CARE Corps Abroad Peru

Location
Ayacucho, Peru

Peru is a country rich in culture, beauty, adventure and promise. Ayacucho, which is the capital of the Peruvian state of the same name, is a traditional Andean town where the native Quechua culture still thrives amid modern day life. As a CARE Corps Abroad participant, you will live in the heart of this scenic mountain town and share an unforgettable experience with the community and fellow volunteers.

Through our partnership with the Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer program you will live and volunteer in Ayacucho, high in the Andes mountains. During your trip, you'll travel deep into rural regions to see CARE's work firsthand and engage with people in local villages for an unforgettable learning experience.

In 1970, the Peruvian government invited CARE to help respond to an earthquake emergency. Today, CARE's work in Peru includes nutrition, agriculture, economic development, education, health and emergency response when needed. CARE projects in Peru benefit more than 1 million of the poorest people in the country -- more than 4% of the total population. All projects focus on making significant and sustainable improvements in the lives of project participants, which they can continue after CARE's involvement ends.

Please visit the CARE Peru profile and country office Web site (in Spanish) for more information about CARE's work in Peru.

Program dates
CARE Corps Abroad is a special two-week program that takes place four times a year as a component of the Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer program. New opportunities to participate in CARE Corps Abroad begin each quarter on the dates listed below:

2005 sessions
February 27 — March 12
May 22 — June 4
August 14 — August 27
November 6 — November 19

All programs begin on a Sunday. Participants must arrive in Ayacucho, Peru on the start date of the program.

Program costs

(© 2003 CARE/Shelby French)

The two-week program fee for CARE Corps Abroad sessions is $2,279. As part of a program operated by Cross-Cultural Solutions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, the program fee paid by CARE Corps Abroad participants is tax deductible. Included in the fee are all Ayacucho-based expenses: meals, lodging, professional staff guidance and supervision, orientation, travel medical insurance and daily transportation. International airfare (tax-deductible for U.S. residents), visa fees and personal internet and long-distance phone communications are not included. A non-refundable deposit of $275 is due upon registration and the balance is due 60 days before the program start date. Volunteers can also extend their stay in Peru with Cross-Cultural Solutions for additional costs.

We invite you to visit the Cross-Cultural Solutions "Ways To Fundraise" page for suggestions on raising funds to cover your CARE Corps Abroad expenses through grants, community organizations and small fund-raising events and activities.

Meals and lodging
CARE Corps Abroad participants live in the Cross-Cultural Solutions house located in near the center of Ayacucho. Typically, there will be two to four people per room. Accommodations are modest yet include standard beds, flush toilets, running water and electricity. Meals are simple and reflect the local cuisine with bottled or purified water available at all times. Vegetarian options are available upon request.

Passports, visa, airline tickets and health precautions
Once you have registered, you will be guided through the process of obtaining a visa and passport and offered direction to the most competitively priced travel agents. Staff is available to assist you with these matters and share printed information on each of these topics. Before you depart we advise you to obtain all of the recommended precautionary vaccinations. Moreover, in your pre-departure package and during orientation sessions you will receive advice on eating and drinking precautions you should take while abroad so you may enjoy your program in good health.

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