Teach Huaraz Peru Don't be just a tourist... get involved!

Enclosed are a few comments from some of our past volunteers. References about Teach Huaraz Peru from previous volunteers are available upon request.

I think the most unique thing about Teach Huaraz Peru is how very personalized it is. During my 6-week stay in Huaraz, I mentioned to Luis that I could teach computers as well as English. The next thing I knew, I was teaching a week-long web programming class and redesigning the THP website. Both were great experiences! Later I mentioned to Luis that I wanted to learn to spin wool, so his mother-in-law stopped by the house to teach me. Fantastic!

In addition to teaching computers and working on the website, I taught English at a nearby secondary school and participated in many of the fantastic outdoor activities that Huaraz has to offer (rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, trekking, lounging in hot springs...). Huaraz is a true outdoors paradise, and the balance of living with the Delgados, teaching, and playing in the mountains on weekends was just perfect for me. Perhaps it'll be perfect for you too!

Caroline
USA

I volunteered with Teach Huaraz Peru for 6 weeks in September/October 2008 and thoroughly enjoyed my time. I found the organization to be professional, well organized and easily able to create a placement program that suited my requests. I volunteered with 3 different classes at the Universidad Nacional Santiago Antunez de Mayolo and with all grades at the secondary school Alfred Nobel de Carhuaz. The uni students were really enthusiastic and so excited to work with a native English speaker and the secondary students were such fun with oodles of energy and personality that made acting in particular a delight in the classroom! I also had the pleasure of doing some voluntary work behind the scenes with Teach Huaraz Peru, completing a full review and update of the website content to better reflect the range of opportunities and experiences available through this unique organization.

I lived with Luis Delgado and his family and was truly welcomed into their home. I felt privileged to really experience Peruvian life and found the whole family to be so supportive during my stay.

I was rather ignorant about all there is to see and do around Huaraz before I arrived but soon found myself filling weekends with a myriad of outdoor activities in the Cordillera Blanco, visits to a number of historical sights and regular swims in the beautiful hot springs of Monterrey.

My whole experience of volunteering in Huaraz was really enjoyable and rewarding and I would recommend this organization to any prospective volunteer.

Maree
Australia

I enjoyed a fantastic 4 weeks in Huaraz. I decided to spend my time with the children of INABIF. The staff and particularly the children were very friendly and helpful. I had just enough Spanish to survive the onslaught of questions and avoid some of the talk that obviously went on about me! Although after 4 weeks I had learnt a lot more. It is possible to work with all ages at INABIF and teach English games, make food and even be a climbing frame! I stayed with the Delgado family who really made it easy for me to become part of the family. Special mention must go to Haydee though for her delicious cooking! My time in Huaraz will stay with me forever I think, and I am pretty sure will contribute to shaping what I want to do in the future.

Dave
England

The Delgado family really made me feel like part of the family; their kindness made Peru feel like home. I enjoyed my time at Santa Rosa school – the children were so affectionate and eager to learn. And I hope they did learn a few things! I know I did. That’s the beauty of volunteering I think, you get so much more out of it than you could ever put in.

Jill
USA

My 4 month stay high in the Peruvian Andes was ‘estupendo’. None of it would have been possible without the Delgado family. I cannot thank them enough for everything they did for me. Myself and many others have been blown away by their warmth and generosity. I am probably most grateful for the time Luis and Sindy gave me to help my Spanish improve. It is fair to say I arrived as probably one of the worst Spanish speakers of the organization’s history with my extended knowledge existing of roughly 6 or 7 words. I became a very good actor and listener in my first few weeks! Leaving the mighty Andes was tough - I became quite attached to the incredible view of the 22,000 ft snow capped peaks of Huascaran.

Dan
England

My 11 year old daughter Lauren and I spent 5 months in the Delgado household and it really felt like we became part of the furniture. As a teacher Peru afforded me the opportunity to offer something back to the world, as well as providing me with some wonderful strategies to employ in returning to my classes in Australia. Lauren attended school in Huaraz and we certainly enjoyed the broad experiences we gained. Huaraz is great; the mountains are spectacular and the people are lovely.

Leoni
Australia

I’d like to thank the Delgado family for organizing all my placements and fabulous homestay accommodation. INABIF was a fantastic place to work. I was with the 5 year olds and learned all their names and little characters so saying goodbye proved really hard. It was also fun at the Language Center. My 9 months stay in Huaraz is something I’ll never forget.

Emma
England

Hola! I was a volunteer in Huaraz for two months in April/May 2007. I had a fantastic time and cannot wait to return. Firstly, the hospitality and warmth of Luis and his family was fantastic, and I felt settled very quickly. The town/city is great: a fantastic market, surprisingly amazing nightlife, wonderful people and loads to explore all around. As for the teaching, I was working in the Primary section of the Fe y Alegria school where I taught Basic English with Luis' daughter Sindy or by myself.

The best part of this has to be the children - they were so bright and full of joy. I also worked in the University Language Centre downtown 3 nights a week, which I really enjoyed, as I met lots of people of around my age.

When I went to Huaraz I had already studied Spanish in Guatemala and in the UK, but I was also very pleased that after just two months I felt very confident using Spanish in all situations. I thoroughly recommend Teach Huaraz Peru and hope to return myself as soon as possible.

Mark
England

I enjoyed a really wonderful 4 months with Teach Huaraz Peru and greatly appreciated the hospitality I was shown by the Delgado family throughout my stay. Teaching at Santa Rosa was an enriching experience. Everyone there was really kind, welcoming and grateful. The experience overall helped me as both a teacher and a person. I hope it does the same for any future volunteers.

Colleen
USA

I had such a good time the first time I decided to come back! Huaraz is a very small, safe and welcoming city where it is very easy to make friendships and really experience Peruvian life. I also feel that teach Huaraz Peru offers a very well organized and varied service. It is a very flexible organization with possibilities to work in many different environments. After finishing the trinity TEFL course Teach Peru gave me the opportunity to teach English to a very wide age group and students from very different economical backgrounds. I believe that this program would benefit people of all ages. Having prior knowledge of Spanish does help but other volunteers that have come with no Spanish at all have all really enjoyed themselves and picked up some Spanish on the way.

Jeff
England

My stay in Huaraz was only for a short 3 weeks but nonetheless was filled with so much! Huaraz is such a beautiful city that is filled with many surprises. Teaching in both Santa Rosa and INABIF was truly memorable. But the most significant thing from my time in both Huaraz and Peru was the unwavering generosity and warmth I received from all the Peruvians I met.

Amy
England

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in beautiful Huaraz and teaching was a truly amazing and memorable experience. The Delgado family made me feel so welcome in their home and treated me as their own daughter and sister during the 3 weeks of my placement. I look forward to the day when we can all meet again – hopefully soon!

Bridget
Scotland

The great American puppeteer Jim Henson had his principle character say something profound:

“There isn’t a word yet
For old friends you’ve just met.”

My wife Deborah and I were welcomed into the Delgado casa with such warmth we were able to relax completely. Many thanks go to Luis for all the sympathetic little things he did to make possible the work we managed to do in Huaraz. You’ve been a true brother; we’ll see each other again!

Roberto
USA

My husband Roberto and I were very satisfied with our experience in Huaraz. I hope that we helped the English speaking teachers as we really learned so much from them.

Thank you Luis for your patience, curiosity and time spent to arrange our voluntary work. We thoroughly enjoyed our time living with you and your family. We treasure many memories of long talks, delicious food and the daily life of such a close family. And Haydee what would we have done without you; your nurturing and guidance – how we were so spoiled by you!

We feel blessed to know that our lives have touched others and we’re richer for it.

Deborah
USA

Huaraz is such a beautiful city and everyone made me feel incredibly welcome during my 3 week stay. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching at both Santa Rosa and INABIF and found the children to be very warm, appreciative and affectionate. I certainly recommend this organization to anyone interested in volunteering in Peru.

Julia
England