Education in Peru.

In Peru there is much social inequality especially when it comes to availability of quality education. The state does a reasonable job of creating infrastructure even in remote regions, they employ dedicated teachers some of which can give a great education to the children; there are others vastly underfunded where the quality is a lottery. There are many private schools within the cities with mixed methodologies and success, our own position is that of a small private preschool within Cusco city with the mission to provide a better education for the children around us.

Our Objective

The nature of all things is to grow. Our current location near the historic center of Cusco is a small rented property of 250 m², which represents a quarter of our monthly revenue. Paying teacher salaries and other bills leaves very little margin to acquire a suitable property in the area. Without a million dollars or a lifetime to pay for it, our preschool needs to grow elsewhere, and that place is the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We are actively seeking to acquire land in a small town called Yucay, where prices are more affordable and we can appreciate the rich historical and ancestral roots of the Inca and pre-Columbian civilizations. Our goal is to establish a staged school, with early childhood, primary, and secondary levels. As soon as the location is confirmed, we can begin constructing the first classrooms. As a small private institution, we are trying to carry out this project on our own initiative; however, we know there are many people around the world willing to share their goodwill and expertise, so we are now asking for support from the community and volunteers to launch the project and begin a truly meaningful educational program for as many children as possible as soon as possible. Our goal is to create a sustainable private educational center, where children from higher-income families pay tuition to cover our fixed monthly costs, including land and teacher salaries. Once these costs are covered, we can offer scholarships of up to 100% to local children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to access a modern education.

Our Original Volunteer

James came to Peru from the UK in 2013 with the desire to support underprivileged children in Cusco. With no previous volunteer experience and without speaking Spanish, he booked through a UK-registered charity that offered various volunteer programs abroad. This gave him a sense of security when arriving for the first time in an unknown part of Latin America with the goal of performing charitable work. He made a four-figure donation in GBP as requested by the NGO for the two months he would volunteer. The amount was intended primarily as a contribution to the educational program he would assist with, and also to cover accommodation. James enjoyed teaching English to the children and learning Spanish at the same time. However, the experience ended bitterly when he discovered that the program was not receiving the funds. The teachers informed him they needed a few hundred soles to rent another room, raising the question of how thousands of pounds had been sent but never reached the educational program. To add insult to injury, many other volunteers were there at the same time, all of whom had paid their donations. Unfortunately, this is the reality with several NGOs, where the organizer benefits personally rather than the program the volunteer believed they were supporting. In 2014, James moved to Peru permanently to focus on the Pequeñas Semillas project. He is our jack-of-all-trades, taking charge of everything from writing English books to accounting, welding, fixing pipes, and creating new toys and educational materials.

A New Volunteer Program

At Pequeñas Semillas, we have already welcomed many volunteers through an external NGO, which also left us disappointed. That’s why we are launching our own 100% transparent volunteer program! Volunteers usually enjoy their experience and leave positive reviews about the NGO, trusting that their money went to the intended cause, and few question or verify this. The lack of clarity regarding NGO financial flows makes it difficult for volunteers, donors, and public institutions to see measurable results and the impact of monetary donations. Since, when you don’t like how things are done, it’s time to be the change you wish to see in the world, we have created our own volunteer program. If you feel inspired to volunteer and are passionate about helping others reach a level of life that brings freedom, happiness, and fulfilment, keep reading.

Volunteer in Cusco

You can participate in our Cusco preschool today! Our volunteers join in the day-to-day life of the children, giving them the opportunity to interact with people from abroad who share their experience, enthusiasm, and creativity. Volunteers can teach English classes, lead a workshop of their choice, or participate in art and sports activities. There are also many traditional events throughout the year that volunteers love to experience. We will share with you the real life of a local in Cusco, guiding you on where to visit, eat, shop, and more. We ask volunteers for a small donation of 600 Soles (€150), payable by bank transfer or VISA. This contribution helps support our running expenses and maintenance costs. The stay can be extended by prior arrangement. For each additional week, only accommodation and living expenses will be charged, to be paid directly by the volunteer.

Volunteer in Yucay

Coming soon: what every volunteer truly wants to do—build a school to benefit a small Peruvian community. Our volunteers will help construct the school’s physical infrastructure from the ground up. Once we have a roof over our heads, we will begin teaching—everyone is welcome to participate, just as they do in our Cusco preschool. We ask volunteers for a small donation of 600 Soles (€150), payable by bank transfer or VISA, as a contribution to cover our operating and maintenance costs. Stays can be extended by prior arrangement; for each additional week, only accommodation and living expenses will be charged, to be paid directly by the volunteer. We strive to take a step forward and change the rules of the game when it comes to educational charitable causes in Peru. Through transparent progress reports and impact evaluations, we continue to develop the project with the full trust of volunteers, donors, and fundraisers. Many Latin American NGO volunteer programs manage significant financial and logistical resources but offer little in terms of effective development cooperation. Contact us to learn more about our project portfolio. If you wish to collaborate in any way, do not hesitate to reach out.

🌿 Who Can Volunteer?

We welcome volunteers who are:

Responsible, empathetic, and patient
Over 18 years old or accompanied by a parent
Interested in early childhood education, Montessori, Waldorf, nature-based learning, or bilingual education
Comfortable working with children ages 1.5–5
Spanish or English speakers (Quechua is a plus!)

We accept:

Students completing a practicum
Teachers-in-training
Professionals in psychology, arts, music, or physical education
International volunteers seeking cultural exchange

❤️ What You Gain

Experience in bilingual and intercultural early childhood education
Immersion in Peruvian culture (and possibly Quechua)
Learning opportunities within a community-centered school in the Sacred Valley
A chance to make a real impact in the lives of young children

We provide:

Airport pickup and a welcome orientation
Guidance and mentorship
2 days off per week (free time to explore the city and archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu, Saqsayhuamán, etc.)
Materials related to volunteer activities
A certificate of volunteering (if needed)

🏡 Accommodation & Logistics

We support volunteers with:

Local accommodation recommendations (Cusco / Sacred Valley)
Advice on transportation, safety, and life in the region
Letters for visa extensions if needed

Current Rates:

Accommodation + breakfast:

1 week: 700 soles (€180)
2 weeks: 1400 soles (€360)

Accommodation + breakfast and lunch:

1 week: 780 soles (€200)
2 weeks: 1560 soles (€400)

We reserve the right to adjust prices if the accommodation provider changes their rates.

🗓️ When Can You Volunteer?

Our school calendar runs from March to December.
Volunteers can join for a minimum of 1 week and up to several months.

✈️ How to Apply

To apply, please send us:

Your CV
A short motivation letter
Your preferred dates
Any relevant skills (art, music, languages, psychology, etc.)

📩 Email: [add your email]
📱 WhatsApp: [your number]
📍 Location: Cusco / Sacred Valley

❌ Not Included:

Airfare, travel insurance, visa, vaccinations, excursions/tourism, and personal expenses such as additional food or any other items not listed above.

VOLUNTEER TERMS & CONDITIONS

Make the initial contribution via bank transfer or VISA payment link.
Once completed, we will send you the documentation to sign.
Sign the Participation Agreement, Liability Waiver, and Data Protection Declaration.
If you have any questions or doubts regarding your eligibility or requirements related to your volunteer work, you can contact us via video call or WhatsApp.
- Phone: +51 985 26 22 88
If your flight is specifically booked for this mission, we recommend that you only reserve it once everything is clear and suitable.

VOLUNTEER DONATION REFUND POLICY
The 600 Soles (€150) is a non-refundable donation intended to support the continuity of our projects. It is considered a donation, and we ask that you understand we cannot return this contribution. We greatly appreciate your understanding and generosity.

Volunteering