We started Volunteer in Peru, the volunteer program of the NGO IB Chillon, because we believed there was a better way to do volunteer travel.
Back in 2010, we noticed something that deeply concerned us: international volunteers were paying thousands of dollars to organizations based in Europe or the United States, while local communities in Cusco barely saw any of that money. Middlemen were making a profit. Communities were receiving crumbs. And volunteers, despite their good intentions, often arrived without proper guidance, placed in projects that didn’t genuinely need their support.
What if volunteer programs were run by a local Peruvian NGO, based in Cusco, with direct relationships with the communities it serves? No international intermediaries. No inflated prices. Just honest, meaningful connections between volunteers and communities that truly benefit from their involvement.
Today, Volunteer in Peru operates as part of IB Chillon, and is proudly integrated into My Peru Destinations, a Peruvian tourism corporation that shares our ethical values and commitment to responsible development. This structure allows us to combine the professional infrastructure and stability of a larger organization with the personal, community-focused approach that makes volunteering truly meaningful.
When you volunteer with us, you are not a number in a database overseas.
You are part of our Cusco family, working directly with local communities through a Peruvian NGO that believes in transparency, respect, and real impact.
2010: The Beginning A small group of Cusqueños with tourism backgrounds decided to create something new. We started with just two volunteer programs, teaching English and social work with children, and three host families willing to open their homes.
2012: Growing Roots Word spread. Volunteers returned home and told their friends. We added medical volunteering and our first construction project: rebuilding a classroom in a rural school outside Cusco.
2015: Joining Forces We became part of My Peru Destinations, gaining access to professional resources while maintaining our independence in how we run volunteer programs. This partnership allowed us to expand to the Sacred Valley and Cai Cay.
2018: 500 Volunteers We celebrated placing our 500th international volunteer. More importantly, we celebrated the relationships built: host families who had become like second parents to dozens of young people from around the world, community projects that had grown stronger year after year.
2020 to 2021: The Pause The pandemic hit Peru hard. We couldn’t receive volunteers, but we didn’t disappear. Our team supported local communities with food distribution and helped host families navigate difficult times.
2022: Coming Back Stronger We reopened with renewed energy and new programs, including psychology support and expanded wildlife conservation options. The volunteers who came during this period told us they felt the authenticity. They weren’t just tourists doing charity; they were genuinely needed.
Today We continue growing, but our core remains the same: real community impact, authentic cultural exchange, and the belief that when done right, volunteering transforms everyone involved.
To create meaningful connections between international volunteers and Peruvian communities, ensuring that every program delivers genuine impact for local people while providing volunteers with transformative experiences rooted in authentic cultural exchange.
We believe that volunteering should never be a one-way street. When it works, everyone grows. The child learning English gains a window to the world. The volunteer teaching that child gains perspective, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of what really matters. The host family sharing their home discovers that people from different countries aren’t so different after all. The community receiving support sees that strangers from far away genuinely care.
Our mission is to facilitate these exchanges in a way that respects everyone involved. We refuse to treat Peruvian communities as charity cases or photo opportunities. They are our partners, our neighbors, our friends. We refuse to treat volunteers as walking wallets or naive do-gooders. They are people with skills, energy, and genuine desire to contribute something meaningful.
We exist to prove that volunteer travel can be ethical, affordable, and truly beneficial. Too many organizations exploit the goodwill of young people wanting to make a difference, charging premium prices while delivering minimal impact. We choose a different path. Fair prices. Real programs. Actual relationships with the communities we serve.
Every volunteer who joins us becomes part of something larger than a two-week trip. They become part of an ongoing story of connection between Peru and the world, a story we’ve been writing since 2010 and plan to continue for many years to come.
Community First Every decision we make starts with one question: does this benefit the communities we serve? If a program doesn’t create real impact, we don’t offer it. We won’t place volunteers somewhere just to fill spots. Our community partners tell us what they need, and we listen.
Transparency No hidden fees. No surprise charges. No vague descriptions of where your money goes. We believe you deserve to know exactly what you’re paying for and how it supports local communities. When you ask us a question, you get a straight answer.
Authenticity We’re not interested in creating a sanitized, tourist-friendly version of Peru. We want you to experience real life here, the beauty and the challenges, the celebrations and the daily routines. That means homestays with actual Peruvian families, not volunteer guesthouses isolated from local life.
Respect For the communities we work with: we don’t treat them as props for volunteer photos or objects of charity. They’re our partners. For our volunteers: we respect your time, your investment, and your desire to make a difference. For Peru: we operate sustainably, minimizing our environmental footprint and promoting responsible tourism.
Flexibility Life doesn’t fit into rigid boxes, and neither should volunteering. We work with your schedule, adapt to your interests, and adjust when circumstances change. You’re an individual, not a package deal.
The Numbers Since 2010, we’ve placed over 500 international volunteers in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. But numbers only tell part of the story.
In Education Hundreds of children in rural schools have received English instruction they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Some of our former students are now in university, pursuing careers that require English proficiency. Teachers in partner schools have told us that consistent volunteer support has allowed them to offer programming they couldn’t staff on their own.
In Health Our medical volunteers have supported free health campaigns reaching families who live hours from the nearest clinic. They’ve assisted local healthcare workers, not replaced them, providing extra hands during busy periods and bringing fresh perspectives to community health challenges.
In Infrastructure Classrooms built. Community centers painted. Playgrounds constructed. These aren’t vanity projects. They’re direct responses to requests from community leaders who identified infrastructure needs.
In Animal Welfare Our street dog rescue program has provided veterinary care, sterilization, and rehoming for dogs that would otherwise suffer on Cusco’s streets. Volunteers have helped shift local attitudes toward animal welfare through education and example.
The Ripple Effect What we’re most proud of isn’t easily measured: the host families who have become ambassadors for cultural exchange, the community members who now see international volunteers as partners rather than outsiders, the former volunteers who return to Peru or pursue careers in international development.
Beyond Volunteering Our commitment to Cusco’s communities doesn’t stop when volunteers go home.
Host Family Support Program Our host families aren’t just providing a service. They’re opening their homes and lives. We ensure fair compensation, provide training on cross-cultural hosting, and maintain ongoing relationships that extend beyond any single volunteer placement.
Community Partnership Model We don’t parachute into communities with predetermined projects. Our partnerships develop over years. Community leaders identify needs. We work together to design programs that address those needs sustainably. When a project ends, the community has ownership, not dependency.
Local Employment Our entire Cusco team is Peruvian. We hire locally for every position we can. When volunteers spend money in Peru, on weekend trips, restaurants, souvenirs, we guide them toward local businesses rather than international chains.
Environmental Responsibility We encourage volunteers to minimize plastic use, participate in community clean-up initiatives, and travel responsibly. Our construction projects prioritize local, sustainable materials whenever possible.
Emergency Community Response When crises hit, whether the pandemic, natural disasters, or economic hardship, we mobilize. Our network of host families, community partners, and former volunteers allows us to respond quickly with food distribution, supply donations, and direct support to families in need.
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