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Outreach to Mentally and Physically Disabled
Peru Volunteer Placement
Options
- Full-time volunteer
- Internship
- Part-time volunteer
- Volunteer Only
A clinic run by a religious order and offers free treatment to mentally and physically disabled children (or treatment for a symbolic fee sych as a bag or rice or corn). Due to the present economic situation in Peru, the clinic has been cut off from government funding. The institute is self-sufficient (they grow corn, and vegetables, in greenhouses) and have animals on-site that they keep for consumption. Facts about the Clinica: 52 children living at the hogar, 40 come for or daily therapy, 72 children attend the school, 4 teachers, 3 nurses in the morning and 2 in the afternoon work there, 3 therapists, they receive little or no funding from the government and are trying to become self-sustaining.
Varies. Any of the professions mentioned above. Help is also needed in the infirmary which includes: washing, dressing, feeding, and playing with children. Volunteers can also work as teaching assistants in the school, assisting with art projects and helping the children with their work. Volunteers can work in the gardens or greenhouse or look after the animals. Help is also needed in the administrative office. The meal schedule is 07:30-08:30 breakfast, Noon-1pm lunch, 5:00-6:00pm dinner.
Work Schedule: Varies. More help is needed during lunch and dinner times and weekends. (Full-time Monday through Friday, nights and/or weekends.)
Location of Placements: Cusco
Lodging: Shared apartment. Homestay available at extra cost.
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Minimum commitment: 4 weeks.
- Minimum Spanish level: High-Beginner
- Experience with disabled children
- Volunteers at this site MUST be self motivators
- Volunteers MUST take the initiative and ask about tasks!
- A person who really wants to help
Important Things to Consider:
- The clinic is SEVERELY understaffed, and often the nurses do not have time to tell volunteers what to do.
- Spanish used to communicate with staff, but is not intensive with disabled, hearing/speech impaired patients.
- This is an underfunded organization.
Other Comments:
The maximum number of volunteers that this organization accepts is 6.
(note: that we don’t know if positions are available until you apply).
**The institute only has a budget for 2 months in advance. Fund-raising is another possibility for volunteers.
The special needs school is CLOSED during "summer break, "mid-December-April and for 2 weeks the end of July.
Program Fees:
click here to return to Peru Summary page with program fees
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