For details about Voluntary Work in Peru click here

Andean Travel Web Community Projects

Many visitors to Peru are surprised by the genuine warmth and kindness offered by many local people during their visit. This applies not just to the staff working in the hotels and tour companies but also the locals you'll meet in the street, the market traders and the porters on treks.  It is understandable that many visitors want to show their gratitude and would like to help give something back in some small way. Since our web site now attracts a considerable number of visitors we felt that we could help some of the people living in the more needy communities in Peru, many of whom aren't yet sharing in the financial benefits brought by tourism.

1. Education: Donations and Distribution of School Equipment

Another simple project aimed particularly at school teachers and school groups visiting Peru. Individuals may be interested in bringing along a few items of school equipment such as books, pencils, pens, crayons, paints and paper which we will distribute to several schools in the villages surrounding Cusco and further a field. With time we hope to build up a good relationship with some of the more under-resourced schools and provide prizes for the best painting/picture or student. Individuals or companies can sponsor a prize or trophy.

2. Second Hand Clothes & Toys Appeal

This is a simple project and easy to participate in. If you are coming to Peru please bring a few items of clothing or toys and drop them off in our office in Cusco (only 2 minute walk from the main square). We'll ensure that they are distributed to people who will really appreciate them. All types of clothing are needed for babies, children and adults. If at the end of your trip you no longer have need for your sleeping bag, rain jacket or walking boots we'll find a trekking porter who will be more than happy to accept them. More details  

3. Tourist Development in Rural Communities - Staying with local Quechua families.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism which aims to include local communities. The local people should receive a fair share of the benefits/profits. Andean Travel Web is working together with several families in the village of Chinchero about 40 minutes by bus from Cusco. For visitors wanting to escape mainstream tourism they can spend a night with a host family and learn about local life and culture. These trips aren't for everybody. Accommodation is very basic, sometimes there isn't even running water. However the families are warm and friendly and you'll feel better knowing that your visit is genuinely helping your hosts. We can arrange departures any day of the week but we recommend staying Saturday night so that you can enjoy the traditional Sunday morning market before returning to Cusco. More details.

Distributions Undertaken to Date

In 2008 we plan to undertake school equipment donations in the regions of Ausangate, San Salvador and Paucartambo. Donations will be carried our at the beginning of the academic year during the months of April, May & June. We hope to provide a school pack to at least 2000 children. Each school pack contain an exercise book, plastic folder, 2 pencils, eraser, ruler, coloured pencils or crayons, pencil sharpener (value approx US$4 per child) plus paper, educational games and sports equipment for the school.  In July & August we hope to be able to be able to donate at least 10 computers to 2 schools. We will also include teacher training and secure storage for the computers.

Planned distributions 2008:

May: Lauramarca (Ausangate), Rodeana (Ausangate), Andamayo (Ausangate), Pucarumi (Ausangate), Cconamuro (Ausangate), Ccollca (Ausangate), Pampacancha (Ausangate), Chaupimayo (Ausangate), Upis (Ausangate),

June: Sallicancha (Ausangate), Accocuna (Ausangate), Patapallpa Alta (Ausangate), Patapallpa Baja (Ausangate), Marampaqui (Ausangate), Pampallacta (Pisac), Tinqui (Ausangate)

Notes:

(1) School Equipment donation. Unless otherwise noted approximately 90% of school equipment has been donated by Peru Treks. The other 10% has been donated by visitors to the Andean Travel Web office.

(2) Clothing donations: Unless otherwise noted all clothing has been donated by visitors to the Andean Travel Web office.

(3) All distribution, transport and staff costs paid for by Peru Treks

Distributions 2006

Distributions 2005

Distributions 2004

Distributions 2003

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Andean Travel Web Guide to Peru  www.andeantravelweb.com/peru

Office Address: Calle Garcilaso 265, interior patio 2nd floor, Cusco, Peru (just 2 minutes walk from the main Plaza de Armas). If you are coming to Cusco please bring a couple of second hand clothes, toys, school equipment and drop them off in our office. We will help distribute the items to people who really need them in small village schools and communities in the Andes. For more details visit our web page www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/projects  A map of our office can be found by clicking here.

Copyright Andean Travel Web 2000-2007. All material used within this web site is original work and is subject to international copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the editor. This web page was last updated in October 2007