We are excited that you are interested in volunteering with us! Though small, we are growing, and our volunteers are an important part of our operations. Many of our programs wouldn't be possible without their industrious contributions.
Awamaki typically hosts between 3 and 15 volunteers, but in the high season (May through August), we sometimes have up to 25 volunteers living in town and working in our different projects. The goals of the volunteer program are various. We aim to:
- provide much-needed services to the communities where we work, to further sustainable development locally
- inject energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas into our programs and our organization
- create and facilitate cross-cultural exchange, immersion and interaction that will equally benefit the volunteer and the people of the town
- educate volunteers about the issues facing the people of the developing world, and empower them to make a difference
- cultivate in our volunteers a lasting committment to making the world a better place
As an Awamaki volunteer, you will have the opportunity to connect with local people, get involved with a project you are passionate about, and learn a ton about development issues and the work required to overcome them.
If you are interested in volunteering or living in Peru (we request at least a one-month commitment), we strongly encourage you to get in touch. Long-term volunteers and interns who commit for six months or more are an essential part of our operations, and we offer them ample opportunity to take on significant program development responsibility, and to gain meaningful experience in social projects and development work. Not to mention, this is a great town - you won't want to leave!
Group volunteering
We do arrange short-term volunteer projects for groups of volunteers, like families and tourist and school groups. Email volunteer@awamaki.org for more information!
Where do volunteers live and work?
Ollantaytambo is a great town in which to live and volunteer. It is small but busy, located in the Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The tourist economy keeps residents busy and prosperous. Despite the tourists, however, the town maintains a strong sense of community and Andean identity. Spanish-speaking Ollantinos are friendly towards foreigners, maintain a strong family life, and enjoy frequent traditional and rowdy fiestas. The town is nestled amid towering mountains, and as it was an Inca administrative center, Ollanta is home to some of the most impressive Inca ruins in Peru, including the foundations of many of the existing buildings in town. The lives of Ollanta’s residents are closely connected to the two seasons – dry and rainy – and the land from which they earn their livelihoods. Nearly all of our volunteers live and work in Ollantaytambo, though some placements are in nearby communities, 10-25 minutes on public transportation. Most volunteers live in homestays, and some live in hostals around town. Some volunteers live and work in Patacancha, the indigenous community where we work. See our placements page for more information about living in an indigenous community.
Ok, what now?
Interested? Great! Please check out the rest of the volunteer page. Peruse Placements, absorb Accommodations, cast your eye over Costs. If you think we might be a good fit for you, get in touch! Email volunteer@awamaki.org and tell us about yourself. Please include the following information:
- Name, birthdate, sex (if you're comfortable sharing - this gives us a better idea who we're talking to)
- A brief summary of your interests, experience, skills - relevant or not! (because you never know...)
- What projects interest you (see the placement descriptions)
- For how long you want to volunteer
- When you want to volunteer
- Your level of Spanish ability
We will then send you an application and more in-depth information regarding who we are and what it's like to volunteer with us. We look forward to hearing from you!