I Volunteered Abroad in Peru!

For the first post of the year, I would like to look over how I chose to end 2019; I decided to leave my family and friend to volunteer in Peru for 5 weeks! My entire life I had spent Christmas with my family and loved ones. This time I celebrated the holidays at the top of Macchu Picchu with 13 strangers I had just met 3 days prior. Why you ask? Let me take you to the beginning...

For a long time, I dreamt of volunteering abroad to contribute to a world issue I am extremely passionate about. As we all know, poverty is a topic that trickles down to other specific issues such as homelessness, hunger, accessibility to good education, and overall quality of life. In my own community, I try my best to do my part by making continuous efforts to help make a difference.

During Christmas 2017, I fundraised over $500 to create care packages for the homeless in downtown Ottawa, it was a huge success! Following that event, I knew I wanted to continue making a contribution every year during the holidays. Thinking about my next step, I found a way to mix my love for travelling and my will to give back by planning a humanitarian trip to help the socioeconomic situation abroad. I had a big dream, now what?...

I did a lot of research to find a professional/credible organization that valued their work, and in my case I chose to go with IVHQ. Once I had made my decision, I planned my expenses and booked my flight. The next thing I knew I was on my way!

Childcare experience

During my first 2 weeks in Cusco, I volunteered in the childcare program located in a village called Uvima. Another volunteer and I worked at a kindergarten with 25 kids ranging from ages 3-5. Picture this: 25 kids, 1 teacher, little to no school supplies, no curriculum, the classroom is held in a garage of an abandoned building, and 1 bathroom with undrinkable water. Having to take all of this in on my first day was shocking, but what changed it all for me was when I met those kids for the first time. The first thing they wanted to do was play with us and show us that they knew how to count in English!

 I quickly understood that as awful as I perceived things to be, they didn’t know any better. This is all they knew and unfortunately for the majority, will be the only way of life they will ever know. It’s easy for us to say when you’re in a bad situation, you have the power to change it...what if you were born into a situation where all the odds are against you from the start? -- That question

was stuck with me throughout my entire trip and still saddens me to this day. What got me through the entire process was trying to make the time I had with them the best it could be.

Christmas Surprise

During my 2 weeks, I got to build relationships with amazing children and the teacher (Professor Julia) who had a heart of gold. Hard to pick a favourite when all of them were so precious, but one little girl stole my heart and her name was Sharit!  The timing was perfect as it was just before Christmas, so my fellow volunteer and I decided to surprise the entire class with gifts for each kid to take home. We also bought several new toys for the class to replace all the broken ones. This small amount of money spent meant the entire world to them. That was hands down the highlight of my entire trip. That day I will never forget and those faces I will forever remember!

Animal Care Experience

The following 2 weeks I spent volunteering at a zoo sanctuary. The team took in abused animals from the Amazon and animals who have been abused by humans. At the zoo, I experienced being around all different types of animals I had never seen before. I got to nourish, clean, and take care of animals such as alpacas, monkeys, pumas, foxes, condors, wild birds, etc...Scary? At first, but once you start showing them love (and giving them food), the animals started gravitating toward you.

This program was extremely different from the previous one because it was extremely labor-intensive. On a daily, I had to transfer the animals from indoor areas to their outdoor cages, prep the food for all of the 112 animals, and make hourly rounds to ensure the zoo is cleaned up to standard. Working hard had its benefits though, getting to play, cuddle, and spend time with such creatures was definitely an experience I will always remember.

Coming home

Many people asked if I was sad to go home, and my answer to that was always: “No, I am excited that I have a great life to go home to”. Unfortunately, I had met people, who contrary to me, came on a trip to escape their own lives. On the bright side, what we experienced together will forever be engraved in our souls. We will have stories to share for years to come. Unless you have done it yourself, you will never fully understand the feeling of leaving behind a very comfortable life, to immerse yourself in an unfamiliar world. I wouldn’t agree that travelling solo is for everyone, but the reward is always worth the risk.

5 THINGS TO REMEMBER IF YOU PLAN TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD

1. Do your research THOROUGHLY

2. Planning is key

3. Open your heart and your mind

4. Do not take offence

5. Go with the flow, not everything will go your way

° ° °

What countries do you dream of volunteering in?

↓ Let me know in the comments below ↓