VOLUNTEER FOR FREE!

There is NO CHARGE for volunteering with us (as long as you stay in the volunteer flats which cost just $170 per month, note the exchange rate was s/3.15 soles). If you stay in other accommodation there is a $50 administration charge, the only charge we ask for during all your volunteer period with us - a LOT less than many organisations charge!

DAY VISITS

Some of our projects can be visited for just one day so don't worry if you don't have a lot of time free.  Please note that we do ask you to actually engage in some activity as we do not want the children to feel like they are museum exhibits!  

If you are interested, visit our office during office hours at Cruz Verde 300 B2, Arequipa (just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas) or contact us at travellernottourist@gmail.com. Please give us as much notice as possible!

VOLUNTEER FOR LONGER

We have worked out a month long volunteer program with Spanish lessons and accommodation (see below for more information). This package is just a suggestion so whether it´s what you are looking for or not, please see instructions for the application process below. You can do volunteering with or without Spanish lessons and for any amount of time. We are very flexible!

THE VOLUNTEER PACKAGE

The price of this package is made up of:

• Volunteer placement and support                       US$FREE!
• Accommodation for 30 days (details below)       US$170
• 55 hours of Spanish lessons (US$5 per hour)     US$275

FULL PRICE OF PACKAGE                        US$445

Please note: We also require an accommodation deposit of US$170 which will be returned to you when you leave (unless you break or lose anything in which case the cost of replacement will be taken out of the deposit). This deposit is not included in the US$445.

Just US$445 for one month of Spanish lessons and accommodation whilst taking part in a meaningful and worthwhile volunteer program in a warm and vibrant country!

The Program

Week 1 consists of an intensive Spanish course to start you off (5 hours of lessons per day, Monday to Friday). These will be one-on-one lessons so you can set the level and pace. All lessons will be held at the language school.

Weeks 2-4 you will work with one of the projects for part of the day and also have 2 hours of Spanish lessons per day.

We are currently working with 2 different projects – an orphanage (Casa Hogar Luz Alba) and a community (Villa Chachani).  The main aim in all projects is to relieve poverty and improve the quality of life of people (particularly children) living in risk and/or poverty.  Tasks include (but are not limited to); Teaching English, Art and Cookery classes, Playing games, Cooking, Cleaning and Washing.  We also encourage volunteers to devise and execute mini-projects of their own (with our support). You can find out more about our projects on the "Our projects" page of this website.

You have the weekends free to spend as you choose. There are many sites of interest in and around Arequipa for you to visit. You can book tours, treks, bike rides etc. through us and, if you do, a percentage of your tour price will go towards our project work.  If you would rather just hang out around Arequipa there are lots of good cafes, restaurants, clubs, shops, sites of interest etc.

The package does not include food so you are free to try the wealth of international cuisine Arequipa has to offer, or cook for yourself.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

We have 2 volunteer flats, both in the same building.

Each flat has 3 bedrooms with double beds, which means they are suitable for people travelling alone or couples.

The flats are brand new and feature:

A Kitchen with...
4 hob gas stove
Plumbed in sink with draining board
Huge fridge
Fitted cupboards
Pots, pans, plates, glasses, cups, cutlery etc

A Living Area with...
Dining table with chairs
Sofas
TV with some cable channels
Board games, playing cards and even Jenga!

Bedrooms with.....
Built in wardrobes (as modelled by John!)
New matresses
Bedside tables
Nice warm douvets
Comfy pillows

A Bathroom with....
A Bathtub
A Shower
Hot water
Wash Basin
Mirror

NB. It may sound like I am getting unnecessarily excited about rather ordinary things but if you do/have done any travelling on a budget in South America you will realise that these things cannot be taken for granted! (I was especially excited to see a bathtub when we moved in!)

Notes:
The price for accommodation includes water, electricity and gas.

Please be aware that there are limited spaces. If we are unable to provide you with accommodation in the flat we will help you find alternative accommodation. If you do not live in the volunteer flats there is an administration fee of $50 per month.  

Spanish lessons and accommodation in the volunteer flats are available separately and can be arranged to suit your timetable and individual requirements. Spanish lessons are arranged after arrival.

You are welcome to come and volunteer with us if you don’t book but please bear in mind that it is possible there will be no rooms available.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

We do require that our volunteers:

• Provide a reference from a former employer or person of authority who is NOT a relative
• Provide us with a copy of the photograph page of their passport
• Treat the children and other people we work with (including other volunteers) with respect and communicate with them as well as possible.
• Are enthusiastic and give their best

We do not require:

• Any money or donations other than rent for the flat or the administration charge if not living in the flat.
• Any particular level of Spanish
• Any previous experience of volunteering or working with children
• Any particular religious views or that you take part in any religious activities (although a sensitivity towards the religious views of others is important)

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

If you want to volunteer with us you can just come to the office between 9am and 12pm or 3pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday. You will need to bring:

1. A printed reference from a paid job or volunteer position, including contact information for the person who wrote the reference (email address essential)
2. A copy of the photograph page of your passport
3. $50 (Administration fee if not staying in the flats, initial deposit if you are)
4. Enthusiasm and a smile :-)

If you want to book in advance to secure your room in one of the volunteer flats the application process is as follows (please only do this if you are sure that you are coming. You don't need to write to check if there is space available, just send us the information below and we will let you know if there are any problems and suggest solutions):

1. Send us an email with the following information:

• The date you wish to move into the flat
• The date you wish to leave the flat
• Your full name

2. Once you receive a reply from us confirming that there is a room available for the dates you specified, pbay your $50 initial deposit into our account to secure your room in one of the volunteer flats (non-returnable). The name of the bank is SCOTIABANK and the account number is 793-0171483 (IBAN number etc to follow soon)

3. Complete the Volunteer Information Form (click here to download it) and email it to us.

4. Get the person writing your reference to email it directly to us at travellernottourist@gmail.com.

5. You will receive a confirmation email from us with the dates you have been booked into your room. Come to our office when you arrive (contact us if you require collection from the airport or bus station). Please bring:

1. A printed reference from a paid job or volunteer position, including contact information for the person who wrote the reference (email address essential)
2. A copy of your passport
3. $50 (Administration fee if not staying in the flats, initial deposit if you are)
4. Enthusiasm and a smile :-)

6. Pay the rest of your rent and deposit within the next 24 hours.

Before applying we ask that you read this document and we would also like you to see this page of Useful Words and Phrases and this General Tips and Info document. These all contain useful information so please do take the time to read them. Thanks.

Please note: The value of the US dollar is fluctuating a lot recently so rather than change our prices all the time we have frozen our exchange rate at 3.15 soles to the dollar.