425

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.

What are you Paying For?

24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup from Cusco Airport
Orientation
Accommodation in a homestay
Meals
Insurance (Provided at an extra cost)

What's NOT Included?

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

FAQ's

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.

Accommodation and Living

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.
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.

Application and Program Details

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.
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.

Health and Safety

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
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.

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.