Global Leadership Adventures: Peru - Service in the Sacred Valley

Discover Cusco, the heart of the ancient Inca Empire, a civilization shrouded in mystery and tradition. You will volunteer with local partners that work to improve the health and well-being of indigenous children.  On the weekends, you will explore the Sacred Valley and even hike to incredible Machu Picchu. The nearby Andes Mountains provide an impressive and awe-inspiring backdrop to your service work in the community, as the contrast between the stunning scenery and challenges faced by locals provides a framework under which teen volunteers can begin to see their own impact.

Our community service projects focus on improving public health for women and children. At one site, we work on a project to build clean-burning stoves to improve the respiratory health of women and children. Students will build a greenhouse at a local school that benefits both native children and their interaction with the environment. These vegetable gardens help to combat malnutrition in children and teach them about traditional medicinal plants.

The Quechua people of the Peruvian Andes are the direct descendents of the Inca Empire. We will learn firsthand about their unique and rich culture through Andean music and dance workshops, and interact with a shaman about traditional healing practices.Informally, you’ll experience the local culture through soccer games with local youth, meetings with farming communities and engaging discussions with non-profit organizations.