Hogar de Niños

About the place

A non-profit home, 15 years old, that takes in children referred by the Juvenile Court. 20 children and teenagers live there, with only 2 caregivers. They try to sustain themselves with what they produce: laying hens, guinea pigs, rabbits, a dairy cow and crops. They receive no government funding: they live on donations and volunteers’ help.

Why they need volunteers

The hardest part is covering food, health and school supplies, and preparing the kids to earn a living when they leave the home at 18: English, computing, a trade. They need psychologists, people who know farming and veterinary care, and above all volunteers to help with homework and run football workshops (one of their boys now plays in Cusco’s first division).

What you will help with

• Help with school homework
• English workshops
• Computing: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Football workshops
• Help in the kitchen and daily chores
• Animal care (vets welcome)
• Vegetable garden: growing fruit and vegetables
• Psychology for the children and their families
• Website and fundraising (marketing)
• Baking and pastry
• Trades: carpentry, hairdressing, plumbing, masonry

A typical day

During the school year you arrive at noon and spend the afternoon: lunch, homework, workshops and play until 17:00. In the holidays (January and February) it is in the morning. Tasks are assigned according to what the home needs that day and a staff member is always with you. If you run a workshop or are a professional, you agree your schedule with the director.

What we ask of you

Enjoy teaching, creativity, empathy, initiative and an eye for where help is needed. Lots of affection for the kids. You can choose your field if you have a specialty (veterinary, gardening, psychology, marketing…).

Getting there from the volunteer house

From the volunteer house take the bus to Oropesa’s main square (S/ 2) and then a mototaxi (S/ 3). Round trip: S/ 10 a day.