Support for older people and people with disabilities in Cusco

The project brings you into the everyday life of centres supporting older people or people with disabilities. You’ll join local staff in activities and practical support. A placement may focus on either group; before you confirm, we’ll discuss your preferences and check the available centre and activities against your background.

Everyday care and company are at the heart of your role. You might help organise a workshop, accompany an authorised walk, arrange materials or support staff at mealtimes. Activities fit people’s abilities, pace and wishes. Respectful relationships matter more than completing a task at any cost.

Healthcare eligibility guidance includes health sciences, pre-med and nursing students, with medical-school years 1–2 used as examples in the programme’s classification. These are not automatic equivalents between national courses. Your actual studies, training, skills and a suitable role are assessed individually. Applications are possible from age 18. A medical licence is not required for support tasks suited to your agreed background, but medicines, treatments, physiotherapy and clinical procedures need specific skills and authorisation and are not a general volunteer’s role. Share your training and experience before confirmation.

Some situations can be emotionally demanding. Bring discretion, consistency and a willingness to listen to local staff. Basic English is enough. Spanish is not required, but helpful. The centre’s coordinator remains a contact, without a continuous presence at your facility or a guarantee of working beside a doctor every day.

Life here extends beyond the project. Explore Cusco’s neighbourhoods and markets or meet fellow participants. At arrival, discover the local activities calendar: free salsa, cooking and Tandem sessions when scheduled, with events changing from week to week. Optional tours and excursions are arranged separately.

🏡 You’ll stay with a Peruvian family selected by the local team, possibly alongside other international participants. Standard rooms are shared; pairings and guest numbers depend on availability. Bathrooms are normally shared too.

Breakfast and dinner are included every day, including weekends. Shared meals and conversations when you get home offer a chance to get to know the family’s routines. Bedding, blankets, a towel, drinking water and hot water are provided. Wi-Fi isn’t always guaranteed.

If you have allergies or dietary needs, let us know before you travel so we can check the options with your host family. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available by prior arrangement. Laundry has a separate cost. You can use a local service or ask whether your host family offers it.

Prefer a different arrangement? The following can be requested, subject to availability and a separate quote:

• A private room with a host family, including breakfast and dinner. A private bathroom must be requested and confirmed separately.

• A participant residence for ages 18–26, with breakfast and dinner. Room and bathroom arrangements are confirmed in the quote.

• A three-star hotel, with a private room and bathroom and breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are separate.

• A furnished apartment, without meals, normally offered for four-week stays. Shorter stays need checking.

• A hostel, with a shared or private room and breakfast as specified in the quote. A private room doesn’t automatically include a private bathroom.

What about free time? The local team offers a monthly calendar with several free activities, giving you ways to try something new and meet fellow international participants. Events vary with the period.

For Spanish practice, join Tandem, a free exchange with a local person. You practise Spanish while they practise a language you know, according to available matches. Structured small-group or individual Spanish classes, from beginner to advanced, can be requested outside project hours with a separate quote.

There’s also time to explore Cusco’s museums, craft markets and historic places. For trips further afield, the team can advise on the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu or other parts of Peru, allowing for travel time and the days available.

🛡️ A local team representative welcomes you in Cusco. After booking confirmation, you receive the meeting point, how to recognise them and useful contacts, including emergency support.

Your host family is selected by the local team to welcome international participants. Learn the house rules and get to know your contacts as you settle in. Other guests depend on the dates.

During orientation, the team introduces the local context and practical guidance for getting around. You can ask for support during your stay and receive a 24-hour emergency contact. Follow the advice, use reliable transport and look after your phone, money and belongings, especially in busy places. Ask when something is unclear; support does not mean someone accompanies you continuously.

At the healthcare placement, only do agreed tasks suited to your training. Follow hygiene, confidentiality and staff guidance. Do not photograph patients or documents without appropriate authorisation. Clarify any doubt about your role before acting.

Applications are possible from age 18, subject to assessment of your background and activities. Eligibility guidance includes health sciences, pre-med and nursing, with medical-school years 1–2 given as examples of the programme’s healthcare classification. Years are not automatic equivalents across national courses: actual studies, training, skills and the placement are assessed individually. Task boundaries and any required professional authorisations still apply.

🧭 Before activities begin, you’ll meet the team and find out how the programme works. Your welcome information explains arrival arrangements and orientation, helping you settle in and understand your role.

Orientation includes:

• An introduction to your programme and assigned project.

• Guidance on activities, rules and your responsibilities.

• Practical advice on safety, transport and available services.

• Information about free-time activities.

• A Spanish level assessment to help arrange any optional lessons. Basic English is enough to participate; Spanish is not required, but helpful. Your healthcare background is assessed before confirmation.

On your first visit to the project, a team representative accompanies you, introduces the staff and explains your activities. They also show you the route between your accommodation and placement so you can travel independently afterwards. Depending on the distance, you may walk or use local transport. Daily transport costs are not included.

✈️ Your arrival airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco, code CUZ. Arrival is normally on Sunday, with the programme starting on Monday.

Pickup at Cusco airport is included. Once your travel is booked, send us the date, time, airline and number of your final flight into Cusco so the team can arrange your welcome.

After booking, you’ll receive the meeting point and operational contacts. If you can’t find your representative, stay at the agreed point and contact the team. Report flight changes or delays as soon as possible.

If you travel through Lima, arrange your connection to Cusco too: the domestic flight isn’t included. Check connections and baggage transfer with your airline, leaving enough time between flights.

Arrivals on other days and extra nights must be agreed beforehand. Additional nights and services depend on availability and cost extra.

📱 A practical tip: for internet from arrival, consider setting up an eSIM before travelling. You can explore Airalo options here.

Your return journey

The standard homestay ends on Saturday, with check-out by 11:00 and breakfast included. Other accommodation arrangements have their own confirmed check-out time.

For your return to the airport, allow for a separate travel cost. The team can help you arrange the journey. If you continue travelling in Peru, tell us in advance so we can coordinate your departure from the accommodation.