Volunteer in Peru | Meaningful Programs in Cusco & Sacred Valley

General Description

The Young Mothers Shelter program supports one of Peru’s most vulnerable populations: pregnant teenagers and young single mothers (typically ages 13-25) who cannot safely remain with their families due to abuse, abandonment, extreme poverty, family rejection, or other crisis circumstances. This is emotionally intense, ethically complex work requiring exceptional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and understanding of trauma, gender dynamics, and reproductive health in Peruvian context.

Let’s be absolutely clear about what this program is and isn’t:

What this IS: Supporting an established Peruvian shelter that provides safe housing, prenatal/postnatal care, education, life skills training, psychological support, and transition planning for young mothers and pregnant teens facing crisis situations. You’ll assist with childcare for the mothers’ babies/toddlers, help with educational programs, provide emotional support, teach life skills, and contribute to creating a safe, nurturing environment where young mothers can stabilize their lives and plan their futures.

What this is NOT: Judging young mothers for their circumstances, imposing Western values about sexuality and reproduction, practicing social work or counseling without qualifications, becoming emotionally enmeshed with residents, or “saving” young mothers from their situations through your superior wisdom.

Critical context about young mothers in Peru:

Teenage pregnancy in Peru is significantly higher than in wealthy countries, driven by poverty, limited sex education, sexual abuse, machismo culture, restricted access to contraception, and gender inequality. Many young mothers at shelters have backgrounds including:

• Sexual abuse or assault (pregnancy resulting from rape or incest)
• Family rejection after becoming pregnant (kicked out by parents)
• Domestic violence from partners or family members
• Extreme poverty where family cannot support them and a baby
• Lack of education about reproduction and contraception
• Coercion or manipulation by older partners
• Child marriage or forced partnerships

These young women are dealing with massive life changes (pregnancy and motherhood) while often still being children themselves, while navigating trauma, family rejection, poverty, and uncertain futures. They need practical support, emotional stability, educational opportunities, and pathways to economic independence – not judgment, pity, or Western missionaries trying to “fix” them.

Your role as a volunteer:

You’re supporting permanent Peruvian staff (social workers, psychologists, nurses, childcare workers, educators) who provide professional services to residents. Your role includes:

• Childcare assistance: Helping care for residents’ babies and toddlers while mothers attend classes, medical appointments, counseling, or need respite
• Educational support: Assisting with literacy classes, high school completion programs, vocational training, or life skills workshops
• Life skills teaching: Contributing to programs on parenting, nutrition, budgeting, job skills, health education, or practical independence skills
• Emotional support: Providing consistent, boundaried presence and positive interaction for young mothers navigating difficult circumstances
• Household support: Helping with facility maintenance, meal preparation, laundry, and daily operations of communal living
• Recreational activities: Organizing activities, outings, celebrations, or programs that provide normalcy and joy

What you are NOT doing:

• Providing therapy or psychological counseling (staff psychologists handle this)
• Making decisions about residents’ lives, futures, or parenting
• Judging mothers for their circumstances or choices
• Imposing religious or cultural values about sexuality, reproduction, or motherhood
• Becoming a substitute family member or best friend to residents
• Providing financial support or making promises about ongoing help after you leave
• Taking babies home overnight or outside the facility
• Interfering with family reunification or transition planning

Age and Duration Requirements – STRICTLY ENFORCED:

Minimum Age: 20 years old. This is non-negotiable. Working with vulnerable young mothers and their babies requires maturity, emotional regulation, appropriate boundaries, and life experience that younger volunteers typically lack. Many residents are teenagers themselves – the power dynamic with volunteers close to their age creates problems. We prefer volunteers 20+ years old.

Minimum Duration: 2 weeks absolute minimum, 8+ weeks strongly preferred. Young mothers are building stability, trust, and support networks. Short-term volunteers who bond with residents then disappear recreate abandonment patterns many have already experienced. Four weeks allows consistent presence; eight+ weeks allows deeper trust and more meaningful support while maintaining appropriate boundaries about being temporary.

Background Check: MANDATORY. You must provide criminal background check showing no history of crimes against children, abuse, violence, or sexual offenses. This protects both the young mothers and their babies.

The work is emotionally heavy:

You’ll hear stories of abuse, rape, family rejection, violence, and trauma. You’ll work with teenage girls navigating motherhood while dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health impacts from what they’ve experienced. You’ll witness the effects of poverty, gender inequality, and lack of opportunity on young women’s lives.

Some residents will be resilient and positive despite circumstances. Others will struggle with depression, anger, or behavioral issues. Some will be grateful for support. Others will test boundaries or resist help. A few will have babies with serious health issues or disabilities. All of them deserve respect, dignity, and support regardless of their circumstances or attitudes.

Cultural sensitivity is crucial:

Peruvian culture around sexuality, reproduction, gender roles, and motherhood differs significantly from Western liberal contexts. You cannot impose your values. Young motherhood, while challenging, isn’t viewed with the same stigma as in some Western countries. Extended family involvement (even when complicated) is culturally important. Machismo culture affects women’s autonomy and choices. Catholic values influence attitudes about reproduction.

You’re working within Peruvian cultural context, supporting young mothers on their terms, not converting them to your worldview.

Gender considerations:

This program primarily serves women and is staffed mainly by women. Both male and female volunteers are accepted, but male volunteers work with additional supervision and boundaries appropriate for working with young mothers who may have experienced male violence. We discuss this during application and placement.

We operate as part of My Peru Destinations with local coordinators experienced in gender-sensitive programming and working with vulnerable populations. You have 24/7 support navigating challenges and strict oversight ensuring your work benefits residents rather than causing harm.

Daily Activities

Your daily activities at a young mothers shelter focus on supporting residents (typically 10-20 young mothers and their babies/toddlers) and assisting permanent staff with programs and facility operations.

Morning Routine (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM):

Some shelters want volunteer help with morning routines; others prefer you arrive later. If present for mornings:

Wake-up and Breakfast Assistance:

• Helping ensure residents and babies are up
• Assisting young mothers with babies’ morning care if needed
• Helping prepare and serve breakfast for 15-25 people (mothers and children)
• Supporting mothers learning infant care routines
• Cleaning up after breakfast
• General morning household tasks

Young mothers are responsible for their own babies’ care, but some (especially very young teens or new mothers) need support learning infant care basics. Your role is supportive, not taking over.

Morning Programs (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM):

Shelters typically run structured programming while you assist:

Childcare While Mothers Attend Programs:

The primary morning activity is caring for babies and toddlers while mothers participate in:

• Education classes (literacy, high school equivalency, vocational training)
• Counseling or therapy sessions
• Medical appointments (prenatal care for pregnant residents)
• Life skills workshops
• Job training or internship preparation

You’re in the childcare room/area with 5-15 babies and toddlers (ages newborn to 3 years) providing:

• Feeding bottles or meals
• Changing diapers constantly
• Supervising safe play
• Providing age-appropriate stimulation and interaction
• Comforting crying babies
• Managing naptime for younger infants
• Basic first aid for minor bumps and scrapes
• Cleaning and sanitizing toys and spaces

Childcare is physically demanding and emotionally taxing. Multiple babies need attention simultaneously. Toddlers have conflicts or meltdowns. You’re constantly alert to safety while providing nurturing care. This isn’t playing with cute babies for photos – this is real childcare work enabling mothers to access education and services.

Educational Program Assistance:

If not doing childcare, you might assist with educational programs:

• Helping with literacy instruction for mothers with limited education
• Tutoring in math, reading, or other subjects
• Assisting with high school completion coursework
• Supporting vocational training in skills like sewing, cooking, cosmetology, or office skills
• Teaching or co-teaching life skills workshops

Your role depends on your skills and Spanish level. Strong Spanish speakers can teach or tutor directly. Limited Spanish speakers assist with materials, small groups, or logistics.

Life Skills Workshops:

Contributing to or co-facilitating workshops on:

• Parenting skills: Infant care, child development, positive discipline, health and safety
• Nutrition: Preparing healthy meals on limited budgets, infant nutrition, meal planning
• Financial literacy: Budgeting, saving, understanding banking, avoiding predatory lending
• Health education: Reproductive health, contraception, STI prevention, self-care
• Job skills: Resume writing, interview skills, workplace expectations, professional behavior
• Personal development: Self-esteem, goal-setting, communication skills, assertiveness

These workshops empower young mothers with practical knowledge for independence and success.

Lunch (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM):

Communal lunch preparation and eating:

• Helping cook staff prepare meals for 20+ people
• Setting up dining area
• Serving food
• Supervising meals with toddlers (messy, chaotic, constant spills)
• Cleaning up after lunch
• Ensuring babies are fed appropriately

Mealtimes are family-style, community-building moments. You’re facilitating positive group dynamics while managing practical feeding challenges with many young children.

Afternoon Activities (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM):

Individual Support and Mentoring:

Afternoons often allow more individual interaction with residents:

• Talking with young mothers about their goals, challenges, and plans
• Providing emotional support for those struggling with depression, anxiety, or stress
• Helping residents problem-solve specific challenges
• Practicing job interview skills or other concrete preparation
• Working one-on-one with mothers on educational goals
• Simply being available for conversation and connection

These conversations require cultural sensitivity, good Spanish, and appropriate boundaries. You’re a supportive presence, not a therapist or best friend.

Childcare and Play:

Continued childcare while mothers have afternoon responsibilities or rest:

• Structured play activities with toddlers
• Reading books to children
• Outdoor play in safe areas
• Arts and crafts with older toddlers
• Songs and movement activities
• Free play supervision

Practical Life Skills Practice:

Hands-on practice of practical skills:

• Cooking lessons preparing meals together
• Teaching budget shopping at markets
• Practicing infant care techniques
• Learning sewing or other vocational skills
• Computer skills for job applications
• Professional communication practice

Household Maintenance:

Shelters are communal living spaces requiring constant upkeep:

• Laundry for residents and children (enormous amounts)
• Cleaning common areas, bathrooms, bedrooms
• Organizing donations of clothing, diapers, supplies
• Maintaining safe, clean living environment
• Helping with facility repairs or improvements
• Managing supplies and inventory

This unglamorous work is essential for facility functioning. Volunteers who avoid it in favor of only “meaningful” activities miss the point that clean, organized living spaces matter for residents’ dignity and wellbeing.

Evening (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM or later):

Some volunteers stay for evening routines:

Dinner Preparation and Cleanup:

• Helping prepare and serve evening meal
• Facilitating family-style dining
• Cleaning up afterwards
• Evening kitchen tasks

Evening Activities:

• Recreational programs like movie nights, games, or crafts
• Celebration of birthdays or achievements
• Evening childcare allowing mothers respite time
• Informal socializing and community building

Bedtime Routines:

• Helping mothers with babies’ bedtime routines if needed
• Ensuring quiet environment for sleep
• Supporting mothers learning to establish sleep routines for infants

Most volunteers don’t stay for full bedtime as this is private time for mothers and babies.

Weekend Activities:

Weekends often include:

• Special outings to Cusco parks or family-friendly events
• Extended workshops or programs
• Celebration activities building community
• Visits with families (some residents work toward reunification)
• Rest days for residents with minimal programming

The Emotional Reality:

Throughout all activities, you’re navigating:

• Young mothers’ complex emotions about their situations
• Grief over lost opportunities or family relationships
• Depression or anxiety requiring professional support (which staff provide)
• Residents testing whether you’re trustworthy or will abandon them
• Babies’ needs competing with mothers’ need for attention
• Your own emotional responses to their stories and circumstances
• Knowing you’re temporary while they need ongoing support
• Balancing care with boundaries

What You’re NOT Doing:

• Making decisions about residents’ lives or futures (staff and residents decide)
• Providing therapy or psychological counseling (psychologists do this)
• Judging residents for their circumstances, choices, or parenting
• Taking over infant care rather than supporting mothers’ competence
• Becoming a best friend or pseudo-family member
• Promising ongoing support or contact after leaving
• Imposing your values about sexuality, relationships, or life choices

Requirements

Young mothers shelter volunteering has strict requirements due to residents’ vulnerability and ethical complexity:

Minimum Age: 20 years old, preferably 23+.

Working with vulnerable young mothers requires emotional maturity, appropriate boundaries, and life experience younger volunteers typically lack. The age gap between volunteers and residents matters – many residents are teenagers themselves, and volunteers close to their age create complicated dynamics. We prefer volunteers with life experience and established adult identity.

Minimum Duration: 2 weeks ABSOLUTE MINIMUM, 8-12 weeks STRONGLY PREFERRED.

Non-negotiable for same reasons as orphanage work: residents are building stability and trust. Short-term volunteers who bond then leave recreate abandonment many have experienced. Four weeks allows consistent presence; eight+ weeks allows meaningful support while maintaining boundaries about temporariness.

Psychological Health and Emotional Maturity:

You must have:

• Good psychological health and emotional stability
• Ability to hear traumatic stories (rape, abuse, abandonment) without becoming overwhelmed
• Capacity to maintain professional boundaries while genuinely caring
• Emotional regulation when residents test boundaries or behave difficult
• Understanding that you cannot “save” or “fix” residents’ lives
• Ability to work supportively under staff supervision
• Self-awareness about your limitations and when you need help
• Processing skills for vicarious trauma and secondary stress

Active mental health issues, recent trauma, or emotional instability disqualify you. You cannot provide stable support while struggling with unaddressed psychological challenges.

Understanding of Gender, Trauma, and Reproductive Health:

Basic knowledge of:

• How trauma affects behavior and relationships
• Gender dynamics and machismo culture in Peru
• Why teenage pregnancy happens (poverty, abuse, lack of education/contraception)
• Reproductive health basics
• Infant care and child development
• Why judgment harms rather than helps
• Cultural differences around sexuality and motherhood

We provide training, but foundational understanding is expected.

Ability to Maintain Appropriate Boundaries:

Absolute commitment to:

• Not becoming emotionally enmeshed with specific residents
• Maintaining professional distance while still caring
• Following shelter rules about contact, gifts, relationships
• Never providing personal contact information
• Understanding residents need support from permanent staff, not temporary volunteers
• Respecting that residents are autonomous decision-makers about their own lives

Residents aren’t here to fulfill your emotional needs or validate your helping identity.

Spanish Language: Advanced Level Required.

You need strong Spanish to:

• Communicate about complex topics like trauma, parenting, goals, challenges
• Understand staff instructions about residents’ needs and protocols
• Navigate emotional conversations with sensitivity
• Teach life skills or educational content clearly
• Handle crisis situations in Spanish
• Coordinate with staff about concerns or issues

Intermediate minimum, advanced strongly preferred. These conversations require nuance that basic Spanish cannot provide.

Cultural Sensitivity and Non-Judgment:

Genuine commitment to:

• Respecting Peruvian cultural context around sexuality, reproduction, gender
• Not imposing Western values or judging residents
• Understanding that young motherhood isn’t inherently tragic or wrong
• Recognizing structural factors (poverty, gender inequality) create these situations
• Supporting residents’ autonomy and choices
• Learning from rather than teaching to Peruvian culture

Physical Capability:

Ability to:

• Lift babies and toddlers repeatedly
• Spend hours on your feet doing childcare and household work
• Handle physical demands of caring for multiple infants simultaneously
• Work at altitude while active
• Manage physical labor (cleaning, cooking, laundry)

Childcare is physically demanding work.

Flexibility and Adaptability:

Shelters for vulnerable populations are unpredictable:

• Crises arise unexpectedly
• Residents have difficult days requiring patience
• Plans change based on needs
• Resources are limited
• Communal living creates challenges
• Residents may be resistant, angry, or mistrustful

You must adapt gracefully.

Respect for Residents’ Dignity and Privacy:

Absolute commitment to:

• Protecting residents’ confidentiality
• Never sharing their stories or identities
• Not posting photos of residents or babies on social media
• Respecting their privacy and autonomy
• Treating them as capable adults, not helpless children
• Not discussing them as “case studies” or examples

Acceptance of Gender Dynamics:

If male volunteer: understanding you’ll have additional supervision and boundaries appropriate for working with young women who may have experienced male violence. Willingness to follow special protocols and accept that some activities may be female-staff-only.

No Savior Complex or Judgment:

Understanding that:

• These young women are resilient, capable people navigating difficult circumstances
• They’re not helpless victims needing rescue
• Their choices about relationships, sexuality, and life are theirs to make
• You’re supporting existing Peruvian services, not bringing superior Western solutions
• Many will succeed in creating good lives for themselves and their children

Vaccination Requirements:

• Current routine vaccinations
• Hepatitis B (you’re working with bodily fluids in infant care)
• Influenza (protecting babies and pregnant residents)
• COVID-19 per current recommendations

Mandatory Travel Insurance: Comprehensive coverage including medical care for potential exposures or injuries.

What’s Included

Our Young Mothers Shelter program includes comprehensive support for this ethically complex, emotionally demanding work:

Accommodation with Peruvian Homestay: Private bedroom with carefully vetted host family providing cultural immersion, Spanish practice, emotional support separate from work intensity, and respite space. All families personally selected for safety, cleanliness, welcome.

Volunteer house accommodation available as alternative.

Meals – Breakfast and Dinner: Included with homestay. Home-cooked Peruvian meals. Lunch varies by shelter – some provide volunteer lunch, others you bring packed lunch.

Airport Pickup: Team meets you at Cusco airport and transfers to accommodation.

Comprehensive Orientation Including Specialized Training:

General Cusco Orientation: City navigation, safety, culture, practical information.

Specialized Training on Working with Vulnerable Young Mothers:

• Gender dynamics and machismo culture in Peru
• Why teenage pregnancy happens – structural factors, not just individual choices
• Trauma-informed care principles
• Recognizing signs of depression, PTSD, abuse effects
• Appropriate boundaries with vulnerable populations
• Infant care basics and safety
• Confidentiality and privacy protection
• Cultural sensitivity around sexuality and reproduction
• How to support without judging

Shelter-Specific Orientation:

• Facility structure, residents (appropriate background), staff, protocols
• Rules about boundaries, contact, gifts, relationships
• Emergency protocols for crises
• Daily schedules and volunteer expectations
• Introduction to permanent staff
• Policies about social media, photography, confidentiality

Ethics in Vulnerable Population Work:

• Honest discussion of ethical complexities
• Power dynamics between volunteers and residents
• How to help rather than harm
• Attachment and abandonment concerns
• Respecting autonomy and dignity

Placement at Licensed Shelter: Matched appropriately to your skills, Spanish level, commitment duration. Clear information about facility, residents’ age ranges, babies’ ages, staff, expectations.

Supervision by Professional Staff: Working under oversight of social workers, psychologists, childcare professionals, nurses who manage shelter operations. Ongoing guidance, feedback, support.

24/7 Coordinator Support: Local team available around the clock for emergencies, concerns about residents’ welfare, emotional support for challenging situations, ethical dilemmas, any needs.

Regular Check-ins and Debriefing: Structured processing of difficult experiences, challenges, emotional wellbeing monitoring while doing demanding work.

Vicarious Trauma Support: Resources and support for managing emotional toll of working with trauma survivors, including debriefing protocols and professional support access if needed.

Certificate of Completion: Official documentation with dates, hours, work nature, evaluation. Useful for social work programs, education applications, personal records.

Pre-Departure Preparation:

• Information about working with vulnerable young mothers
• Gender and trauma education materials
• Cultural context about Peru
• Emotional preparation resources
• Self-care planning templates
• What to bring/not bring
• All questions answered

Background Check Processing Assistance: Guidance on obtaining required check from your home country.

Optional Add-Ons:

Spanish Classes: Available but less common due to shelter time demands. If combining, shorter sessions or weekend intensive may work better than daily morning classes.

Weekend Activities: Access to Machu Picchu trips and other destinations at volunteer rates on free weekends.

NOT Included:

• International flights
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Background check fees (vary by country)
• Lunches unless shelter provides
• Personal expenses
• Gifts for residents (policies regulate this)
• Weekend tourism
• Visa fees if applicable

Prices

Young mothers shelter program pricing is personalized based on duration and placement. Transparent quotes, no hidden fees.

How Pricing Works:

Contact us with:

• Preferred dates and duration (4 weeks minimum)
• Spanish proficiency
• Whether adding Spanish classes
• Relevant experience with childcare, trauma, or vulnerable populations
• Confirmation you understand requirements and ethical complexities

We respond within 24 hours with exact quote and comprehensive information.

Factors Affecting Price:

• Duration (longer stays have better per-week value)
• Spanish classes addition if desired
• Accommodation type

Payment Terms:

• NO application fees
• Background check processing fee (actual cost, varies)
• Full payment due 30 days before arrival

Price Transparency: Everything in “What’s Included” covered. No surprises except background check actual cost.

Extensions: Many volunteers extend as relationships deepen. Same rate structure. Give two weeks notice minimum.

For Specific Quote:

Email us or WhatsApp us with information and confirmation you’ve read and understand ethical requirements.

Contact for exact pricing.

FAQ

About Residents and Their Circumstances

How old are the residents? Typically 13-25 years old, with most being 15-20. Some are pregnant teenagers, others are young mothers with babies or toddlers. The youngest might still be children themselves dealing with pregnancy from abuse.

Why can’t they live with their families? Common reasons:

• Family rejection after pregnancy (kicked out by parents)
• Abuse or violence in home (physical, sexual, emotional)
• Extreme poverty where family cannot support them and baby
• Sexual assault/rape resulting in pregnancy
• Domestic violence from partners
• Parental substance abuse or incarceration
• Family homelessness or instability

Most would prefer to be with supportive families. Shelter is crisis intervention when that’s not safe or possible.

What happens to them after the shelter? Goals include:

• Family reunification when safe (with support services)
• Independent living with job skills and education
• Transitional housing with continued support
• Placement with extended family
• Connection to ongoing social services
• Adoption planning for babies in rare cases where mothers choose this

Shelters work toward sustainable independence, not indefinite institutional care.

Are they good mothers? This question reveals judgment. They’re young mothers learning parenting skills while navigating trauma, poverty, and limited support. Some excel at mothering despite circumstances. Others struggle. Like all parents, they’re doing their best with available resources and support.

Your role isn’t evaluating their mothering but supporting their development as parents.

What if I disagree with residents’ choices? Residents are autonomous decision-makers about their own lives. You may disagree with:

• Returning to abusive partners
• Having additional pregnancies
• Choices about babies’ fathers
• Life goals or priorities

You can share concerns respectfully with staff who provide counseling. You cannot control residents’ choices or impose your values. Respect their autonomy even when you disagree.

How much childcare will I actually do? Significant amount. Infant/toddler care while mothers attend programs is primary volunteer activity. Expect to spend 4-6 hours daily with babies and toddlers doing feeding, diapering, playing, comforting, supervising.

This is real childcare work, not playing with babies for fun.

What if I don’t have childcare experience? Training provided on infant care basics, safety, age-appropriate activities. Willingness to learn and natural comfort with children matters more than formal experience. You’ll develop skills quickly.

How do I handle residents’ trauma stories? With compassion, boundaries, and appropriate referral to professional staff:

• Listen without judgment when they share
• Don’t probe for details or ask trauma-focused questions
• Acknowledge their strength in surviving
• Refer to counselors/psychologists for processing trauma
• Don’t take on therapist role yourself
• Process your own reactions with supervisors

What if a resident is being abused by a partner? Report immediately to staff who have protocols for domestic violence situations. Don’t try to handle it yourself or confront alleged abuser. Staff work with Peruvian authorities on safety planning.

Can residents’ partners visit? Shelter policies vary. Some allow supervised visits; others restrict contact with abusive partners. Staff make these decisions based on safety assessments. You follow their determinations.

How do I maintain boundaries with residents close to my age?

• Remember you’re in professional helper role, not peer friendship
• Don’t share personal contact information
• Maintain consistent boundaries with all residents
• Refer personal problems to staff rather than becoming confidant
• Don’t socialize outside shelter or make plans for after your program
• Get supervision when boundaries feel unclear

What if I become very emotionally invested in specific residents? Common but requires careful management:

• Discuss with supervisors about maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Remember you’re temporary; staff are permanent support
• Don’t make promises about ongoing help
• Work with all residents, not just favorites
• Process your attachment with coordinators
• Prepare for appropriate closure before leaving

Is this work harder than other volunteer programs? Generally yes. Combining vulnerable residents (young mothers with trauma histories) with vulnerable babies creates high emotional intensity. Hearing abuse stories while caring for innocent infants affects people deeply.

Choose this only if genuinely prepared for emotional challenges.

Is sheltering young mothers actually helpful? For young mothers in genuine crisis situations (abuse, homelessness, extreme poverty), safe shelter with services can be life-changing, providing:

• Safety from violence or exploitation
• Prenatal and postnatal medical care
• Education they might not otherwise access
• Parenting skills training
• Path toward independence
• Psychological support for trauma

Long-term solutions involve preventing teenage pregnancy through education, contraception access, addressing poverty and gender inequality. Short-term reality involves supporting young mothers currently in crisis.

Aren’t I judging them by volunteering here? Potentially, if you approach with judgment. Not if you approach with:

• Recognition that structural factors (poverty, machismo, abuse, lack of education) create these situations
• Respect for their strength and resilience
• Support for their autonomy and choices
• Understanding that pregnancy/motherhood isn’t inherently tragic
• Focus on helping rather than judging

Your attitude matters enormously.

What about residents who keep returning to abusive partners? This is frustratingly common and reflects complex domestic violence dynamics:

• Economic dependency
• Lack of alternatives
• Cultural pressure to maintain relationships
• Trauma bonding
• Hope that partners will change
• Family pressure

Staff provide counseling on healthy relationships. Ultimately, residents make their own choices. You can disagree while still supporting them.

How does Peruvian culture affect young mothers’ situations? Significantly:

• Machismo culture normalizes male control over women
• Limited sex education and contraception access
• Sexual abuse often hidden and unreported
• Gender inequality limits women’s economic options
• Catholic values affect abortion access and attitudes
• Family honor concerns create shame around pregnancy
• Early partnerships and motherhood are more culturally normalized

Understanding cultural context prevents imposing Western judgments.

Can male volunteers do this work? Yes, with additional supervision and boundaries. Many residents have experienced male violence; male volunteers must be especially conscious of:

• Not being alone with residents
• Respecting that some activities are female-staff-only
• Being aware of power dynamics
• Following extra protocols protecting residents’ comfort and safety
• Understanding some residents may be uncomfortable with male presence

Discuss during application if you’re male volunteer interested in this program.

What difference can I make? Realistic impact:

• Providing childcare enabling mothers to access education and services
• Offering consistent support during crisis period
• Teaching practical skills for independence
• Modeling healthy adult behavior
• Creating positive experiences amid difficult circumstances
• Supporting mothers’ confidence and goals

You CANNOT:

• Fix all their problems
• Change structural poverty and gender inequality
• Guarantee their futures will be secure
• Be their permanent support system
• Make their decisions for them

How can I maximize positive impact?

• Stay as long as possible (8-12 weeks much better than 4)
• Maintain boundaries while genuinely caring
• Support and respect permanent staff
• Focus on skill-building and empowerment
• Listen to residents about what they need
• Work within systems rather than trying to revolutionize everything
• Financially support the shelter if able after leaving

Should I give residents money or buy them things? Follow shelter policies strictly. Generally:

• Don’t give money directly to residents
• Don’t buy individual gifts creating inequality or dependency
• Group donations (diapers, formula, supplies for everyone) coordinated with staff are better
• Don’t create relationships based on material support

Can I help residents after I leave? Shelter policies regulate this. Usually clean endings are healthier than ongoing contact creating dependency on temporary volunteers. Some limited contact (annual cards) might be permitted; many shelters prohibit it entirely.

Staff provide ongoing support; residents need to build sustainable networks, not depend on former volunteers.

Final Thoughts:

Young mothers shelter volunteering is emotionally intense, ethically complex work requiring maturity, boundaries, cultural humility, and genuine respect for residents’ dignity and autonomy. It’s not about saving helpless girls – it’s about supporting strong young women navigating incredibly difficult circumstances while building futures for themselves and their children.

Choose this program if:

• You can commit 2+ weeks minimum (8+ strongly preferred)
• You understand and respect the ethical complexities
• You can maintain boundaries while genuinely caring
• You’re prepared for significant emotional challenges
• You respect residents’ autonomy and choices
• You have no judgment about young motherhood or sexuality
• You’re comfortable with intensive infant/toddler care
• You prioritize residents’ needs over your volunteer experience

Choose differently if:

• You want shorter commitment
• You have judgments about “teenage mothers”
• You need emotional fulfillment from residents’ gratitude
• You can’t handle trauma stories and abuse histories
• You’re uncomfortable with babies or young children
• You want to “save” or “fix” residents
• You need to impose your values about sexuality or life choices

Contact us only after serious reflection on whether this work is appropriate for you.

Part of My Peru Destinations – committed to supporting vulnerable populations through ethical, respectful programming that prioritizes residents’ dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing over volunteer satisfaction.