The Social Work with Children program is one of our most rewarding and emotionally demanding volunteer placements in Peru. This isn’t typical classroom teaching or playing games for a few hours. This is working directly with children facing real challenges: poverty, family instability, limited educational opportunities, and sometimes trauma or neglect. You’ll be providing emotional support, educational assistance, mentorship, and simply consistent positive adult presence in the lives of kids who often lack stability.
Our social work placements operate across three locations: Cusco city, Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, and the rural community of Cai Cay. Each location serves different populations of children with varying needs. Cusco placements often work with children in community centers or after-school programs in working-class neighborhoods. Urubamba programs serve both urban and semi-rural populations in the Sacred Valley. Cai Cay focuses on rural Andean children with minimal access to educational enrichment or developmental support.
The children you’ll work with range from ages 4 to 14 typically, though sometimes older teenagers participate in programs. Many come from single-parent households, families struggling economically, or situations where parents work long hours leaving children unsupervised after school. Some children have experienced abuse, neglect, or family separation. Others simply lack resources and opportunities due to poverty. Your role is providing safe space, educational support, emotional care, and positive relationships.
This program requires emotional maturity, cultural sensitivity, patience, and genuine commitment to children’s wellbeing. You’re not just volunteering for resume experience or Instagram content. You’re becoming part of children’s lives during your time in Peru, and that responsibility matters. The impact can be profound both on the children you serve and on you personally, but only if you approach this work with appropriate seriousness and care.
We operate as part of the My Peru Destinations family of companies, meaning you have the backing of an established Peruvian organization with years of experience running volunteer programs. Our local Cusco-based team provides 24/7 support, comprehensive orientation, and ongoing guidance throughout your placement. You’re never alone in this challenging but meaningful work.
Your actual day-to-day activities in the Social Work with Children program vary by specific placement, season, and children’s needs, but here’s what typical days look like:
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): If you’re combining social work with Spanish classes, your mornings are language study. This combination is highly recommended because working with children requires communication skills, and Spanish immersion accelerates your learning dramatically. You’ll use Spanish constantly in the afternoon with kids, then study it formally in mornings, creating powerful learning cycle.
If you’re doing social work only without Spanish classes, morning activities might include program planning, preparing materials for afternoon activities, coordinating with supervisors about specific children’s needs, or helping with administrative tasks at the placement.
Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Return to your homestay or accommodation for lunch. Peruvian lunch is the main meal, and this break gives you time to eat, rest briefly, and prepare mentally for the afternoon’s work with children.
Afternoon Arrival (2:00 PM – 2:30 PM): Children arrive at the program after their school day. This is often chaotic energy as 15 to 30 kids show up excited, tired from school, hungry for snacks, and needing attention. You’ll help with arrival routines, greeting children, making sure everyone’s accounted for, and managing the transition from school to program.
Homework Help (2:30 PM – 4:00 PM): Most children need homework assistance. You’ll work one-on-one or in small groups helping with math problems, reading comprehension, writing assignments, and whatever their teachers assigned. This requires patience because you’re often explaining concepts in Spanish to children whose understanding varies widely, and some kids are much more motivated about homework than others.
Snack Time (4:00 PM – 4:30 PM): Providing healthy snacks is part of many programs because some children don’t eat adequately at home. You’ll help prepare and serve snacks, monitor to ensure everyone gets food, and use this time for informal conversation and relationship building.
Structured Activities (4:30 PM – 6:00 PM): This is where creativity and planning matter. You’ll run educational games, arts and crafts, sports, music, drama, storytelling, or whatever activities engage the children meaningfully. The best activities combine fun with developmental benefits: teaching cooperation, building confidence, developing new skills, or processing emotions through play.
Some days you’ll do life skills workshops: hygiene education, nutrition, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, or age-appropriate topics the children need. Other days focus on pure play and fun because children dealing with difficult home situations need joy and normalcy.
Individual Attention: Throughout the afternoon, you’re watching for children who seem withdrawn, upset, or struggling, and providing individual attention. This might be sitting quietly with a child who’s having a hard day, listening to a teenager talk about problems at home, or just giving extra encouragement to a kid who lacks confidence.
Cleanup and Departure (6:00 PM – 6:30 PM): Children help clean up materials and spaces before going home. You’ll ensure everyone leaves safely, sometimes walking younger children to where parents pick them up, and documenting any concerns to share with supervisors.
Evening Reflection: After children leave, you might debrief with staff about the day, discuss specific children’s needs, plan next day’s activities, or document observations for child welfare tracking if your placement does formal case management.
Weekends: Usually free, though some programs run Saturday morning sessions. You’ll use weekends for rest, exploring Peru, socializing with other volunteers, and preparing for the coming week.
The emotional labor of this work is significant. You’re managing behavior challenges, providing comfort to upset children, navigating conflicts between kids, and holding space for difficult stories and situations. Some days are joyful and rewarding. Other days are exhausting and heartbreaking. Both are part of authentic social work with children.
Social Work with Children has specific requirements because this work demands particular maturity, skills, and commitment:
Minimum Age: 18 years old. No exceptions. This work involves responsibility for children’s welfare and requires adult maturity. We’ve found that younger volunteers, regardless of good intentions, often lack the emotional regulation and perspective needed for this challenging work.
Minimum Duration: 1 weeks. We strongly recommend 2+ weeks if possible. Children need consistency and relationship continuity. Short-term volunteers who bond with kids then disappear after one week can create abandonment dynamics, especially for children who’ve already experienced instability. The longer you commit, the more meaningful impact you can have and the deeper relationships you’ll build.
Spanish Level: Basic to Intermediate. You need enough Spanish to communicate with children, understand instructions from supervisors, and handle situations that arise. Complete beginners will struggle severely because children can’t modify their Spanish for your learning curve, and miscommunication creates problems in childcare settings.
That said, immersion accelerates learning fast. Volunteers with basic Spanish who commit to studying improve dramatically through constant practice with kids. We highly recommend combining this program with Spanish classes for the most effective experience.
Background Check: Some placements require criminal background checks, especially those working with vulnerable children. We’ll guide you through obtaining these from your home country if needed.
Patience and Emotional Maturity: This isn’t a formal requirement we can verify, but it’s essential. Children test boundaries, some have behavioral challenges, and the work can be emotionally draining. You need genuine patience, ability to stay calm under stress, and emotional maturity to handle difficult situations professionally.
Cultural Sensitivity: Working with Peruvian children means respecting cultural differences in parenting styles, discipline, family structures, and childhood norms. Your cultural assumptions about how children should be raised don’t automatically apply. Open-mindedness and willingness to learn Peruvian perspectives is crucial.
Physical Energy: Working with children is physically demanding. You’ll be on your feet for hours, playing actively, bending down to child height constantly, and managing high-energy groups. Basic physical fitness and stamina matter.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Plans change constantly in social work. Children’s needs shift daily, situations arise unexpectedly, and you must adapt rather than rigidly sticking to plans. Volunteers who need predictability and structure often struggle with the fluid nature of this work.
Genuine Commitment to Children: This seems obvious, but we need to say it: you must actually care about children and their wellbeing, not just view them as props in your volunteer experience. Kids sense authentic care versus performative volunteering. Your motivation matters.
No Teaching Degree Required: While formal education backgrounds help, we don’t require teaching degrees or social work credentials. Enthusiasm, creativity, patience, and genuine care often matter more than formal training. We provide orientation and ongoing support to help you succeed.
Our Social Work with Children program is all-inclusive, providing everything you need for a successful volunteer experience in Peru:
Accommodation: You’ll stay with a carefully selected Peruvian host family in a private bedroom. Homestays provide cultural immersion, Spanish practice, and support system beyond just your volunteer work. We personally vet all host families, ensuring safe, clean, welcoming homes. Your host family becomes part of your Peru experience, often maintaining contact for years after your program ends.
Alternative accommodation in shared volunteer houses is available in some locations if you prefer more independence, though we generally recommend homestays for the deeper cultural experience.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner are included with homestay accommodation, featuring home-cooked Peruvian food. Lunch is typically on your own, either returning to your homestay or eating near your placement. This arrangement gives you flexibility while ensuring regular nutritious meals.
Airport Pickup: When you arrive at Cusco airport, our team meets you with a sign and provides direct transfer to your accommodation. No navigating unfamiliar airports alone or finding taxis in a new country.
Comprehensive Orientation: Your first days include full orientation covering Cusco safety, transportation, cultural norms, how to navigate daily life, your specific volunteer placement details, introduction to your supervisor, and all practical information you need. We show you around the city, answer questions, and ensure you’re comfortable before starting volunteer work.
Placement at Social Work Program: We match you to a specific children’s program based on your Spanish level, interests, duration, and which placements need volunteers when you arrive. You’ll receive clear information about your placement, expectations, schedule, and supervisors.
24/7 Local Support: Our Cusco-based team is available around the clock for emergencies, questions, concerns, or support. You have direct phone contact with coordinators who respond quickly. Unlike international volunteer organizations where support might be in different time zones, we’re here locally in Peru with you.
Certificate of Completion: Upon finishing your program, you receive official documentation of your volunteer work including dates, hours, activities, and evaluation. This certificate is useful for university credit, resume building, or personal records.
Pre-Departure Information: Before you leave home, you receive comprehensive packing lists, cultural preparation materials, practical information about Peru, and answers to all your questions. We prepare you thoroughly so you arrive confident and ready.
Optional Spanish Classes: You can add Spanish classes to any volunteer program. We highly recommend this combination for social work because language skills directly improve your effectiveness with children. Spanish instruction is available at all levels from complete beginner through advanced, with small group classes (maximum 6 students) or private one-on-one lessons.
Not Included: International flights, travel insurance (mandatory – you must have coverage), personal expenses, weekend trips and tourism activities, lunches, and visa fees if applicable to your nationality.
Our Social Work with Children program pricing is completely transparent and all-inclusive. We don’t hide fees, spring surprises, or charge separately for things that should be included. Everything you need is covered in one upfront price.
Personalized Pricing: Because every volunteer’s program is different – varying by duration, whether you add Spanish classes, accommodation preferences, and specific timing – we provide personalized quotes rather than one-size-fits-all pricing. Contact us with your dates, duration, and preferences, and we’ll give you an exact quote within 24 hours.
What Affects Price:
Payment Timing: We don’t require payment months in advance. Full payment is due 30 days before your arrival date, which means you’re not tying up money far ahead of time. We don’t charge application fees or upfront deposits for program reservation.
Price Includes Everything Listed Above: Accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, placement, support, and certificate. No hidden fees surprise you later.
Flexibility: If you extend your program while in Peru (which 85% of volunteers do because they love the experience), we apply the same rate structure to additional weeks. If you need to modify dates before arrival, we work with you to accommodate changes when possible.
Value Proposition: Our all-inclusive pricing means you know exactly what you’re spending upfront. Compare this to programs that charge separately for accommodation, meals, support, Spanish classes, and various fees – our transparent approach saves money and reduces stress.
For specific pricing for your situation, contact us at with your preferred dates, duration, and program details. We respond within 24 hours with personalized quote and answer any questions about costs.
Children’s Program Activities:
Volunteer-Child Interactions:
Facilities and Locations:
Cultural Immersion:
Before/After Transformations:
All photos would show volunteers and children with genuine emotions – joy, concentration, connection – avoiding staged “poverty porn” imagery or exploitative photos. Children’s faces would be obscured or shown only with proper permissions, respecting privacy and dignity.
Do I need social work experience or qualifications? No formal qualifications required. We welcome volunteers with social work or education backgrounds, but also accept volunteers with no prior experience who demonstrate maturity, cultural sensitivity, and genuine commitment to children. Enthusiasm and patience often matter more than credentials. We provide orientation and ongoing support to help you succeed regardless of background.
What age children will I work with? Typically ages 4 to 14, though this varies by specific placement. Some programs focus on younger children (4-8 years), others on older children and young teenagers (10-14 years). We’ll discuss your preferences and match you to appropriate placement, but be prepared to work with wide age ranges simultaneously.
How many children are in each program? Group sizes vary: Cusco placements might have 25-35 children, Urubamba programs usually 15-25, and rural Cai Cay typically 10-20. Smaller groups mean more individual attention possible but potentially less social dynamic. Larger groups mean more energy and variety but more challenging behavior management.
Can I choose my placement location? Yes! We place volunteers in Cusco, Urubamba, or Cai Cay based on your preferences, Spanish level, and program availability when you arrive. Each location offers different experience: Cusco is urban with diverse population, Urubamba balances town and rural access, Cai Cay is deeply rural and tranquil. We’ll discuss which fits your goals best.
What if I don’t speak Spanish well? Basic Spanish is minimum requirement – you need enough to communicate with children and understand supervisors. Complete beginners will struggle significantly. However, volunteers with basic Spanish who commit to studying improve incredibly fast through immersion. We highly recommend combining social work with Spanish classes for the most successful and enjoyable experience.
Is this emotionally difficult work? Yes, potentially very much so. You’ll work with children facing poverty, family instability, sometimes abuse or neglect. Some situations are heartbreaking, and you can’t fix every problem. This requires emotional maturity, ability to maintain boundaries while still caring deeply, and resilience. We provide support for processing difficult emotions, but you need to assess honestly whether you’re ready for emotionally challenging work.
What’s a typical daily schedule? If combining with Spanish classes: 9 AM-1 PM Spanish study, lunch break, 2-6:30 PM working with children. Without Spanish classes: mornings for program planning and preparation, 2-6:30 PM with children. Schedules vary slightly by placement. Weekends typically free.
Will I work alone or with other volunteers? Usually 2-4 volunteers work together at each placement, plus local Peruvian staff who supervise and provide continuity. You’re never solely responsible for all children, and experienced staff guide you. However, you’ll have individual responsibility for specific activities or children at times.
What challenges should I expect? Language barriers, cultural differences in childcare approaches, behavior management with large groups, limited resources, emotional heaviness of some children’s situations, and physical exhaustion from high-energy work. Also navigating balance between attachment to children and healthy boundaries, especially as your program end approaches.
Where will I live? Peruvian homestay is standard, providing private bedroom, breakfast and dinner, family immersion, and Spanish practice. Homestays are carefully vetted, safe, clean, and welcoming. Volunteer house accommodation available in some locations if you prefer more independence, though homestays offer richer cultural experience, or hotel.
Is this safe for solo female volunteers? Yes. We place many solo female volunteers in social work programs successfully. Standard safety precautions apply: awareness of surroundings, not walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, following local guidance. Working with children during daytime in supervised programs is very safe. Your homestay provides safe home base, and 24/7 local support means help is always available.
Does short-term volunteering actually help children? Honest answer: it depends entirely on quality of your engagement. Short-term volunteers (1-4 weeks) who provide quality homework help, engaging activities, and consistent positive presence do create benefit, especially in programs with good local staff continuity. However, longer commitments (6+ weeks) allow deeper relationships and more meaningful impact. The worst outcome is volunteers who bond intensely with vulnerable children then disappear after one week, creating abandonment dynamics.
How does this program ensure we’re helping not harming? We work only with established Peruvian-led programs that existed before international volunteers and will continue after. Volunteers supplement rather than replace local staff. We emphasize cultural humility, appropriate boundaries, and quality engagement over volunteer satisfaction. We provide honest orientation about challenges and impact limitations rather than savior narratives. And we carefully match volunteer skills and duration to placements where they can contribute meaningfully.
Can I volunteer with a friend or partner? Yes! We can place friends or couples together if you prefer, or in separate placements if you want independent experiences. Many volunteers come solo and meet other volunteers during orientation or Spanish classes, creating new friendships.
What if I want to switch programs after starting? Possible if there’s availability and it makes sense for your goals. However, we encourage commitment to your initial placement since children benefit from consistency. If genuine mismatch exists or circumstances change, we’ll work with you to find better fit. Communication with coordinators is key.
Ready to make meaningful difference in Peruvian children’s lives?
Social work with children isn’t easy volunteering. It’s emotionally challenging, requires patience and maturity, and demands genuine commitment beyond your own experience. But for volunteers who approach this work with humility, cultural sensitivity, and authentic care for children’s wellbeing, it’s among the most meaningful and transformative experiences possible in Peru.
The children you work with need consistent positive adult presence, educational support, and safe space to develop and heal. If you can provide that through quality engagement during your time in Peru, you’ll create impact that matters long after you leave.
Contact us to discuss whether Social Work with Children is right for you, get personalized program information, and start your journey toward meaningful volunteer work in Peru.
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