For those wanting a special and unique way to volunteer over Christmas, the Holiday Experience provides the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects and activities in the local community. The project was designed by our local team as an alternative to the standard projects which have frequent public holiday closures over the Christmas and New Year period.
Volunteers on the Holiday Experience project assist in a range of tasks, such as coordinating holiday parties for underprivileged children and the elderly, assisting in the daily life and work of a nearby Andean village (such as cooking, weaving, farming) and renovating a local community center. With such a range of tasks at hand, you’ll need to be open to contributing wherever your help is required.
This year, the Holiday Experience schedule is as follows:
WEEK 1:
Sunday – Arrival and Orientation
Monday, December 21 – Holiday Party
Christmas Party at a Working with Kids Project - show the kids a great time for the holiday! Celebrate by bringing gifts and food to the project.
Tuesday, December 22 – Eco-Environment Beautification Project / Planting Trees Rehabilitate the mountainside of Cusco with native foliage - transplant, relocate, and plant organic and local vegetation in previously destroyed areas.
Wednesday, December 23 – Construction Paint, garden, and work on light repairs and construction; work varies depending on what is needed in the community.
Thursday, December 24 – Healthcare Project Project with the Elderly and Special Needs - Provide talk therapy, a special holiday snack, or engage in other activities like dances and card games.
Friday – Christmas Day Public holiday, no placement work.
WEEK 2: Sunday – Arrival and Orientation (for new volunteers)
Monday, December 28 – Andean Immersion A day in the Life of Andean Immersion Help with weaving, farming, cooking, or other tasks in a rural Andean community.
Tuesday, December 29 – Community Dog Campaign Dog Care Campaign - Assist at a dog shelter providing baths, grooming, walking, and general care for the animals.
Wednesday, December 30 – Working with Kids Field Trip with Kids - Depending on weather, accompany kids to a local park to get fresh air and have a little holiday fun.
Thursday, December 31 – U.N.H.C.R. New Year Party Entertainment, food, and fun activities & fun for refugees from multiple countries seeking asylum.
Friday - New Years Day Public holiday, no placement work.
Please note, in 2020 this project is only available to volunteers who begin the weeks of 21st and 28th December - volunteers should arrive in the morning the day before your project starts.
The Holiday Experience project requires an extra cost of US$75 per week for additional supervision, materials and logistics involved. This will be included in the program fee quoted to you by IVHQ when you apply. Volunteers who continue on the program beyond these weeks will transfer to another volunteer project of their choice.
Apply now