One year voluntary service in Peru

Hi :) My name is Ronja, I'm 18 years old and I would like to go to Peru in August to be a volunteer.

Let's start with a few things about myself: I've always been interested in other countries and learning languages has always been fun for me. I also love playing the piano and going to Thai Boxing. After my yearlong voluntary service in Peru, I want to study computer science or mathematics. The idea of a year abroad has been on my mind since my six-month student exchange in France, I definitely wanted to live abroad again for a certain time. Unlike travelling, a voluntary service gives me the opportunity to become a part of completely different society, to learn from the people there and to eventually feel at home. In addition, I've got Asperger's, and my time in Peru will help me to be able to lead an independent life later on. Social communication and unknown situations have always been uncomfortable and frightening for me, that's why I made the conscious decision to step into a totally different environment to learn and grow as much as possible.

But will I actually be doing in Peru? Well, my project is located in the capital of Peru, Lima. More precisely, it's in a socially and economically weak district of Lima where it takes care of children and teenager. It gives them a perspective by offering creative activities. The main focus is on music and I'll be giving piano lessons to the children. But there are also other artistic activites like pottery, handicraft or theater. On one hand, the children are given the opportunity to participate in meaningful activites; on the other hand, they get to be part of the project's community which cares for them and gives them the feeling of being important. Here's the link to the project's website (it's in German though): https://www.suesse-hoffnung-ev.de/index.php/projek...

To make my voluntary year abroad become reality, I need to collect donations of 3700€. The remaining costs (75%) will be paid by the German government. I'll be doing the voluntary service as a participant of a program initiated by the government and this program will pay for almost everything concerning insurance, flights, accommodation and food. The program is called "weltwärts" (https://www.weltwaerts.de/en/). It gives financial support to organisation sending volunteers abroad, like my organisation https://freunde-waldorf.de/en/. The participants of the government-funded program are asked to fundraise 3700€ instead of paying it themselves to make sure that everyone no matter which social background can join, but also to help spread the idea of a voluntary year abroad.

I'll be incredibly thankful to you if you support me! Even if it's only a small donation. You can also help me by just sharing the link of this page. For everyone who donates, there will be updates about my life in Lima on a regular basis (in form of a blog, probably). And also postcards of course :)

Thank you!