Next Stop: Cusco, Peru (Childcare, Community Center/School Renovations)

I just booked my next trip that I am VERY excited about! On December 28, I will be flying to Cusco, Peru to volunteer for 2 weeks with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), a New Zealand-based organization with volunteer projects in more than 50 countries around the world. IVHQ prides itself on being a genuinely affordable opportunity to volunteer abroad with locally led projects on: Childcare, Teaching, Construction, Elderly Care, Women's Empowerment, Special Needs Care, Marine and Wildlife Conservation, Environmentalism, and NGO Support. This will be my first time volunteering with them, so I will let you all know how it turns out. No matter what, my goal is to make the most out of my experience and have a meaningful impact on at least one other soul while I am over there.

WHY AM I DOING THIS? Last year I participated in an amazing volunteer program to Cambodia with Habitat for Humanity, which ran through New Year's. It was incredibly moving to be surrounded by a group of amazing people that cared about the wellbeing of others, especially during the holiday season. It was so inspiring that I found myself in a search for similar programs during the same timeframe with the expectation of making it a new holiday tradition for myself.

Follow the link below for more information on Habitat for Humanity's Global Village initiative: https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/travel-and-build...

For more information on IVHQ, visit: https://www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-abroad-progr...

WHERE WILL I BE VOLUNTEERING AND WHAT WILL I BE DOING? I will be volunteering in Cusco and the surrounding valleys. During the first week, I will be participating in different projects and activities in the local area, such as coordinating the holiday party for underprivileged children and elderly, assisting in the daily life and work in an Andean village (farming, cooking and weaving), and renovating a local community center. During the second week, I will be working on a Childcare project providing individual attention and assistance to underprivileged children between the ages of 2-10 in the local community center, school and kindergarten (depending on the needs of the location). I'll essentially function as a big brother/preschool teacher/teacher providing basic English classes, assisting with homework, teaching the children about hygiene, and organizing games and activities.

***I will be staying with a local family in the vicinity of my projects.***

WHERE DOES YOUR DONATION GO? I have already paid the initial $299 registration fee. The remaining balance of $610 is for the program fee, which goes to the local team facilitating the projects. Once I reach my goal, please refrain from submitting donations. I already took care of my flight and only seek assistance for the program fee. Once those funds are raised, I am good to go. =)

If you are interested in donating coloring books, crayons, or anything left over from a previous trip, message me on Facebook. If a manageable amount, I'd be happy to link the donation up with the kids I will be assigned.

Please let me know if you have any questions and thanks so much for reading ALL OF THAT! =)

Thank you for your help in this next little adventure.