Peru

Program Partner
Uniendo Manos Contra la Pobreza (the Peru Joining Hands Network)

Program Description

The current Peru YAVs for 2009-2010, from left to right: Joe Tobiason, Anna Gray, Sarah Terpstra, Debbie Horne (site coordinator), Alissa King, Ginna Irby and Sarah Chancellor. Photo used with permission. Volunteers are placed through the Uniendo Manos Contra la Pobreza, the Peru Joining Hands Network. The desire to address the root causes of pover­ty is what pulls the 12 Peruvian institutions in the Peru Joining Hands Network together. Each institution has its own work in different communities in Peru, but together they do advocacy in environmental justice, economic devel­opment and human rights.

Placement Opportunities
All sites will probably include some translation and teaching English. Here are examples of what volunteers may do during their year:

• Work alongside the Human Rights team in documenting human rights abuses, helping indigenous people make claims through the Truth and Reconciliation Law of 2001, and working with political prisoners to ensure they receive due process
• Work in education and children’s issues with a bi-lingual partner
• Work with sexually abused children in summer camps and in workshops during the school year
• Work in human rights and economic development with Afro-Peruvian women
• Work with four or five churches with their youth programs and work three days in Morning and Afternoon School Enrichment programs housed in the churches
• Work in local economic development issues
• Work in environmental justice campaigns focusing on Doe Run Peru and the Mantaro River Valley
• Work in graphic design and fair trade sales and education
• Work in community-based radio programming

Housing
Volunteers will live with a host family. In order to be part of the family and not a guest, a volunteer will jump in like other adult children, helping with dishes and other chores.

Intentional Community Aspects
Although each will be living at a different placement site, volunteers get to­gether six times throughout the year for sharing together, along with the site coordinator. There is a one-week retreat in February. In addition to this shar­ing, volunteers are expected to participate in a local church (any denomina­tion). Some of the site placements have a meditation or devotion period during the week.

Requirements
Age: 21-29
Education: College degree required
Other: A basic knowledge of the Spanish language is essential.

Site Coordinator
Debbie Horne

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