Support Teacher in a Rural School in Peru

Overall rating: 9.3 based on 4 reviews

Program Description

We are looking for enthusiastic people with a passion for education to work at our school project in a rural region in the Andes in southern Peru, about 10 hours by bus from the city of Arequipa.

As a support teacher you will work alongside a local teacher at our partner school, Colegio Honofre Benavides in the town of Tomepampa, Cotahuasi Canyon. This is a state primary and secondary school with approximately 250 students, Tomepampa is in a beautiful location in the spectacular Cotahuasi canyon. However, this is a remote and underprivileged region, which is why volunteer support is really appreciated. We are working alongside the school to help students expand their options and become more active in their own communities. International teachers can also help to promote inter-cultural awareness and understanding.

Volunteer responsibilities include:
- Support in primary classes
- Support in secondary classes (particularly in English classes)
- After school English help
- Getting involved in mini projects as appropriate to the needs of the school and the community

We ask that those applying for the position of support teacher dedicate a minimum of one month. This is a fantastic opportunity to get teaching experience in a completely different cultural setting and to spend some time in a little-visited yet fascinating area of Peru.

Highlights

Working with the students and staff at Colegio Honofre Benavides is a very rewarding experience.
The school is located in an incredibly beautiful location 10 hours outside of Arequipa Peru.
It is a very peaceful area and there are many hikes and trips to go on when you are not teaching.
The opportunity is a great way to be fully immersed into traditional Peruvian culture.
This a also a great opportunity to improve Spanish fluency.

Qualifications

Desired skills: passion for education, Intermediate Spanish, English fluency and classroom experience.

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

Induction/Orientation on arrival
Volunteers Peru T-shirt
Escort to project and introduction into the school
Local Support and Program Supervision
Certificate of Participation
Reference upon completion and request

Other Programs From The Same Provider

Program Locations

Tomepampa, Peru

Overall rating 
9.3
Experience
10
Program Administration
8.5
Living Conditions
8.5
Cultural Immersion
10
Social Life
9
Health and Safety
9.5
Review This Program

Program Details

Provider:
Volunteers Peru
Location
  • Peru: Tomepampa
Terms:
Throughout the year
Program Duration:
1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months
Languages:
English, Spanish
Participants:
Worldwide
Cost:
One-off administration fee of $200
  • Dear applicants, we encourage you to leave a personal review if you have ever taken part in this program. Leaving a review will help fellow travelers to decide where to go and which program to go with as they plan their trip abroad.
    Review this program
    Making the decision to volunteer in Tomepampa was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was really nervous at first, as the location was quite remote and I wasn't sure my level of Spanish was quite ready for it. However, I shouldn't have been worried. The rural location of Tomepampa is precisely what gives it it's beauty and charm; you can't help but feel happy and peaceful when you are surrounded by such amazing scenery! The locals welcomed us warmly from day 1, frequently checking on us to make sure we were OK, and telling us all about the area. I found the project challenging, as keeping the attention of many excited Peruvian children a challenge, but their hearts are big and welcoming, so you can't help but love them. My Spanish improved an incredible amount t over this time, and the snapshot of their lives that I experienced gave me a taste of what life for these people is really like. I strongly encourage you to consider volunteering in Tomepampa, not just to see the sights or improve your language, but because doing so will completely immerse you in Peru and you will feel completely at home in this beautiful country.
    Avatar Jessica Clark

    Colegio Honofre Benavides Tomepampa

    Review by: Jessica Clark , On: 14 Sep 2016, Changed On: 14 Sep 2016 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    Making the decision to volunteer in Tomepampa was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was really nervous at first, as the location was quite remote and I wasn't sure my level of Spanish was quite ready for it. However, I shouldn't have been worried. The rural location of Tomepampa is precisely what gives it it's beauty and charm; you can't help but feel happy and peaceful when you are surrounded by such amazing scenery! The locals welcomed us warmly from day 1, frequently checking on us to make sure we were OK, and telling us all about the area. I found the project challenging, as keeping the attention of many excited Peruvian children a challenge, but their hearts are big and welcoming, so you can't help but love them. My Spanish improved an incredible amount t over this time, and the snapshot of their lives that I experienced gave me a taste of what life for these people is really like. I strongly encourage you to consider volunteering in Tomepampa, not just to see the sights or improve your language, but because doing so will completely immerse you in Peru and you will feel completely at home in this beautiful country.
    Overall rating 
    8.7
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    8
    Living Conditions
    8
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    8
    Health and Safety
    8
    So, working at Honofre Benavides School in Tomepampa was perhaps one of the coolest experiences of my life! This primary and secondary-level school is located in the Cotahuasi Canyon in southern Peru - a very remote portion of the country with breathtaking views at literally every turn. The spectacular hikes alone are worth the the time and energy that you'll put into this project (just see the pictures below). And be sure to have Volunteers Peru lay out the best spots for you to visit while you're there - they've seen all the best vistas! However, the greatest part of this experience for me was becoming part of the tiny community of Tomepampa. I never was able to find an official record of its population, but if I had to guess, I'd say there are probably less than 200 people living there - 200 of the friendliest, warmest people may ever meet. Whether passing down the block to the store or hopping a local bus to the hot springs, you're likely to be met with a smile and a ''Buen dia! Como estas?'' Many will proceed to ask you if their town is to your liking, and you may even find yourself invited to an upcoming festival (they celebrate a lot)! The students you teach at Honofre Benavides school will chat you up about what it's like to live in your country and will marvel at any pictures of your homeland that you're willing to share. They may even venture to speak English with you outside of school, which is the coolest thing ever! Living with Carmela and her kids at Casa Primavera and eating her stellar traditional cuisine is an added bonus. Her young sons, Miguel and Hector love to play and ask you all sorts of questions, so be sure to spend lots of time with them! They will love it, and it'll be time well spent, as there really isn't much to do on quiet nights in the canyon. This opportunity is really an incredible means to disconnect and get back to the basics of life - making meaningful connections with the people around you, learning from them and sharing your wisdom in return (in this case, the beauty of the English language)!
    Avatar Emilee Aument

    Colegio Honofre Benavides - Tomepampa

    Review by: Emilee Aument , On: 30 Apr 2016, Changed On: 30 Apr 2016 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    So, working at Honofre Benavides School in Tomepampa was perhaps one of the coolest experiences of my life! This primary and secondary-level school is located in the Cotahuasi Canyon in southern Peru - a very remote portion of the country with breathtaking views at literally every turn. The spectacular hikes alone are worth the the time and energy that you'll put into this project (just see the pictures below). And be sure to have Volunteers Peru lay out the best spots for you to visit while you're there - they've seen all the best vistas! However, the greatest part of this experience for me was becoming part of the tiny community of Tomepampa. I never was able to find an official record of its population, but if I had to guess, I'd say there are probably less than 200 people living there - 200 of the friendliest, warmest people may ever meet. Whether passing down the block to the store or hopping a local bus to the hot springs, you're likely to be met with a smile and a ''Buen dia! Como estas?'' Many will proceed to ask you if their town is to your liking, and you may even find yourself invited to an upcoming festival (they celebrate a lot)! The students you teach at Honofre Benavides school will chat you up about what it's like to live in your country and will marvel at any pictures of your homeland that you're willing to share. They may even venture to speak English with you outside of school, which is the coolest thing ever! Living with Carmela and her kids at Casa Primavera and eating her stellar traditional cuisine is an added bonus. Her young sons, Miguel and Hector love to play and ask you all sorts of questions, so be sure to spend lots of time with them! They will love it, and it'll be time well spent, as there really isn't much to do on quiet nights in the canyon. This opportunity is really an incredible means to disconnect and get back to the basics of life - making meaningful connections with the people around you, learning from them and sharing your wisdom in return (in this case, the beauty of the English language)!
    Overall rating 
    9.7
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    8
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10
    I spent two months in Tomepampa with Volunteers Peru last year and two weeks at their other project in Arequipa. Those two months in Tomepampa were amazing. Not only was working with children in primary and secondary schools a fun and rewarding experience but being able to live in the Cotahuasi Canyon without internet surrounded by another culture and a beautiful landscape (and lots of hiking) was an unforgettable experience. I helped teach ESL to students in primary school, assisted primary school teachers in the classroom as well as the English teacher in secondary school. One of the things I enjoyed most about my time in Tomepampa was how welcoming the local community was... The teachers and other school staff, the local store owners, Carmela and her children (who live in the Primavera hotel volunteers stay at) and other local townspeople were always trying to keep volunteers in the loop about what was going on in and around Tomepampa. The towns all have their own traditions and festivals and if you volunteer in Tomepampa you're bound to get to see at least one festival. The Cotahuasi Canyon doesn't have as much tourism as some of the other canyons in Peru like the Colca Canyon and that makes volunteering in Tomepampa a very cultural and unique experience.

    When it comes to working in Colegio Honofre Benavides the English teacher most volunteers work with in the secondary school is very nice and having a volunteer at the school to help her with her lessons helps improve the quality of the English teaching these students receive. Being 11 hours outside of Arequipa, Tomepampa is a rural town in Peru and does not see as many resources as other schools that aren't so isolated may see. As a volunteer you can work alongside Roxanna, the English teacher,and in primary school teaching English/assisting in the classroom. I have also heard of other volunteers helping out in science and math classes in secondary school so your options are endless with this volunteer project. You get what you put into it. If you want to experience another culture, practice your Spanish, help others, see incredible views on your hikes throughout the Andes on your days off, work in a school in rural Peru, this project is for you.

    If you are interested in the project and would like to speak with me feel free to ask Volunteers Peru for my email.

    -Erika
    Avatar Erika Amaya

    Unforgettable experience volunteering

    Review by: Erika Amaya , On: 09 Feb 2016, Changed On: 09 Feb 2016 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    I spent two months in Tomepampa with Volunteers Peru last year and two weeks at their other project in Arequipa. Those two months in Tomepampa were amazing. Not only was working with children in primary and secondary schools a fun and rewarding experience but being able to live in the Cotahuasi Canyon without internet surrounded by another culture and a beautiful landscape (and lots of hiking) was an unforgettable experience. I helped teach ESL to students in primary school, assisted primary school teachers in the classroom as well as the English teacher in secondary school. One of the things I enjoyed most about my time in Tomepampa was how welcoming the local community was... The teachers and other school staff, the local store owners, Carmela and her children (who live in the Primavera hotel volunteers stay at) and other local townspeople were always trying to keep volunteers in the loop about what was going on in and around Tomepampa. The towns all have their own traditions and festivals and if you volunteer in Tomepampa you're bound to get to see at least one festival. The Cotahuasi Canyon doesn't have as much tourism as some of the other canyons in Peru like the Colca Canyon and that makes volunteering in Tomepampa a very cultural and unique experience.

    When it comes to working in Colegio Honofre Benavides the English teacher most volunteers work with in the secondary school is very nice and having a volunteer at the school to help her with her lessons helps improve the quality of the English teaching these students receive. Being 11 hours outside of Arequipa, Tomepampa is a rural town in Peru and does not see as many resources as other schools that aren't so isolated may see. As a volunteer you can work alongside Roxanna, the English teacher,and in primary school teaching English/assisting in the classroom. I have also heard of other volunteers helping out in science and math classes in secondary school so your options are endless with this volunteer project. You get what you put into it. If you want to experience another culture, practice your Spanish, help others, see incredible views on your hikes throughout the Andes on your days off, work in a school in rural Peru, this project is for you.

    If you are interested in the project and would like to speak with me feel free to ask Volunteers Peru for my email.

    -Erika
    Overall rating 
    9
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    8
    Living Conditions
    6
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10
    I've spent 9 months traveling in South America and had the most amazing experiences but my month here tops them all. Cotahuasi is the deepest canyon in the world, a wonderful fertile valley deep in the Andes. The children are a delight, with no internet and not much television, they are full of energy and enthusiasm.

    The children are so active, playing football, volleyball or just running around with a wonderful joie de vivre that you rarely see in more "sophisticated" societies. I was there for the last day of term before Christmas and my favorite boys who also happened to be the cheekiest, were given the job of cleaning the desks. They carried them out onto the yard, and one of them hosed the desks, his schoolmates and nearly me too, but in such a goodnatured way that we were all just laughing.

    Every weekend we took a local bus high into the isolated communities and trekked in the most breathtaking scenery. The locals are mostly Indian and speak Quechua and wear colorful traditional costumes.

    There's nothing I wish I'd known beforehand, and the only suggestion I'd make about improving the program, would be closer liaison with the people who ran the hostel where the pupils from the outlying area stayed during the week.. They weren't always that keen to do extra classes, so we had to locate them then find something really fun to do, which usually involved a certain amount of running and being competitive!

    I would say the thing that affected me most was the life affirming attitude of these children.
    Avatar Jude Howells

    Experience of a lifetime

    Review by: Jude Howells , On: 13 Dec 2015, Changed On: 13 Dec 2015 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    I've spent 9 months traveling in South America and had the most amazing experiences but my month here tops them all. Cotahuasi is the deepest canyon in the world, a wonderful fertile valley deep in the Andes. The children are a delight, with no internet and not much television, they are full of energy and enthusiasm.

    The children are so active, playing football, volleyball or just running around with a wonderful joie de vivre that you rarely see in more "sophisticated" societies. I was there for the last day of term before Christmas and my favorite boys who also happened to be the cheekiest, were given the job of cleaning the desks. They carried them out onto the yard, and one of them hosed the desks, his schoolmates and nearly me too, but in such a goodnatured way that we were all just laughing.

    Every weekend we took a local bus high into the isolated communities and trekked in the most breathtaking scenery. The locals are mostly Indian and speak Quechua and wear colorful traditional costumes.

    There's nothing I wish I'd known beforehand, and the only suggestion I'd make about improving the program, would be closer liaison with the people who ran the hostel where the pupils from the outlying area stayed during the week.. They weren't always that keen to do extra classes, so we had to locate them then find something really fun to do, which usually involved a certain amount of running and being competitive!

    I would say the thing that affected me most was the life affirming attitude of these children.
    Overall rating 
    9.7
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    10
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    8
    Health and Safety
    10

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