Volunteer with Kiya Survivors and Make a Difference among Children in Peru

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Sacred Valley of the Incas,  Urubamba,  Los Organos

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Start dates are very flexible throughout 2010

Description: Kiya Survivors is a UK-Peruvian charity operating in Peru building and running educational centres catering to young people with special-needs and those who have suffered abuse and abandonment. Kiya Survivors also offers support to young and violated women and families living in severe poverty.

Kiya Survivors was founded by Suzy Butler in 2001. Originally its aim was to support victims of the el Niño phenomenon on the north coast of Peru, where many of the local population had been left homeless and without support after a series of devastating natural disasters. It quickly extended its support to children and young people who have special needs after Suzy found a young autistic boy on the street, naked and unconscious after a violent attack..

Volunteer Program
We run basic, standard and full programs ranging from 4 weeks-6 months, beginning at various dates throughout the year, depending on the project.

New projects start all the time. There are lot of opportunities for individuals to make a real difference.

All volunteer programs include a 3-day training session before starting their program, either in Brighton, in the UK or in Lima, Peru if the participant is a non-UK resident. The training program includes:

* Accommodation
* Breakfast and lunch
* Teacher/therapist shadowing
* Experience hands-on at a special needs school
* Series of talks to help prepare you for your trip

Upon arrival at the training session, you will also be presented with a comprehensive training pack which provides essential information for the work you will be doing with the children in Peru. The training program activities includes:

* Meet other volunteers who will be on the program
* Learn more about Kiya Survivors
* Meet UK staff and past volunteers to ask questions and talk through any concerns
* Receive on-site training at the projects
* Be supervised throughout their program by one of our Coordinators

Our aim is to ensure that you feel secure, are fully prepared to get stuck in at the projects and make the most of your talents!

Whichever program you decide to join, we guarantee that you will be well looked after as part of a very special team. The work is demanding and is not always easy, but our volunteers still have an extremely rewarding, life changing experience! Remember, you will be making a real difference to these childrens lives!

Give a little, Change a life!

To apply for a volunteer placement, please contact us for more details.

Highlights:
* Volunteering with Kiya Survivors will offer you the opportunity to not only travel to Peru and see some of the most spectacular and stunning sites in the world, such as Machu Picchu, the lost Inca city, but will be a life-long rewarding experience, knowing that you have made a genuine 'hands on' difference to people's lives.

* The children and staff benefit extensively from interacting with volunteers and sharing ideas and knowledge.

* You're safe in the knowledge that the money you pay for your trip goes directly to the charity and not a penny is wasted.

* Kiya Survivors is a registered charity, not a volunteer organisation and only takes small groups of up to 16 volunteers at any one time, every volunteer is treated as unique and receive relevant training before embarking on their journey.

* You'll get one to one support throughout your application process and during your stay in Peru from one of the Kiya Coordinators.

* You'll make life long friends from the volunteer program, the staff and the kids.

Qualifications: Volunteers range in age, experience and background. For some placements, it is beneficial, although not essential, to have some experience with special-needs children, including those with autism, Down's syndrome, learning difficulties or behavioral problems.

It is also an advantage if volunteers speak basic Spanish or we can provide you with some basic Spanish lessons to get you started!.

Cost in US$: Between USD 1,325 and USD 5,217 (not including additional programme options)

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: You must have a passion for the cause, be friendly and willing to work hands on. The programme can be mentally demanding and challenging but incredibly rewarding.

Age Range: 18 upwards

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Kiya Survivors's Mission Statement: Kiya aims to offer special-needs children living in poverty, abused and abandoned children throughout Peru a proper education and the love and support they deserve.

Year Founded: 2001